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Systematics and palaeoecology of a new fossil limpet (Patellogastropoda: Pectinodontidae) from Miocene hydrocarbon seep deposits, East Coast Basin, North Island, New Zealand with an overview of known fossil seep pectinodontids 

KRISTIAN P. SAETHER¹, CRISPIN T. S. LITTLE², BRUCE A. MARSHALL³ & KATHLEEN A. CAMPBELL⁴

¹ Geology, School of Environment, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland 1142, New Zealand, Email: k.saether@auckland.ac.nz (corresponding author); 

² School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom; 

³ Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, P.O. Box 467, 169 Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand; 

⁴ Geology, School of Environment, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. 

Abstract 

‘Serradonta’ kimberleyae n. sp. is described from Miocene-age hydrocarbon seep deposits in northern Hawke’s Bay, North Island, New Zealand. Pectinodontid limpets from fossil and modern hydrothermal vents and hydrocarbon seeps are reviewed and shell morphological distinctions are outlined between the two pectinodontid genera known from seeps: Bathyacmaea and Serradonta. It is suggested that the diagnosis of Bathyacmaea be emended to be more consistent with the shell morphology of the species currently included in it. The shell microstructure of ‘Serradonta’ kimberleyae is similar to that of modern pectino-dontid shells from the Hikurangi margin seeps, which may be congeneric. The palaeoecology of the new Miocene species is found to be similar to other fossil vent–seep patellogastropods, as well as species of Pectinodontidae that inhabit these environ-ments today. 

Key words: Bathyacmaea, Serradonta, cold seep, Hawke’s Bay, new species, Gastropoda

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