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Molluskenkunde | 137 | (1) | 1 – 73 | 30 plates | Frankfurt am Main, 27.06.2008

The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva,
with revision of the species described by Lamarck and by Chenu,
and notes on nomenclature
(Bivalvia: Pectinoidea: Spondylidae)

Yves Finet1 & Kevin L. Lamprell2†

Abstract

The Museum d’Histoire naturelle, Geneva, holds most of the historical Spondylus collections of
Lamarck, Delessert and Chenu. These collections have recently been curated by first author (YF).
Resulting from this work, 32 species have been isolated, photographed and records made of the
status of the species; the location of the original illustrations (if any), as well as comments by early
curators at the MHNG, are included. 14 species described by Chenu are listed from the Delessert
collection. 16 species described by Lamarck are catalogued from both the Lamarck and Delessert
collections. Additionally, 2 linnean species, Spondylus gaederopus and Spondylus regius, are also
listed, with comments on the material contained in the Lamarck/Delessert collection.
Comparison of the type of Spondylus ambiguus Chenu 1844 with that of Spondylus ictericus
Reeve 1856, indicates that the latter is a junior synonym of the former and therefore Spondylus
ambiguus is a prior name for that species.
Key words: Spondylus, Spondylidae, Lamarck, Chenu, type material, nomenclature, Muséum
de Genève.
eschweizerbartxxx sng-

Introduction

Curatorial work at the Zoological Museum, Univer-
sity of Copenhagen, has recently catalogued six speci-
mens of Spondylus from the Spengler and Moltke collec-
tion, which were figured in the Chemnitz Cabinet. This
has resulted in lectotypes being selected for Spondylus
foliaceus Schreibers 1793; Spondylus sinensis Schreib-
ers 1793; Spondylus squamosus Schreibers 1793 (Lam-
prell & W illan , 2000), Spondylus croceus S chreib -
ers 1793 and Spondylus nicobaricus Schreibers 1793
(Lamprell & Dekker, 2001). The Museum of Evolution,
Uppsala, Sweden, now houses a syntype of Spondylus
regius Linnaeus 1758 (previously housed in the Museum
Ludovicae Ulricae); this specimen was selected as lecto-
type by Lamprell & Dekker, 2001.
The present paper, in isolating the historical speci-
mens of that same period housed in the MHNG is of
major importance in establishing the nomenclature for
many Spondylid taxa. The study of the species described
by Lamarck in the collection of the MHNG is great-
ly facilitated by the handwritten annotations made by
Lamarck’s daughter Rosalie de Lamarck in the margin
of the original volumes of Anim. Sans Vert. which per-
tained to Lamarck. These notes and comments state how
many specimens were originally in her father’s collec-

Authors’ addresses:
1
Dr. Yves Finet, Museum d’Histoire naturelle, Geneva, Case Postale 6434, CH –1211 Geneve 6, Switzerland; yves.finet@ville-ge.ch
2
Kevin L. Lamprell, Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia

© E. Schweizerbart’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung (Nägele u. Obermiller), 2008, ISSN 0003–9284

 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva
tion, and are thus important in deciding which specimens
were those chosen by Lamarck for his descriptions.
History of Lamarck and Delessert collections
Jean Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet, Comte de
Lamarck (to give him his full title) was appointed Pro-
fessor of Zoology in the natural History Museum in
Paris. His collection of shells was one of renown but
the Paris Museum in France could not purchase it when
Lamarck was approaching the end of his life. We know
he tried to sell it to the Museum, as his daughter Rosa-
lie de Lamarck prepared the collection for sale, using
Lamarck’s own volumes of Anim. Sans Vert. as a sale
catalogue by making handwritten annotations in the mar-
gin. This detailed the quantity of specimens present in
the collection for each species listed. But personal and
political problems and antagonisms like the one oppos-
ing Lamarck and Cuvier, prevented the Paris Museum
from buying the collection. After Lamarck’s death, the
collection was sold to Prince Masséna, L.C. Kiener be-
coming its scientific curator. In 1840, it was acquired by
Baron Jules Paul Benjamin Delessert (Dance, 1986;
Cailliez, 1995; Cailiez & Finet, 1997), who incorpo-
rated it in his own collection, which already held several
collections of different origins. Jean-Charles Chenu (a
medical practitioner) later replaced Kiener as curator
of the malacological collections of Delessert. Chenu
eschweizerbartxxx sng-
became a well-known malacologist, who edited the fa-
mous Illustrations Conchyliologiques ou Description
et figures de toutes les coquilles connues, vivantes et
fossiles, among many other publications. Many shells
from the Delessert collection were eventually described
as new species by Chenu, and figured by him in these
volumes. The collection of Benjamin Delessert was
then the largest private collection of molluscan shells in
the world, even outnumbering the malacological collec-
tions of the Paris Museum! Delessert illustrated many
specimens from Lamarck in his “Recueil de coquilles
décrites par Lamarck dans son Histoire naturelle des
Anim. Sans Vert., et non encore figurées” (Delessert
1841). When he died in 1847, the collection became the
property of his brother François Delessert who retained
it for twenty years, until his death in 1868. There was
then another attempt to allow the collection to go to the
Paris Museum, however we understand that the director
in charge of the Museum, Lacaze-Duthiers, was too
busy with the construction and funding of the biologi-
cal research station at Roscoff, Brittany to consider the
proposition. The Delessert family had close and friendly
scientific relationships with several scientists of renown
in Geneva, among them Pictet de la Rive (1809–1872),
chief zoologist at the Academic Museum of the City of
Geneva, as well as with the famous botanist Alphonse
de Candolle (1806–1893). In addition, the Delessert
family was of Swiss origin from Canton de Vaud near
Lausanne, with one of the two daughters of François De-
lessert, Caroline, also married to a Swiss banker named
Hottinguer. Their combined efforts led to the acquisition
of the Delessert collection by the Academic Museum of
the City of Geneva, ancestor of the current Museum of
Natural History, in 1869.
A collation of Chenu’s “Illustrations Conchyli-
ologiques” for the genus Spondylus
Sherborn & Smith (1911) have published a complete
collation of Chenu’s “Illustrations Conchyliologiques”.
We hereby provide an excerpt of this collation for the
genus Spondylus, with the actual dates of description for
the different parts that include Spondylus species.
parts 8–10 (10. viii. 1843): Spondylus, pl. 6: 1843.
parts 14, 15 (undated): Spondylus, pls. 16–18: 1843.
parts 16–19 (7. xii. 1843): Spondylus, pls. 1–2, 7–10,
20: 1843.
parts 20–22 (7. iii. 1844): Spondylus, pls. 3, 11–13, 19,
21–22: 1844.
parts 23, 24 (5. vi. 1844): Spondylus, pls. 14, 23: 1844.
part 25 (undated): Spondylus, pls. 4, 5, 15, 24–26: 1844.
parts 26, 27 (5. vi. 1844): Spondylus, pls. 28, 29: 1844.
parts 29, 30 (26. vii. 1844): Spondylus, pls. 27, 30:
1844.
parts 38, 39, 43 (12. vi. 1845): Spondylus, pp. 1–9, pls.
31–32: 1845.
Abbreviations used in the text.
Anim. Sans Vert. = Animaux sans Vertèbres
Illustr. Conchyl. = Illustrations Conchyliologiques.
MHNG = Museum d’Histoire naturelle, Geneva
MNHN = Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris
pv = pair of valves
lv = left valve (upper valve)
rv = right valve (lower valve)
N o t e : On the plates, the measurements for the valves
are given. In case there are any long protruding spines
or foliaceus expansions that are projecting much beyond
the regular edge of the shell, they are not included in the
dimensions given; H = height from dorsal beak to ventral
edge, L = length from anterior to posterior edge of valve.
Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva 
The species
Spondylus albus Chenu 1844 (non Sowerby 1847, nec
Schreibers 1793)
Plate 1, Figs 1–2
1844–45 Spondylus albus Chenu: 5 (1845), pl. 28 fig. 5–5 a
(June 5 1844).
1938 Spondylus albus, – Lamy: 208.
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les mers de l’Inde”.
Material in MHNG: Delessert collection:
Syntype MHNG 30634 (figured herein, Plate 1 Figs 1–2), fig-
ured by Chenu, pl. 28, fig. 5–5 a, locality „Océan Indien“.
Syntypes MHNG 30631 (1 pv), MHNG 30632 (1 pv), MHNG
30633 (3 pv).
R e m a r k s : Spondylus albus is a validation by Chenu
of the earlier non-binomial description by Chemnitz
(Conchylien Cabinet, Vol. 9 (1786), 1 st part: 143, pl.
115 figs 988–990). Actually, both the figured specimens
of Chemnitz, and the material of Chenu should be con-
sidered type specimens. According to the ICZN (article
72.4.4), if a species description “is made available by a
bibliographic reference to a description or definition as-
sociated with an unavailable name, [the type series] con-
sists of or includes the specimen or specimens denoted by
that unavailable name.” Since the text states “or” (“con-
sists of, OR includes”), it means that the type series can
eschweizerbartxxx sng-
also include other specimens available to the author, not
just the original Chemnitz’ specimen(s). Article 72.5.6 of
ICZN also clarifies that the type series is the specimen
illustrated, not the illustration itself (a change from prior
practice). Finally, article 73.2.1 explains that syntypes in-
clude “specimens not seen by the author but which form
the bases of previously published descriptions or illustra-
tions upon which the author founded the new nominal
species-group taxon in whole or in part.” This confirms in
our case that Chemnitz’ specimens can be syntypes, even
if the author had other specimens (“in whole or in part”).
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus echinatus Schreibers 1793.
Spondylus ambiguus Chenu 1844
Plate 1, Figs 3–4
1844–45 Spondylus ambiguus Chenu: 5 (1845), pl. 28 fig. 1–
1 a (June 5 1844).
1938 Spondylus ambiguus, – Lamy: 285.
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les mers d’Amérique”.
Material in MHNG: Delessert collection:
Holotype MHNG 30638 (figured herein, Plate 1 Figs. 3–4),
figured by Chenu, pl. 28 fig. 1–1 a; locality on the label:
“Amérique”.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : Comparison
of the type of Spondylus ambiguus with that of Spondy-
lus ictericus Reeve 1856, BMNH 1998091/1, indicates
that the later is a synonym of the former and therefore
Spondylus ambiguus is a prior name for that species.
Spondylus americanus Lamarck 1819
Plates 2–6, Figs 5‑25
1816 Lamarck: pl. 195, figs 1, 2 (figures only).
1819 Spondylus americanus Lamarck: 188, sp. n° 2.
1844–45 Spondylus americanus, – Chenu: 3 (1845), pl. 3 figs
1 to 3 (March 7 1844), pl. 4 figs 1 to 5 (1844), pl.
5 figs 1 to 3 (1844).
1938 Spondylus americanus, – Lamy: 277.
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les mers d’Amérique, à Saint-
Domingue”.
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection:
5 lots totalling 9 specimens, all with loc. “Amérique” on the
labels: MHNG 1088/88 (1 pv) (figured herein, Plate 2, Figs
5–6), figured by Chenu, pl. 4 fig. 4; MHNG 1088/89 (1 pv)
(figured herein, Plate 2 Figs 7–8), not figured in earlier litera-
ture, with a handwritten inscription by Lamarck on the inner
side of the shell; MHNG 1088/90/1-4 (4 pv) (figured herein,
Plates 3–4 Figs 9–17), none figured in earlier literature, with
a label by Lamarck, bearing the name “Spondylus america-
nus, Chemn. 7, t. 45, f. 465”; MHNG 1088/91 (1 pv) (figured
herein, Plate 5 Figs 18–19), figured by Chenu, pl. 5 fig. 2;
MHNG 1088/92/1-2 (var. b or c): 2 pv (figured herein, Plates
5–6 Figs 20–25, one of them (1088/92/1) figured by Chenu,
pl. 3 fig. 2–2 a. — D e l e s s e r t c o l l e c t i o n : 7 specimens,
all figured by Chenu, and with “Amérique” as locality on the
labels: MHNG 30683, 1 pv of “var. c”, figured by Chenu, pl.
4 fig. 5–5 a; MHNG 30684, 1 pv, figured by Chenu, pl. 3 fig.
1–1 a; MHNG 30685, 1 pv of “var. c”, figured by Chenu, pl.
5 fig. 1–1 a; MHNG 30690, 1 pv, probably figured by Chenu,
pl. 4 fig. 2; MHNG 30691, 1 pv, figured by Chenu, pl. 4 fig.
1–1 a; MHNG 30693, 1 pv, figured by Chenu, pl. 4, fig. 3.
MHNG 30697: 1 pv, figured by Chenu, pl. 3, fig. 3.
R e m a r k s : In the Lamarck collection, the speci-
mens illustrated by Chenu are easily identifiable, but
this is not the case when comparisons are made with the
two Lamarck figures in the “Encyclopédie Méthodique”
(pl. 195, figs 1–2). None of the specimens present in the
Lamarck collection seem to have been illustrated with
Lamarck’s original description. In the original volumes
of Anim. Sans Vert. which pertained to Lamarck, his
daughter Rosalie made an annotation mentioning only
5 specimens (instead of 9) in her father’s original collec-
tion. The specimens currently in the Lamarck collection
thus have a questionable type status.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus americanus Hermann 1781.
 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva
Spondylus arachnoides Lamarck 1819
Plate 6, Figs 26‑28
1819 Spondylus arachnoides Lamarck: 188, sp. n° 3.
1844–45 Spondylus arachnoides, – Chenu: pl. 5 fig. 4–4 a
(1844), 3 (1845).
1938 Spondylus arachnoides, – Lamy: 281 (under discus-
sion of Spondylus americanus).
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les mers d’Amérique”.
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection:
Probable holotype MHNG 1088/94 (figured herein, Plate 6,
Figs 26–28), figured by Chenu, pl. 5 fig. 4–4 a; locality on the
label: “Amérique”.
R e m a r k s : In the original volumes of Anim. Sans
Vert., an annotation by Rosalie de Lamarck states that
there was only 1 specimen in her father’s collection. In
the current Lamarck collection, MHNG 1088/94 was
the probable holotype, figured by Chenu, pl. 5 fig. 4–4 a.
According to G. Mermod, a former curator at the MHNG
(manuscript note with the specimen, dated 02.1947),
this specimen was formerly in the Delessert collection,
and labelled “Spondylus americanus Lk.”, together with
3 other shells. As the original type of Lamarck was not
found elsewhere, and as this specimen matches well the
description, Mermod recognised it as the probable type.
Lamy (1938: 277, 281) considered the species as a syno-
nym of S. americanus.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus americanus Hermann 1781.
eschweizerbartxxx sng-
Spondylus aurantius Lamarck 1819
Plates 7–8, Figs 29‑35
1816 Lamarck: pl. 191, fig. 3 (figure only).
1819 Spondylus aurantius Lamarck: 192, sp. n° 18.
1844–45 Spondylus aurantius, – Chenu: 5 (1845), pl. 23 figs
2 to 4 (June 5 1844).
1938 Spondylus aurantius, – Lamy: 192.
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les mers de la Chine, etc.”.
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection:
Probable syntype MHNG 1089/12 (figured herein, Plate 7 Figs
29–31), figured by Chenu, pl. 23 fig. 2–2 a; locality on the la-
bel: “Amérique” (in error). Another possible syntype is MHNG
1089/11. — D e l e s s e r t c o l l e c t i o n : 13 lots totalling
17 specimens, all with “Océan Indien” or without locality in-
dicated on the labels: MHNG 30784, 30785, 30786, 30787,
30788, 30790, 30791, 30792, 30793, 30794, 30795, 30796 &
30797. MHNG 30796 (figured herein, Plate 7 Figs 32a, b) is a
right valve figured by Chenu on pl. 23 fig. 4 a. MHNG 30797 is
1 pv (figured herein, Plate 8 Figs 33–35) and was figured by
Chenu on pl. 23 fig. 3.
R e m a r k s : The specimen MHNG 1089/12 bears a
“18” handwritten annotation by Lamarck (now almost en-
tirely faded) on the inner side of both valves. Lamy (1938:
192–193) stated that a specimen identified by Lamarck,
corresponding to fig. 2 (pl. 23) of Chenu, is in Paris Mu-
seum. However, it could be that the Paris specimen cor-
responds well to the species illustrated by Chenu, but is
not necessarily the same shell. There is no doubt that the
specimen illustrated by Chenu is MHNG 1089/12.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus versicolor Schreibers 1793.
Spondylus avicularis Lamarck 1819
Plate 8, Figs 36‑38
1819 Spondylus avicularis Lamarck: 190, sp. n° 10.
1844–45 Spondylus avicularis, – Chenu: 4 (1845), pl. 13 fig. 2
(March 7 1844).
1938 Spondylus avicularis, – Lamy: 277, 281 (under syn-
onymy and discussion of Spondylus americanus).
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “Océan indien”.
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection:
most probable holotype MHNG 1088/95 (figured herein, Plate
8 Figs 36–38), also figured by Chenu, pl. 13 Figs 2, 2 a, 2 b;
locality on the label: “Amérique”. — D e l e s s e r t c o l l e c -
t i o n : 7 unfigured specimens (none of them with a locality
indicated on the labels): MHNG 30908, 30909, 30910, 30911,
30912, 30914, 30916.
R e m a r k s : In the original volumes of Anim. Sans
Vert., an annotation by Rosalie de Lamarck states that
there was 1 specimen in her father’s collection. The
specimen currently in the Lamarck collection bears a
handwritten annotation (“10”) by Lamarck near the
hinge. Lamy (1938: 277, 281) considered the species as a
synonym of S. americanus.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus americanus Hermann 1781.
Spondylus coccineus Lamarck 1819, non Schreibers
1793
Plate 9, Figs 39–40
1819 Spondylus coccineus Lamarck: 190, sp. n° 11.
1844–45 Spondylus coccineus, – Chenu: 4 (1845), pl. 14 figs
1 to 5 (June 5 1844), pl. 15 figs 1 to 3 (1844), pl.
25 fig. 2–2 a (1844).
1938 Spondylus coccineus, – Lamy: 203.
1993 Spondylus punicus Bernard, Cai & Morton: 55 (no-
men novum pro coccineus Lamarck).
T y p e l o c a l i t y : none.
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection:
probable holotype MHNG 1088/96 (figured herein, Plate 9 Figs
39–40), with a handwritten label by Lamarck, and figured by
Chenu, pl. 15 fig. 3–3 a; the locality on a more recent label is
“Amérique ?”. — O t h e r m a t e r i a l : MHNG 1089/1, with
a (faded) inscription inside the valves stating that it is species
# 11 (in Anim. Sans Vert.), figured by Chenu, pl. 15 fig. 2–2 a
(no type status); locality: “Amér.”. — D e l e s s e r t c o l l e c -
t i o n : 11 lots totalling 12 specimens; MHNG 31187: 1 speci-
men, figured by Chenu, pl. 15 fig. 1–1 a, locality “Amérique”;
Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva 
MHNG 31188: 1 specimen of “var. a”, figured by Chenu, pl.
14 fig. 4–4 a, locality “Amérique” with a comment (dated 1947)
by G. Mermod accompanying this specimen, stating (free Eng-
lish translation) “According to Lamy, 1938, p. 203, it could be
the type of Lamarck, var. a (from the Defrance collection)”;
MHNG 31189: 1 specimen of “var. b”, figured by Chenu, pl.
14 fig. 1–1 a, locality “Amérique”; MHNG 31190: 1 speci-
men of “var. b”, figured by Chenu, pl. 14 fig. 2–2 a, locality
“Amérique”; MHNG 31191: 1 specimen of “”ar. b”, figured by
Chenu, pl. 14 fig. 3–3 a, locality “Amérique”; MHNG 31192: 1
specimen of “var. c”, figured by Chenu, pl. 14 fig. 5–5 a, locality
“Amérique”; MHNG 31193: 1 specimen of “var. c”, figured by
Chenu, pl. 25 fig. 2–2 a, locality “Amérique”. Also material not
figured by Chenu: MHNG 31194 (1 specimen), without locality,
MHNG 31195: (2 spms), no locality, MHNG 31196 (1 spm),
locality “Amérique”, MHNG 31197: 1 spm, no locality.
R e m a r k s : In the original volumes of Anim. Sans
Vert., an annotation by Rosalie de Lamarck states that
there was 1 specimen in her father’s collection. An
original handwritten label accompanies the specimen
1088/96 currently in the Lamarck collection. There is
no type locality indicated. A more recent label with the
specimen states “Amérique ?” as possible locality. An-
other specimen is also currently in the Lamarck collec-
tion: MHNG 1089/1; it bears a (faded) inscription (by
Lamarck ?) inside the valves (“species 11”), but it does
not seem to have type status, although it is undoubtedly
the shell figured by Chenu on pl. 15 fig. 2–2 a.
Extract from Lamprell, Stanisic & Clarkson, 2001:
“Spondylus coccineus Lamarck (non Schreibers 1793)
was briefly described by Lamarck (188, sp. 11), without
a stated locality. Examination of the Lamarck specimen
eschweizerbartxxx sng-
marked Spondylus coccineus in the MNHN showed a pear-
shaped spondylid with narrow, oblique auricles and densely
radially ribbed with ribs devoid of ornamentation probably
due to age and deterioration; internally off-white with a
raised crenulate, dark coloured margin. A specimen in the
MHNG is marked ‘Spondylus coccineus Lk. Type’ with the
locality ‘Amérique?’ (Chenu fig. 15/3), n° 11, registration
number MHNG1088/96. The specimen is ovate, with wide
interstices and strong, sparse spines on the 5 or 6 principal
ribs. The colour is tan-brown with a light orange coloured
internal crenulated margin. The specimen bears a strong
resemblance to Spondylus gilvus Reeve. Bernard, Cai &
Morton (1993) listed the species as occurring in China
without giving reference to which type specimen they based
their identification on, and gave the distribution as “Indian
Ocean, Philippines, South and East China to Okinawa”.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : Spondylus
punicus Bernard, Cai & Morton 1993, is a nomen no-
vum for the preoccupied name of Lamarck.
Spondylus costatus Lamarck 1819
Plate 9, Figs 41–43
1819 Spondylus costatus Lamarck: 189, sp. n° 6.
1844–45 Spondylus costatus, – Chenu: 3 (1845), pl. 22 figs
1 to 3 (March 7 1844).
1938 Spondylus costatus, – Lamy: 294 (under synonymy of
Spondylus foliaceus Chemnitz).
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “la mer Rouge, les mers de l’Inde
et de la Chine”.
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection:
probable holotype MHNG 1088/97 (figured herein, Plate
9 Figs 41–43), with a handwritten label by Lamarck; figured
by Chenu, pl. 22 fig. 3–3 a; locality on the label: “Oc. indien”.
— D e l e s s e r t c o l l e c t i o n : 3 specimens. MHNG 31223:
1 specimen, figured by Chenu, pl. 22 fig. 1–1 a, locality “Oc
indien”; MHNG 31224: 1 specimen, figured by Chenu, pl.
22 fig. 2–2 a, locality “Oc. indien”; MHNG 31225: 1 specimen
(not figured), without locality.
R e m a r k s : In the original volumes of Anim. Sans
Vert., an annotation by Rosalie de Lamarck states that
there was 1 specimen of the main species in her father’s
collection, and 2 specimens of the variety [b]. For the
latter, Lamarck indicated also “Mus. n°”, which means
collection of the Paris Museum. An original handwrit-
ten label accompanies the specimen 1088/97 currently
in the Lamarck collection. A more recent label with the
specimen states “Oc. indien” as the locality. Lamy (1938:
293–296) placed S. costatus in synonymy with S. fo-
liaceus Chemnitz, and recognized a type in the collection
of the Museum of Paris (see pp. 295– 296); it probably
refers to the variety b (then not a true type, according to
ICZN), as Lamarck stated that there were specimens of
the var. b in Paris Museum, but only 1 specimen of the
main variety in “his cabinet”, hence the status of prob-
able holotype in MHNG.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus foliaceus Schreibers 1793.
Spondylus crassisquama Lamarck 1819
Plate 10, Figs 44–46
1816 Lamarck: pl. 192, fig. 2 (figure only).
1819 Spondylus crassisquama Lamarck: 191, sp. n° 12.
1843–45 Spondylus crassisquama, – Chenu: 4 (1845), pl. 6 figs
1 to 3 (August 10 1843), pl. 11 figs 3 & 4 (March 7
1844), pl. 29 fig. 1 (June 5 1844), pl. 31 fig. 3 (June
12 1845).
1938 Spondylus crassisquama, – Lamy: 288 (under syn-
onymy of Spondylus pictorum Chemnitz).
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les mers de l’Inde”.
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection:
Possible holotype MHNG 1089/5, an odd valve (figured herein,
Plate 10 fig. 44); figured by Chenu, pl. 6 fig. 2; locality on
the label: “Oc. indien”. — Other material: MHNG 1088/98
(figured herein, Plate 10 Figs 45–46), a complete specimen of
var. b, with a handwritten inscription by Lamarck on the inner
side of the valves; figured by Chenu, pl. 11 fig. 4–4 a; locality
on the label: “Oc. indien”. — D e l e s s e r t c o l l e c t i o n :
4 specimens; MHNG 31226: 1 specimen, figured by Chenu, pl.
29 fig. 1–1 a, locality “Oc. indien ou Amérique, Oc. Pacifique
?”; MHNG 31227: 1 specimen, figured by Chenu, pl. 6 fig.
 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

3–3 a, locality “Colombie ?”; MHNG 31228: 1 specimen, fig- 1089/10 in the Lamarck collection bears handwritten an-
ured by Chenu, pl. 11 fig. 3–3 a, locality “Mers de l’Inde, Oc. notations by Lamarck on the inner side of the valves, and
indien ou Pacifique ?”; MHNG 31229: 1 specimen, figured by is accompanied by a handwritten label by Lamarck stating
Chenu, pl. 6 fig. 1–1 a, locality “Oc. Pacifique”.
“Spondylus croceus n. Chemn. 7 t. 45. f. 463”, Loc.: “Oc.
Indien ?”. It is probably the original specimen of Lamarck,
R e m a r k s : In the original volumes of Anim. Sans
and thus probably a syntype, together with earlier Chem-
Vert., an annotation by Rosalie de Lamarck states that
nitz’ specimens, as croceus is a validation of Chemnitz’
there was 1 odd valve of the main species in her father’s
name (ICZN 72.4.4, 72.5.6, and 73.2.1; see also the discus-
collection, and 1 specimen of the variety [b], although
sion under Spondylus albus Chenu, another validation of an
for the latter, Lamarck indicated also “Mus. n°” (Paris
earlier description by Chemnitz). The earlier non-binomial
Museum). There is also a comment by G. Mermod ac-
description is by Chemnitz (Conchylien Cabinet, Vol. 7
companying this specimen, stating (free English trans-
(1784): 77, pl. 45 fig. 463).
lation from French) (March 10, 1947): “This specimen
However, one has to note that specimen MHNG
does not bear any visible sign and is not accompanied by
1089/10 does not match Lamarck’s illustration in the En-
any original label which would certify that it pertained to
cyclopédie Méthodique (pl. 191, fig. 4), as indicated by
the Lamarck original collection; but the fact that there is
Chenu (Illustr. Conchyl. text, p. 4). It is neither the speci-
only 1 odd valve, exactly matches the handwritten anno-
men figured by Chenu on pl. 24 fig. 6, nor on pl. 27 fig.
tation by Rosalie de Lamarck in our copy of Anim. Sans
1 (the latter being in the Delessert collection in MHNG).
Vert., vol. 7 p. 191”. The specimen MHNG 1088/98 of
Lamy (1938: 199–200) mentioned other shells labelled
the Lamarck collection, figured by Chenu on pl. 11 fig.
“croceus” by Lamarck personally in the Paris Museum.
4–4 a, and bearing a handwritten annotation by Lamarck
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
inside the valves, is likely the “type” of the var. b in-
Spondylus croceus Schreibers 1793.
dicated by Rosalie de Lamarck, although it should be
noted that, according to the ICZN, an original specimen
of a variety has no actual type status. Spondylus delesserti Chenu 1844
According to Lamy (1938: 288), S. crassisquama is Plate 12, Fig. 51
a synonym of S. pictorum Chemnitz (= Spondylus fo-
1844–45 Spondylus delessertii Chenu: 5 (1845), pl. 12 (March
liaceus Schreibers 1793) (based on Chemnitz 1784: 85, 7 1844).
pl. 46 figs 472–473). 1938 Spondylus delesserti, – Lamy: 299 (as synonym of
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of Spondylus varius).
Spondylus foliaceus Schreibers 1793. eschweizerbartxxx sng-
1997 Spondylus delesserti, – Cailliez & Finet: 25, pl. 3 figs
1–2.
Spondylus croceus Lamarck 1819
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les mers de l’Inde”.
Plate 11, Figs 47–50
Material in MHNG: Delessert collection:
1816 Lamarck: pl. 191, fig. 4 (figure only).
2 specimens, both from “Mers de l’Inde”. MHNG 31240, 1 odd
1819 Spondylus croceus Lamarck: 192, sp. n° 17.
valve (figured herein, Plate 12 fig. 51), not figured by Chenu,
1844–45 Spondylus croceus, – Chenu: 4 (1845), pl. 24 fig. 6
figured in Cailliez & Finet, 1997: 25, pl. 3 fig. 1; no type
(1844), pl. 27 fig. 1 (July 26 1844).
status. A comment (dated 1947) by G. Mermod accompanies
1938 Spondylus croceus, – Lamy: 199.
this specimen, stating (free English translation): “It is not the
original from Chenu (pl. 12), the details do not correspond”.
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “Océan indien”. MHNG 31241, 1 odd valve (not figured by Chenu), figured in
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection: Cailliez & Finet (1997: 25, pl. 3 fig. 2); no type status. An at-
MHNG 1089/10 (figured herein, Plate 11 Figs 47–48), not fig- tached comment by G. Mermod also states (free English trans-
ured in earlier literature, bearing handwritten inscriptions by lation): “It is not the original from Chenu (pl. 12), the details
Lamarck inside the valves, and accompanied by a handwritten do not correspond”.
label by Lamarck with the locality “Oc. indien ?”. This specimen
is a probable syntype (see remarks hereunder). — D e l e s s e r t R e m a r k s : The MHNG should hold the type figured
c o l l e c t i o n : 4 specimens, all with “Océan indien” as local- by Chenu on his pl. 12 (see Chenu 1845: 5: “Collection
ity. MHNG 31231: 1 specimen (figured herein, Plate 11 Figs de M. Benj. Delessert”), but it is not currently in its col-
49–50), figured by Chenu, pl. 27 fig. 1–1 a, locality on the label
lections. According to Lamy (: 299), it could be in the
“Oc. indien”; not figured material: MHNG 31232 (1 specimen),
MHNG 31233 (1 specimen), MHNG 31234 (1 specimen).
MNHN, Paris.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus varius Sowerby 1829.
R e m a r k s : In the first edition of Anim. Sans Vert. (spe-
cies # 17, vol. 6, p. 192), Rosalie de Lamarck (handwritten
annotation) indicated the presence of 1 specimen in the Spondylus dentatus Chenu 1844
personal collection of her father. Current specimen MHNG Plate 13, Figs 54–58
Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva 
1844–45 Spondylus dentatus Chenu: 5 (1845), pl. 25 fig. 1
(1844), pl. 27 fig. 2 (July 26 1844).
1938 Spondylus dentatus, – Lamy: 190 (under synonymy of
Spondylus aculeatus).
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “Nouvelle-Hollande ?”.
Material in MHNG: Delessert collection:
2 syntypes, both from “Australie”. Syntype MHNG 31242 (fig-
ured herein, Plate 13 Figs 54–55), figured by Chenu, Illustr. Con-
chyl., pl. 25 fig. 1–1 a. Syntype MHNG 31243 (figured herein,
Plate 13 Figs 56–58), figured by Chenu, pl. 27 fig. 2–2 a.
R e m a r k s : It should be noted that only the lot
MHNG 31242 was labelled “TYPE” by G. Mermod.
However, as Chenu (: 5) did not explicitly indicate pres-
ence of a holotype, both specimens should be regarded
as syntypes, as both were original specimens figured by
him.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus spinosus Schreibers 1793.
Spondylus ducalis Lamarck 1819
Plate 12, Figs 52–53, Plate 14–15, Figs 59–68
1816 Lamarck: pl. 193, fig. 2 a–b (figure only).
1819 Spondylus ducalis Lamarck: 191, sp. n° 14.
1843–45 Spondylus ducalis, – Chenu: 4 (1845), pl. 8 figs 2–3
(December 7 1843), pl. 9 figs 3–4 (December 7 1843).
1845 Spondylus muricatus, – Chenu: 6 (1845) (refers to pl.
8 fig. 3).
1845 Spondylus lamarckii, – Chenu: 6 (1845) (refers to pl.
9 figs 3–4).
eschweizerbartxxx sng-
1938 Spondylus ducalis, – Lamy: 208.
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “l’Océan des grandes Indes”.
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection:
Syntype MHNG 1089/3 (1 pv) (figured herein, Plate 14 Figs
59–60), with a handwritten inscription by Lamarck inside the
valves stating that it is species 14 (in Anim. Sans Vert.); one
valve figured by Chenu, pl. 8 fig. 2; locality on the label: “Oc.
Indien”. Probable syntypes MHNG 1089/4/1–2 (2 pv) (figured
herein, Plate 12 Figs 52–53; pl. 14 Figs 61–62), also bearing
a handwritten inscription by Lamarck (now faded) inside the
valves stating that it is Lamarck’s species # 14; it was not
figured by Chenu; locality on the label: “Oc. Indien”; MHNG
1089/7, a specimen of “var. b”, not figured by Chenu either;
locality on the label: “Oc. Indien”. According to the ICZN,
original specimens of varieties have no type status. — D e l e s -
s e r t c o l l e c t i o n : 5 lots present (including 6 specimens),
labeled as Spondylus ducalis + probably one missing (all with
“Oc. Indien” as locality). Most of them were not figured by
Chenu: MHNG 31244 (2 specimens), MHNG 31245 (1 spm),
MHNG 31246 (1 empty box: specimen[s] missing), MHNG
31247 (1 spm), MHNG 31253 (1 spm); MHNG 31251 (figured
herein, Plate 15 Figs 63–66) was figured by Chenu on pl. 9 fig.
4–4 a and is 1 specimen of “var. b” (locality on the label: also
“Oc. Indien”). — Other material: 4 other lots were labeled
as “Spondylus muricatus Chemnitz”: MHNG 31512 (figured
herein, Plate 15 Figs 67–68): 1 specimen, figured by Chenu as
Spondylus ducalis on pl. 8 fig. 3–3 a, locality labelled “Amér.
?”. The 3 other lots contain material not figured by Chenu:
MHNG 31513 (1 specimen), locality on the label “Oc. Indien”;
MHNG 31514 (1 spm), locality “Oc. Indien”; MHNG 31515
(1 empty box: specimen[s] missing), locality “Oc. Indien”.
R e m a r k s : In the original volumes of Anim. Sans
Vert., there is an annotation by Rosalie de Lamarck stat-
ing that there were 6 specimens of the main species in her
father’s collection, plus 1 specimen of the “var. b”. An
old label with specimen MHNG 1089/7 states that this
var. b is a synonym of Spondylus lamarcki Chenu 1843
(see also Chenu: 6 and pl. 9, figs 3 & 4). Chenu figured
also S. ducalis on pl. 9 fig. 3–3 a; this specimen is in the
Lamarck collection, where it is now the type of Spondy-
lus lamarcki Chenu 1843. In his text Chenu indicated
pl. 9 figs 3, 4 for S. lamarcki, but the caption for figs 3
& 4 on pl. 9 says “S. ducalis”. The specimen figured by
Chenu on pl. 8 fig. 3–3 a is in the Delessert collection
(MHNG 31512), but under the name S. muricatus Chem-
nitz (which is not a valid name). Other lots are registered
as “S. muricatus Chemnitz” in the Delessert collection of
the MHNG, but were not figured as such by Chenu: 4 lots
totalling 3 specimens, one box being empty, the speci-
mens missing (see above, Delessert collection).
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus sinensis Schreibers 1793.
Spondylus excavatus Chenu 1844
Plate 16, Figs 69–72
1844–45 Spondylus excavatus Chenu: 5 (1845), pl. 29 fig. 2
(June 5 1844).
1938 Spondylus excavatus, – Lamy: 304 (under discussion
of Spondylus pacificus).
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les îles du Cap Vert”.
Material in MHNG: Delessert collection:
Holotype MHNG 31252 (figured herein, Plate 16, Figs 69–72),
figured by Chenu, pl. 29 fig. 2–2 a–2 b; locality on the label
“Iles du Cap Vert”.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : Valid species.
Spondylus gaederopus Linnaeus 1758
(Not figured)
1758 Spondylus gaederopus Linnaeus: 1136.
1791 Spondylus gaederopus, – Gmelin: 3296.
1816 Lamarck: pl. 190, fig. 1 a–b (figure only).
1819 Spondylus gaederopus, – Lamarck: 188, sp. n° 1.
1843–45 Spondylus gaederopus, – Chenu: 3 (1845), pl. 1 figs
1 to 4 (December 7 1843), pl. 2 figs 1 to 5 (December
7 1843).
1938 Spondylus gaederopus, – Lamy: 183.
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “in M. Mediterraneo”.
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection:
3 specimens, all with “Méditerranée” as locality on the the la-
bels. MHNG 1088/85, figured by Chenu, pl. 1 fig. 1–1 a. MHNG
 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva
1088/86, an odd valve, not figured. MHNG 1088/90, an odd valve,
figured by Chenu, pl. 2 fig. 5. — Delessert collection: 15 lots to-
talling 21 specimens, all with “Méditerranée” as locality on the
labels. Material figured: MHNG 31256, 1 specimen, figured by
Chenu, pl. 1 fig. 2; MHNG 31257, 1 specimen, figured by Chenu,
pl. 2 fig. 2; MHNG 31258, 1 specimen, figured by Chenu, pl.
1 fig. 3; MHNG 31260, 1 specimen, figured by Chenu, pl. 1 fig.
4. Material not figured: MHNG 31255 (1 odd valve), MHNG
31259 (1 specimen), MHNG 31261 (4 specimens), MHNG 31262
(1 spm), MHNG 31263 (1 spm), MHNG 31264 (1 spm), MHNG
31265 (1 spm), MHNG 31266 (1 spm), MHNG 31267 (1 spm),
MHNG 31268 (2 spms), MHNG 31345 (3 spms).
R e m a r k s : In the original volumes of Anim. Sans
Vert., an annotation by Rosalie de Lamarck states that
there were 4 specimens in her father’s collection, but of
course they have no type status. The Lamarck collection
currently contains 3 specimens (see above).
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : Valid species.
Spondylus gracilis Chenu 1844
Plate 16, Figs 73–74
1844–45 Spondylus gracilis Chenu: 5 (1845), pl. 26 fig. 1 (1844).
1938 Spondylus gracilis, – Lamy: 271 (under discussion of
Spondylus lima), 273 (under discussion of Spondylus
castus).
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “la mer des Indes”.
Material in MHNG: Delessert collection:
Holotype MHNG 31349 (figured herein, Plate 16, Figs 73–74),
figured by Chenu on pl. 26 fig. 1–1 a–1 b; locality on the label:
“Oc. indien”.
eschweizerbartxxx sng-
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus nicobaricus Schreibers 1793.
Spondylus herinaceus Chenu 1844
Plate 17, Figs 75–80
1844–45 Spondylus herinaceus Chenu: 6 (1845), pl. 25 figs
3–4 (1844).
1938 Spondylus herinaceus, – Lamy: 275.
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les mers d’Amérique”.
Material in MHNG: Delessert collection:
2 syntypes, both with “Oc. indien” as locality on the label.
Syntype MHNG 31493 (figured herein, Plate 17 Figs 75–77),
figured by Chenu, pl. 25 fig. 3–3 a; syntype MHNG 31494
(figured herein, Plate 17 Figs 78–80), figured by Chenu, pl.
25 fig. 4–4 a.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus zonalis Lamarck 1819.
Spondylus imperialis Chenu 1844
Plate 18, Figs 81–84
1844–45 Spondylus imperialis Chenu: 6 (1845), pl. 26 figs 2–3
(1844).
1938 Spondylus imperialis, – Lamy: 297.
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les mers de l’Inde”.
Material in MHNG: Delessert collection: 2 syntypes MHNG
31498/1–2; locality on the label: “Chine”. Syntype MHNG
31498/1 (figured herein, Plate 18 Figs 81–82), figured by
Chenu on pl. 26 fig. 2–2 a; specimen MHNG 31498/2 (figured
herein, Plate 18 Figs 83–84), figured by Chenu on pl. 26 fig.
3–3 a–3 b; two other specimens (both with locality “Chine”)
were not figured by Chenu: MHNG 31499, MHNG 31500.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : valid species.
Spondylus lamarckii Chenu 1843
Plate 19, Figs 85–87
1843–45 Spondylus lamarckii Chenu: 6 (1845), pl. 9 figs 3–4
(December 7 1843) (caption of figures says S. ducalis).
1938 Spondylus lamarcki, – Lamy: 209.
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “l’Océan des Grandes Indes”.
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection:
Probable holotype MHNG 1089/2 (figured herein, Plate 19 Figs
85–87), figured by Chenu on pl. 9 fig. 3–3 a; locality on the la-
bel: “Chine”. MHNG 1089/7, not figured by Chenu (variety b).
R e m a r k s : In the account of S. ducalis it was stated
that Chenu also figured the species on pl. 9 fig. 3–3 a.
The specimen corresponding to pl. 9 fig. 3 of Chenu is
in the Lamarck collection of the MHNG, under the name
Spondylus lamarckii Chenu, and labelled as a type of the
latter species (see also Chenu 1845: 6, text description
as S. lamarckii, although the plate caption mentions S.
ducalis). The specimen is registered as MHNG 1089/2.
Chenu figured another specimen (“variety b”) on pl.
9 fig. 4–4 a, which could not be traced among the ma-
terial in MHNG. In the Lamarck collection is another
specimen (MHNG 1089/7) which has some strong af-
finities with the shell figured by Chenu on pl. 9 fig. 4–
4 a, but showing also some features that allow us to say
that it is not the very same specimen as the one figured.
This specimen is labelled as “variety b of ducalis (= S.
lamarckii Chenu, = latreillei Chenu)”.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus ducalis Lamarck 1819.
Spondylus longispina Lamarck 1819
Plate 19, Figs 88–90
1816 Lamarck: pl. 194, fig. 2 (figure only).
1819 Spondylus longispina Lamarck: 189, sp. n° 8.
1844–45 Spondylus longispina, – Chenu: 4 (1845), pl. 13 fig. 1
(March 7 1844).
1938 Spondylus longispina, – Lamy: 277, 282 (under syn-
onymy and discussion of Spondylus americanus).
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les mers de l’Inde”.
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection:
Possible type MHNG 1088/100 (figured herein, Plate 19 Figs
Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva 
88–90), figured by Chenu, pl. 13 fig. 1–1 a; locality on the
label: “Amér”.
R e m a r k s : The possible type MHNG 1088/100 bears
a hand­written annotation, possibly by Lamarck, on the
inner side of the valves (“N° 8”). In the original vol-
umes of Anim. Sans Vert., an annotation by Rosalie de
Lamarck states that there was 1 specimen of the species
in her father’s collection. This MHNG 1088/100 speci-
men was figured by Chenu on pl. 13 fig. 1–1 a. How-
ever, it does not seem to match (pattern of distribution of
spines, etc.) the original illustration by Lamarck (Ency-
clopédie Méthodique: pl. 194 fig. 2), which is the reason
why it is considered as a questionable type. Lamy (1938:
277, 282) already considered S. longispina as a synonym
of S. americanus.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus americanus Hermann 1781
Spondylus longitudinalis Lamarck 1819
Plate 20, Figs 91–96
1819 Spondylus longitudinalis Lamarck: 191, sp. n° 15.
1843–45 Spondylus longitudinalis, – Chenu: 4 (1845), pl. 9 figs
1–2 (December 7 1843).
1938 Spondylus longitudinalis, – Lamy: 287 (under discus-
sion of Spondylus ictericus).
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les mers d’Amérique ?”.
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection:
Probable holotype MHNG 1089/8 (figured herein, Plate 20 Figs
91–93), figured by Chenu on pl. 9 fig. 1–1 a; locality on the la-
eschweizerbartxxx sng-
bel: “Amér.”; MHNG 1088/93 (figured herein, Plate 20 Figs
94–96), figured by Chenu, pl. 9 fig. 2–2 a; locality on the label:
“Amér.”.
R e m a r k s : In the original volumes of Anim. Sans
Vert., an annotation by Rosalie de Lamarck states that
there was only 1 specimen in her father’s collection.
In the Lamarck collection, MHNG 1089/8 is the prob-
able holotype (figured by Chenu on pl. 9 fig. 1–1 a),
with a handwritten annotation “15” on the inner side of
the valves. Another specimen currently in the Lamarck
collection, MHNG 1088/93, is the specimen figured by
Chenu on pl. 9 fig. 2–2 a, and actually labelled from the
“Delessert collection”. Mermod, in his manuscript index
card file for the Lamarck collection, states that the type
is the specimen illustrated by Chenu on pl. 9 fig. 1–1 a
(MHNG 1089/8, see above). But it remains difficult to
prove which of the two specimens figured by Chenu
is the real type. Specimen 1089/8 appears most likely,
because of the presence of the handwritten annotation
“15” inside the valves. Unfortunately, Lamarck did not
indicate a size for the species in his description. The
uncertainty is also increased by Lamarck’s indication
“cabinet de M. Dufresne”, which means that there is also
a possibility that neither of the two specimens figured by
Chenu could be type material. The statement by Lamy
(1938: 287) that S. longitudinalis could be a synonym of
S. gaederopus most likely should be discounted (see also
Fulton 1915: 360).
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus americanus Hermann 1781.
Spondylus microlepos Lamarck 1819
Plate 21, Figs 97–99
1819 Spondylus microlepos Lamarck: 192, sp. n° 16.
1845 Spondylus mycrolepos, – Chenu: 4 (1845) (as a vari-
ety of Spondylus coccineus).
1938 Spondylus microlepos, – Lamy: 206.
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “l’Océan indien ?”.
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection:
questionable type MHNG 1089/9 (figured herein, Plate 21 Figs
97–99), not figured by Chenu; locality on the label: “Chine ?”.
R e m a r k s : In the original volumes of Anim. Sans
Vert., an annotation by Rosalie de Lamarck states that
there was 1 specimen of the species in her father’s col-
lection. In the Lamarck collection, specimen MHNG
1089/9 has no visible indication by Lamarck on the in-
ner side of the valves. Lamarck did not figure it, nor is
there any illustration of S. microlepos by Chenu in his
Illustrations Conchyliologiques. It is thus very hard to
say whether the specimen in the Lamarck collection of
the MHNG is the original specimen or not. An extract
from Lamprell & Healy (2001) states: “Inspection of a
specimen in the Muséum de Genève (1089/9) labelled
as ‘Spondylus microlepos Lk. TYPE ?? (coccineus var.)
Chine?’ revealed a yellow-orange shell with numerous
ribs. In all respects, the features of this shell are hard to
reconcile with the description given by Lamarck (p. 190,
sp. 16): Sp. testâ utrinque rubrâ, longitudinaliter striatâ
et costatâ; costis 5 s. 6 squamiferis: squamis ligulatis
truncatis exiguis”. Consequently, with only 1 specimen
of very questionable status labeled “microlepos” in the
Lamarck collection, with a text description by Lamarck
in Anim. Sans Vert. that could apply to many different
species of Spondylus, and with no original illustration
available, nor any old subsequent illustration by Chenu
either, the species microlepos must be considered a no-
men dubium.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : nomen du-
bium.
Spondylus monachus Chenu 1844
Plate 21, Figs 100–101
1844–45 Spondylus monachus Chenu: 6 (1845), pl. 26 fig. 5
(1844).
1938 Spondylus monachus, – Lamy: 200 (under discussion
of Spondylus croceus).
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les mers de l’Inde”.
10 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva
Material in MHNG: Delessert collection:
Holotype MHNG 31507 (figured herein, Plate 21 Figs 100–
101), figured by Chenu, pl. 26 fig. 5–5 a; locality on the label:
“Oc. indien”.
R e m a r k s : possibly a prior name for Spondylus
smythae Lamprell 1998 (p. 49, figs 3 A–3 B).
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : possibly a
valid species.
Spondylus “multilamellatus Lamarck” sensu Chenu
1844 (non Lamarck 1819)
Plate 22, Figs 102–106
1844–45 Spondylus multilamellatus, – Chenu: 3 (1845), pl.
11 figs 1–2 (March 7 1844).
1938 Spondylus multilamellatus, – Lamy: 285–286 (under
synonymy and discussion of Spondylus ictericus).
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les mers de l’Inde”.
Material in MHNG: Delessert collection:
Syntype MHNG 31508 (figured herein, Plate 22 Figs 102–104),
figured by Chenu, pl. 11 fig. 1–1 a; locality on the label: “Oc.
indien”; syntype MHNG 31509 (figured herein, Plate 22 Figs
105–106), figured by Chenu, Illustr. Conchyl., pl. 11 fig. 2–2 a;
locality on the label: “Oc. indien ?”.
R e m a r k s : Lamy (1938: 285, 286, 293, 295) recog-
nized the distinction between the S. multilamellatus of
Lamarck and the S. multilamellatus of Chenu. Lamarck
describes a white species “flowered” with pink and purple
streaks, while Chenu’s specimens are brown. In the orig-eschweizerbartxxx sng-
inal volumes of Anim. Sans Vert., Rosalie de Lamarck
made no handwritten annotation for S. multilamellatus
Lamarck, meaning that there was no material in her
father’s personal collection. Lamarck says “Mus. n°”(=
MNHN, Paris), instead of “Mon cabinet”. But Lamy
(1938: 295) also says that the type of S. multilamellatus
Lamarck could not be retrieved in the Museum of Paris.
Together with the specimen MHNG 31508 cited here
above, there is a note by G. Mermod saying (free English
translation) that “According to Lamy (1938: 285, 286),
Fulton (1915) identifies the S. multilamellatus of Chenu
as S. ictericus of Reeve”. But, still according to Mermod,
“the comparison with our specimens leads to the conclu-
sion that this supposed synonymy is erroneous”. S. mul-
tilamellatus of Lamarck is the S. foliaceus of Chemnitz
(see Lamy, 1938: 293, 295); but there is no manuscript
note by Mermod about this. The present authors agree
with Fulton that the Chenu figure agrees well with the
type of S. ictericus Reeve.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus ictericus Reeve 1856.
Spondylus radians Lamarck 1819
Plates 23–24, Figs 107–112
1816 Lamarck: pl. 191, fig. 5 (figure only).
1819 Spondylus radians Lamarck: 192, sp. n° 19.
1844–45 Spondylus radians, – Chenu: 5 (1845), pl. 28 figs 2–4
(June 5 1844).
1938 Spondylus radians, – Lamy: 265 (under synonymy of
Spondylus nicobaricus).
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “aux îles de Nicobar, à Timor”.
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection:
no material; specimens are held in the Delessert and general
systematic collection, but it is difficult to establish whether or
not they are type material. — D e l e s s e r t c o l l e c t i o n :
3 specimens MHNG 31526 (one of them figured herein, Plate
23 Figs 107–108), figured by Chenu, pl. 28 fig. 2–2 a; locality
on the label: “Oc. indien”; MHNG 31527 (figured herein, Plate
23 Figs 109–110), possibly figured by Chenu, pl. 28 fig. 3 ?;
locality on the label: “Ile Maurice” (N.B.: there is a manuscript
note by G. Mermod with this specimen, stating [free English
translation]: “this specimen seems to come from Mauritius, but
its resemblance to the specimen figured by Chenu, pl. 28 fig. 3,
raises the question of a possible labelling error”; MHNG 31528
(figured herein, Plate 24 Figs 111–112), figured by Chenu, pl.
28 fig. 4–4 a; locality on the label: “Oc. indien”.
R e m a r k s : In the original volumes of Anim. Sans
Vert., Rosalie de Lamarck indicated the presence of two
specimens in her father’s collection. Among the three speci-
mens in the Delessert collection, two are undoubtedly those
figured by Chenu, but it is hard to say whether one of them
is also that figured by Lamarck in the Encyclopédie Mé-
thodique, pl. 191 fig. 5; the closest would probably be spec-
imen MHNG 31526, figured by Chenu on pl. 8, fig. 2.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus nicobaricus Schreibers 1793.
Spondylus regius Linnaeus 1758
Plates 24–25, Figs 113–119
1758 Spondylus regius Linnaeus: 1136.
1816 Lamarck: pl. 193, fig. 1 (figure only).
1819 Spondylus regius, – Lamarck: 190, sp. n° 9.
1841 Spondylus regius, – Delessert: pl. 20 figs 1 & 2
(white var.).
1843–45 Spondylus regius, – Chenu: 4 (1845), pl. 7 figs 1–2
(December 7 1843).
1844 Spondylus regius, – Chenu: 31.
1938 Spondylus regius, – Lamy: 296.
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “in India”.
Material in MHNG:Lamarck/Delessert col-
l e c t i o n : 2 specimens (no type status): MHNG 1089/16 (fig-
ured herein, Plate 24 Figs 113–115), white variety figured by
Delessert 1841, pl. 20 fig. 2, and by Chenu, pl. 7 fig. 2; locality
on the label: “Océan indien”; MHNG 1089/17 (figured herein,
Plate 25 Figs 116–119), specimen originally from the Richard
collection, figured by Lamarck, Encyclopédie Méthodique, pl.
193 fig. 1, and by Delessert 1841, pl. 20 fig. 1, as well as by
Chenu, pl. 7 fig. 1; locality on the label: “Océan indien”.
R e m a r k s : In the original volumes of Anim. Sans
Vert., Rosalie de Lamarck made no handwritten an-
Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva 11
notation for S. regius Lamarck, meaning that there was
no material in her father’s personal collection. There
is no type material in the collection of the MHNG, but
the famous specimen bought by Richard (on which he
sat down, breaking 1 or 2 spines, after his wife discov-
ered that he sold her silver-ware to get the money to
buy that shell ...) is in the MHNG collection. This spec-
imen from the Richard cabinet was later included in
the Lamarck/Delessert collection and is now registered
MHNG 1089/17 (see Dance, 1986: 98–99; also Cail-
liez & Finet, 1997: 17). Lamarck, in the Encyclopédie
Méthodique on pl. 193 fig. 1, figured the specimen. But
it was more faithfully figured with its broken spines by
Chenu, pl. 7 fig. 1.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : valid species.
Spondylus rostratus Chenu 1844
Plate 25, Figs 120–122
1844–45 Spondylus rostratus Chenu: 7 (1845), pl. 26 fig. 4
(1844).
1938 Spondylus rostratus, – Lamy: 272 (under discussion
of Spondylus nicobaricus).
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les mers de l’Inde”.
Material in MHNG: Delessert collection:
Holotype MHNG 31538 (figured herein, Plate 25 Figs 120–
122), figured by Chenu, pl. 26 fig. 4; locality on the label: “Oc.
indien”.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : valid species.
eschweizerbartxxx sng-
Spondylus spathuliferus Lamarck 1819
Plates 26–27, Figs 123–131
1816 Lamarck: pl. 191, figs 4, 6, 7 (figures only).
1819 Spondylus spathuliferus Lamarck: 191, sp. n° 13.
1843–45 Spondylus spathuliferus, – Chenu: 4 (1845), pl. 8 figs
1 & 4 (December 7 1843).
1938 Spondylus spathuliferus, – Lamy: 208 (under syn-
onymy of Spondylus ducalis).
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “l’Océan indien ?”.
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection:
2 specimens with “Oc. indien ?” as locality on the labels.
MHNG 1089/6 (figured herein, Plate 26 Figs 123–125), figured
by Chenu, pl. 8 fig. 4–4 a, was designated as lectotype by Lam-
prell & Willan, 2000; MHNG 1088/99 (figured herein, Plate
26 Figs 126–128), not figured earlier, with a handwritten in-
scription by Lamarck inside one valve, stating “spathuliferus”.
This specimen is now labelled as “variety B ?”. — D e l e s -
s e r t c o l l e c t i o n : 3 specimens, with “Oc. indien” as local-
ity on the labels; MHNG 31540 (figured herein, Plate 27 Figs
129–131): 1 specimen figured by Chenu, pl. 8 fig.1–1 a. Mate-
rial not figured: MHNG 31541 (1 specimen); MHNG 31542
(1 spm).
R e m a r k s : In the original volumes of Anim. Sans
Vert., MS annotations by Rosalie de Lamarck mention the
presence of three specimens (1 of the principal species,
and 2 of the variety b, later corrected, also manually, into
“2 of the principal species and 1 of the variety b”).
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus squamosus Schreibers 1793.
Spondylus striatospinosus Chenu 1844
Plate 27, Figs 132–133
1844–45 Spondylus striatospinosus Chenu: 7 (1845), pl. 23 fig.
1 (June 5 1844).
1938 Spondylus striatospinosus, – Lamy: 197 (under dis-
cussion of Spondylus asperrimus).
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les mers de l’Inde”.
Material in MHNG: Delessert collection:
Holotype MHNG 31629 (figured herein, Plate 27 Figs 132–
133), figured by Chenu, pl. 23 fig. 1–1 a; locality on the label:
“Oc. indien”.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : Appears to be
a variety of Spondylus varius Sowerby 1829.
Spondylus variegatus Lamarck 1819
Plates 28–29, Figs 134–141
1819 Spondylus variegatus Lamarck: 189, sp. n° 7.
1843–45 Spondylus variegatus, – Chenu: 3 (1845), pl. 10 figs
1 to 3 (December 7 1843).
1938 Spondylus variegatus, – Lamy: 206–207.
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “l’Océan indien”.
M a t e r i a l i n M H N G : L a m a r c k c o l l e c t i o n : no
material present, all specimens are in the Delessert collection,
but they are not type material. — D e l e s s e r t c o l l e c -
t i o n : 11 lots totalling 14 specimens. MHNG 31636 (figured
herein, Plate 28 Figs 134–135): 1 specimen figured by Chenu,
pl. 10 fig. 1–1 a, locality on the label “Oc. indien”; MHNG
31637 (figured herein, Plate 28 Figs 136–137): 1 specimen fig-
ured by Chenu, pl. 10 fig. 2–2 a, locality on the label “Oc. in-
dien”; MHNG 31638 (figured herein, Plate 29 Figs 138–141):
1 complete specimen + 1 odd valve, attached together, figured
by Chenu, pl. 10 fig. 3 & 3 a; the valve figured by Chenu at
fig. 3 b could not be traced (a manuscript note by Mermod has
already pointed out the disappearance of this valve); locality on
the label: “Oc. indien”. Material not figured by Chenu: MHNG
31639 (1 specimen), locality on the label “Oc. indien”; MHNG
31640 (1 spm), locality “Oc. indien”; MHNG 31641 (1 spm),
locality “Oc. indien”; MHNG 31642 (2 spms), locality “Oc.
indien”; MHNG 31643 (1 spm), locality “Oc. indien”; MHNG
31644 (1 spm), without locality; MHNG 31645 (1 complete
specimen + 1 odd valve), with no locality; MHNG 31646
(1 spm), with no locality.
R e m a r k s : In the original volumes of Anim. Sans
Vert., there was no handwritten indication of the pres-
ence of eventual specimens in Lamarck’s collection.
Lamarck indicated only “Mus. n°” (= MNHN, Paris).
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus variegatus Schreibers 1793.
12 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva
Spondylus “violacescens Lamarck” sensu Chenu 1844
(non Lamarck 1819).
Plate 29, Figs 142–144
1844–45 Spondylus violacescens Chenu: 5 (1845), pl. 27 fig. 3
(July 26 1844).
1938 Spondylus violacescens, – Lamy: 201.
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “les mers de la Nouvelle-Hol-
lande, au port du Roi-Georges”.
Material in MHNG: Delessert collection:
specimen MHNG 31648 (figured herein, Plate 29 Figs 142–
144), figured by Chenu, pl. 27 fig. 3–3 a, locality on the label
“Oc. indien”.
R e m a r k s : According to Lamy (1938: 202), the
specimen (MHNG 31648) figured by Chenu cannot be
a S. violacescens of Lamarck 1819. The collections of
the MHNG do not contain any material of the true viol-
acescens of Lamarck, for which, in the original volumes
of Anim. Sans Vert., Rosalie de Lamarck did not men-
tion the presence of any specimen in her father’s col-
lection. Lamarck indicated only “Mus. n°” (= MNHN,
Paris), and Lamy (1938: 202) recognises a specimen of
37 mm in the MNHN (Paris) as the type of violacescens
Lamarck.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : synonym of
Spondylus coccineus Lamarck 1819 (non Schreibers
1793), preoccupied; nomen novum for the preoccupied
name of Lamarck: Spondylus punicus Bernard, Cai &
Morton 1993: 55.
eschweizerbartxxx sng-
Spondylus zonalis Lamarck 1819
Plate 30, Figs 145–150
References
Bernard, F.R., Cai, Y.-Y., & Morton, B. (1993): Catalogue
of the Living Marine Bivalve Molluscs of China.
— 1–146 pp.; Hong Kong University Press.
Cailliez, J.C. (1995): Notice sur les collections malacologiques
du Muséum de Genève.— 50 pp., 23 illustr., por-
traits; Genève (Edité par l’auteur).
Cailliez, J.C. & Finet, Y. (1997): Benjamin Delessert (1773–
1847) et la malacologie. — Bulletin de la Société
internationale de Conchyliologie, Lausanne, 19 (3):
1–44, pls., figs.
Chemnitz, J. H. (1784–1786): In Martini & Chemnitz (1769–
1795): Neues systematisches Conchylien Cabinet,
vol. 7: xvi + 356 pp. (1784); vol. 9: xvi + 194 pp.
(1786); vols. 1–11 (pls. 1–213 + 1–193); Nürnberg
(G.N.Raspe). [Non-binomial]
1819 Spondylus zonalis Lamarck: 193, sp. n° 20.
1843–45 Spondylus zonalis, – Chenu: 5 (1845), pl. 7 figs 3 & 4
(December 7 1843).
1938 Spondylus zonalis, – Lamy: 266.
T y p e l o c a l i t y : “l’Océan des grandes Indes”.
Material in MHNG: Lamarck collection:
Holotype MHNG 1089/13 (figured herein, Plate 30 Figs 145–
147), figured by Delessert 1841, pl. 16 fig. 10, and by Chenu,
pl. 7 fig. 3–3 a; original handwritten label by Lamarck with
the locality “des Grandes Indes”; locality on more recent label:
“Oc. indien”. — D e l e s s e r t c o l l e c t i o n : 1 specimen
MHNG 31653 (figured herein, Plate 30 Figs 148–150): speci-
men figured by Chenu, pl. 7 fig. 4–4 a, locality on the label
“Oc. indien” (no type status).
R e m a r k s : In the original volumes of Anim. Sans
Vert. there is an annotation by Rosalie de Lamarck stat-
ing that there was only 1 specimen in her father’s col-
lection.
C u r r e n t t a x o n o m i c p o s i t i o n : valid species.
Acknowledgment
The first author (Y. Finet) is very grateful to the Society of
Friends of the Museum of Natural History of Geneva for the
financial support having made possible the publication in color
of most specimens and types from the Lamarck and Delessert
(types of Chenu) collections of the Geneva Museum. Many of
these Spondylid specimens were illustrated in color by Chenu
in his “Illustrations Conchyliologiques”, but it’s valuable infor-
mation to see this material, and more, now figured using color
photographs for the first time.
Chenu, J.C. (1844): Notice sur le Musée conchyliologique de
M. le Baron Benjamin Delessert. — 39 pp. (2 nd
edition in 1849: 40 pp.); Paris ( Béthune et Plon).
Chenu, J.C. (1845): Illustrations Conchyliologiques ou De-
scription et figures de toutes les coquilles connues,
vivantes et fossiles, Vols.1–4, 85 livraisons – Paris.
(For collation of this work, see Sherborn, C.D. &
E.A. Smith, 1911, Proceedings of the Malacological
Society of London, 9: 264–267).
Dance, S.P. (1986): A History of Shell Collecting. — I– VI,
1–265, 33 pls.; E.J. Brill - Dr. W. Backhuys, Leiden.
D elessert , B. (1841): Recueil de coquilles décrites par
Lamarck dans son Histoire naturelle des Animaux
sans Vertèbres, et non encore figurées. — 40 pls.;
Paris, Fortin, Masson & Cie.
Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva 13
Fulton, H.C. (1915): List of the Recent species of Spondy-
lus Linne with some notes and descriptions of six
new forms. — Journal of Conchology, London, 14:
331–360.
Gmelin, J.F. (1791): Caroli a Linné Systema naturae per regna
tria naturae. Edicio decima tertia., Vol. 1, pt. 6, cl. 6,
Vermes: 3021–3910; Leipzig (“Lipsiae”).
Lamarck, J.B. (1791–1816): Tableau encyclopédique et mé-
thodique des trois règnes de la nature. — pp. i–viii,
1–83, pls. 1–95 (1791); pp. 85–132, pls. 96–189
(1792); pls. 190–286, par Bruguière (1797); pls.
287–390 (an VI [1798 ]); Mollusques et Polypes
divers, pls. 391–488 [publiées sous la direction de
Lamarck] (1816), avec 16 pp. de texte, « Liste des
objets représentés », par Lamarck. Paris [for a col-
lation of the « Tableau encyclopédique », see C.D.
Sherborn & B.B. Woodward, 1906, Annals and
Magazin of Natural History, (7) 17: 577–582 ].
— — — (1819): Histoire naturelle des animaux sans vertè-
bres, 6 (1): 343 pp. [genre Spondyle (Spondylus):
186–194]; Paris.
Lamprell, K.L. (1998): Recent Spondylus species from the
Middle East and adjacent regions, with the descrip-
tion of two new species. — Vita Marina, 45 (1–2):
41–60.
Lamprell, K.L. & Willan, R.C. (2000): Rectification of no-
menclature for three species of Spondylus Linnaeus
(Bivalvia: Pectinoidea: Spondylidae) from the Indo-
Pacific based on re-examination of type specimens.
— Vita Marina, 47 (1): 1–8.
Lamprell, K.L. & Dekker, H. (2001): Rectification of nomen-
eschweizerbartxxx sng-
clature and notes on species of Spondylus Linnaeus
(Bivalvia: Pectinoidea: Spondylidae) from the Pa-
cific. — Vita Marina, 47 (4): 131–137.
Lamprell, K.L. & Healy, J.H. (2001): Spondylidae (Bivalvia)
from New Caledonia and adjacent waters. — In:
Bouchet, P. & Marshall, B.A. (Eds): Tropical Deep-
Sea Benthos, 22. — Mémoires du Muséum national
d’Histoire naturelle, 185: 111–163.
Lamprell, K.L., Stanisic, J. & Clarkson, P. (2001): Some
Spondylids from the North and South Pacific Oceans
with the description of a new species (Mollusca, Bi-
valvia, Spondylidae). — Memoirs of the Queensland
Museum, 46 (2): 623–628.
Lamy, E. (1938): Révision des Spondylus vivants du Muséum
national d’Histoire Naturelle de Paris. — Journal de
Conchyliologie, 82 (3): 177–214, 265–306.
Linnaeus, C. von (1758): Systema naturae per regna tria natu-
rae. Edicio decima, reformata, vol. 1, Regnum ani-
male: 824 pp.; Stockholm.
— — — (1766–1767): Systema naturae per regna tria naturae.
Edicio duodecima, reformata, vol. 1, Regnum ani-
male, Pt. 1: 1–532 (1766); Pt. 2: 533–1327 (1767);
Stockholm.
Reeve, L. (1856): Monograph of the genus Spondylus. — Con-
chologia iconica or illustrations of the shells of mol-
luscous animals, 9: pls 1–18; London.
S chreibers , K. (1793): Versuch einer vollständigen Con-
chylienkenntniss nach Linnaeus System. — 2 vols.
([12], 446, [1] p.; [8], 416) [Spondylus vol2: 151–
171]; Joseph Edlen v. Kurzbeck, Vienna, Austria.
Sherborn, C.D. & E.A. Smith (1911): A collation of J.C.
Chenu’s Illustrations Conchyliologiques, and a note
on P.L. Duclos’ Hist. Nat. Gén. et Part. Coquilles.
— Proceedings of the Malacological Society, 9:
264–267.
Sowerby, G.B. (1829). Appendix. Observations on a few of
the most remarkable Shells collected by Mr Samuel
Stutchbury on the coast of some of the Islands of the
Australasian and Polynesian groups, together with
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4 pp., 1 pl.; London.
Manuscript submitted: 13.02.2007
Revised manuscript accepted: 31.01.2008
14 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 1

Figs 1–2. Spondylus albus Chenu 1845 (non Sowerby 1847, nec Schreibers
1793). Syntype MHNG 30634.
1a, b) left valve (H = 59 mm, L = 50 mm).
2a, b) right valve (H = 60 mm, L = 54 mm).

Figs 3–4. Spondylus ambiguus Chenu 1845. Lectotype MHNG 30638.

3a, b) left valve (H = 33 mm, L = 37 mm).
4a, b) right valve (H = 37 mm, L = 37 mm).

eschweizerbartxxx sng-
 Plate 1

eschweizerbartxxx sng-
16 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 2

Figs 5–6. Spondylus americanus Lamarck 1819. MHNG 1088/88.

5a, b) left valve (H = 69 mm, L = 64 mm).
6a, b) right valve (H = 80 mm, L = 65 mm).

Figs 7–8. Spondylus americanus Lamarck 1819. MHNG 1088/89.

7a, b) left valve (H = 65 mm, L = 64 mm).
8a, b) right valve (H = 72 mm, L = 64 mm).

eschweizerbartxxx sng-
 Plate 2

eschweizerbartxxx sng-
18 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 3

Figs 9–11. Spondylus americanus Lamarck 1819. MHNG 1088/90/1.

9) left valve above right valve.
10a, b) left valve alone (H = 75 mm, L = 65 mm).
11a, b) right valve (H = 100 mm, L = 65 mm).

Figs 12–13. Spondylus americanus Lamarck 1819. MHNG 1088/90/2.

12a, b) left valve (H = 42, 5 mm, L = 42 mm).
13a, b) right valve (H = 47 mm, L = 42 mm).

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20 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 4

Figs 14–15. Spondylus americanus Lamarck 1819. MHNG 1088/90/3.

14a, b) left valve (H = 37 mm, L = 34, 5 mm).
15a, b) right valve (H = 38 mm, L = 34, 5 mm).

Figs 16–17. Spondylus americanus Lamarck 1819. MHNG 1088/90/4.

16a, b) left valve (H = 32 mm, L = 31 mm).
17a, b) right valve (H = 34 mm, L = 31 mm).

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22 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 5

Figs 18–19. Spondylus americanus Lamarck 1819. MHNG 1088/91.

18a, b) left valve (H = 80 mm, L = 73 mm).
19a, b) right valve (H = 95 mm, L = 72 mm).

Figs 20–22. Spondylus americanus Lamarck 1819. MHNG 1088/92/1.

20) left valve above right valve.
21a, b) left valve alone (H = 81 mm, L = 73 mm).
22a, b) right valve (H = 96 mm, L = 73 mm).

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24 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 6

Figs 23–25. Spondylus americanus Lamarck 1819. MHNG 1088/92/2.

23) left valve above right valve.
24a, b) left valve alone (H = 53 mm, L = 41 mm).
25a, b) right valve (H = 60 mm, L = 45 mm).

Figs 26–28. Spondylus arachnoides Lamarck 1819. Lectotype MHNG

1088/94.
26) left valve above right valve.
27a, b) left valve alone (H = 27 mm, L = 25, 5 mm).
28a, b) right valve (H = 30 mm, L = 26 mm).

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26 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 7

Figs 29–31. Spondylus aurantius Lamarck 1819. Probable syntype MHNG

1089/12.
29) left valve above right valve.
30a, b) left valve alone (H = 67 mm, L = 57 mm).
31a, b) right valve (H = 83 mm, L = 59 mm).

Fig. 32. Spondylus aurantius Lamarck 1819. MHNG 30796.

32a, b) right valve only (H = 97 mm, L = 65 mm).

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28 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 8

Figs 33–35. Spondylus aurantius Lamarck 1819. MHNG 30797.

33) left valve above right valve.
34) right valve (H = 49 mm, L = 50 mm).
35a, b) left valve alone (H = 45 mm, L = 47 mm).

Figs 36–38. Spondylus avicularis Lamarck 1819. Probable holotype MHNG

1088/95.
36) left valve above right valve.
37a, b) left valve alone (H = 87 mm, L = 80 mm).
38a, b) right valve (H = 114 mm, L = 80 mm).

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30 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 9

Figs 39–40. Spondylus coccineus Lamarck 1819, non Schreibers 1793. Prob-
able holotype MHNG 1088/96.
39a, b) left valve (H = 62 mm, L = 61 mm).
40a, b) right valve (H = 59 mm, L = 61 mm).

Figs 41–43. Spondylus costatus Lamarck 1819. Probable holotype MHNG

1088/97.
41) left valve above right valve.
42a, b) left valve alone (H = 88 mm, L = 84 mm).
43a, b) right valve (H = 108 mm, L = 85 mm).

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32 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 10

Figs 44. Spondylus crassisquama Lamarck 1819. Possible holotype

MHNG 1089/5.
44a, b) left valve only (H = 114 mm, L = 116 mm).

Figs 45–46. Spondylus crassisquama Lamarck 1819. MHNG 1088/98 (var. b).
45a, b) left valve (H = 90 mm, L = 83 mm).
46a, b) right valve (H = 91 mm, L = 84 mm).

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34 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 11

Figs 47–48. Spondylus croceus Lamarck 1819. MHNG 1089/10, Lamarck’s

original specimen.
47a, b) left valve (H = 53 mm, L = 50 mm).
48a, b) right valve (H = 60 mm, L = 52 mm).

Figs 49–50. Spondylus croceus Lamarck 1819. MHNG 31231.

49a, b) left valve (H = 57 mm, L = 56 mm).
50a, b) right valve (H = 66 mm, L = 56 mm).

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36 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 12

Fig. 51. Spondylus delesserti Chenu 1845. MHNG 31240, Delessert col-
lection, no type status.
51a, b) right valve only (H = 227 mm, L = 165 mm).

Figs 52–53. Spondylus ducalis Lamarck 1819. Syntype MHNG 1089/4/1.

52a, b) left valve (H = 49 mm, L = 45 mm).
53a, b) right valve (H = 52 mm, L = 45 mm).

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38 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 13

Figs 54–55. Spondylus dentatus Chenu 1845. Syntype MHNG 31242.

54a, b) left valve (H = 54 mm, L = 50 mm).
55a, b) right valve (H = 57 mm, L = 51 mm).

Figs 56–58. Spondylus dentatus Chenu 1845. Syntype MHNG 31243.

56) left valve (H = 80 mm, L = 57 mm) above right valve.
57a, b) lateral views of right and left valves.
58) right valve (H = 88 mm, L = 57 mm).

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40 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 14
Figs 59–60 Spondylus ducalis Lamarck 1819. Syntype MHNG 1089/3.
59a, b) left valve (H = 49 mm, L = 48 mm).
60a, b) right valve (H = 51 mm, L = 47 mm).

Figs 61–62. Spondylus ducalis Lamarck 1819. Syntype MHNG 1089/4/2.

61a, b) left valve (H = 45 mm, L = 45 mm).
62a, b) right valve (H = 49 mm, L = 45 mm).

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42 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 15
Figs 63–66 Spondylus ducalis Lamarck 1819. Syntype MHNG 31251.
63) left valve above right valve.
64a, b) left valve alone (H = 86 mm, L = 70 mm).
65a, b) lateral views.
66) internal view of right valve (H = 95 mm, L = 71 mm).

Figs 67–68. Spondylus ducalis Lamarck 1819. Syntype MHNG 31512 (as
Spondylus muricatus Chemnitz).
67a, b) left valve (H = 45 mm, L = 44 mm).
68a, b) right valve (H = 46 mm, L = 44 mm).

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44 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 16
Figs 69–72 Spondylus excavatus Chenu 1845. Holotype MHNG 31252.
69) left valve above right valve.
70a, b) left valve alone (H = 70 mm, L = 65 mm).
71a, b) right valve (H = 78 mm, L = 72 mm).
72) lateral view of right and left valves.

Figs 73–74. Spondylus gracilis Chenu 1845. Holotype MHNG 31349.

73a, b) left valve (H = 40.5 mm, L = 34 mm).
74a, b) right valve (H = 44 mm, L = 35 mm).

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46 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 17

Figs 75–77. Spondylus herinaceus Chenu 1845. Syntype MHNG 31493.

75) left valve above right valve.
76a, b) left valve alone (H = 66 mm, L = 52 mm).
77a, b) right valve (H = 83 mm, L = 65 mm).

Figs 78–80. Spondylus herinaceus Chenu 1845. Syntype MHNG 31494.

78) left valve above right valve.
79a, b) left valve alone (H = 77 mm, L = 60 mm).
80a, b) right valve (H = 88 mm, L = 70 mm).

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48 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 18

Figs 81–82. Spondylus imperialis Chenu 1845. Syntype MHNG 31498/1.

81a, b) left valve (H = 61 mm, L = 54 mm).
82a, b) right valve (H = 60 mm, L = 54 mm).

Figs 83–84. Spondylus imperialis Chenu 1845. Syntype MHNG 31498/2.

83a, b) left valve (H = 40 mm, L = 36 mm).
84a, b) right valve (H = 40 mm, L = 36 mm).

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50 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 19

Figs 85–87. Spondylus lamarckii Chenu 1845. Probable holotype MHNG

1089/2.
85) left valve above right valve.
86a, b) left valve alone (H = 63 mm, L = 60 mm).
87a, b) right valve (H = 78 mm, L = 61 mm).

Figs 88–90. Spondylus longispina Lamarck 1819. Possible type MHNG

1088/100.
88) left valve above right valve.
89a, b) left valve alone (H = 58 mm, L = 55 mm).
90a, b) right valve (H = 74 mm, L = 55 mm).

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52 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 20

Figs 91–93. Spondylus longitudinalis Lamarck 1819. Probable holotype

MHNG 1089/8.
91) left valve above right valve.
92a, b) left valve alone (H = 70 mm, L = 54 mm).
93a, b) right valve (H = 79 mm, L = 55 mm).

Figs 94–96. Spondylus longitudinalis Lamarck 1819. MHNG 1088/93.

94) left valve above right valve.
95a, b) left valve alone (H = 27 mm, L = 31 mm).
96a, b) right valve (H = 34 mm, L = 32 mm).

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54 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 21

Figs 97–99. Spondylus microlepos Lamarck 1819 (nomen dubium). Question-

able type MHNG 1089/9.
97) left valve above right valve.
98a, b) left valve alone (H = 40.5 mm, L = 39 mm).
99a, b) right valve (H = 41 mm, L = 41 mm).

Figs 100–101. Spondylus monachus Chenu 1845. Holotype MHNG 31507.

100a, b) left valve (H = 41 mm, L = 35 mm).
101a, b) right valve (H = 43 mm, L = 36 mm).

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56 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 22

Figs 102–104. Spondylus multilamellatus Chenu 1845, non Lamarck 1819. Syn-
type MHNG 31508.
102) left valve above right valve.
103a, b) left valve alone (H = 56 mm, L = 51 mm).
104a, b) right valve (H = 64 mm, L = 51 mm).

Figs 105–106. Spondylus multilamellatus Chenu 1845, non Lamarck 1819. Syn-
type MHNG 31509.
105a, b) left valve (H = 40 mm, L = 33 mm).
106a, b) right valve (H = 39 mm, L = 33 mm).

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58 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 23

Figs 107–108. Spondylus radians Lamarck 1819. MHNG 31526, specimen from
the Delessert collection.
107a, b) left valve (H = 42 mm, L = 43 mm).
108a, b) right valve (H = 43 mm, L = 46 mm).

Figs 109–110. Spondylus radians Lamarck 1819. MHNG 31527, specimen from
the Delessert collection.
109a, b) left valve (H = 36 mm, L = 31 mm).
110a, b) right valve (H = 34 mm, L = 31 mm).

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60 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 24

Figs 111–112. Spondylus radians Lamarck 1819. MHNG 31528, specimen from
the Delessert collection.
111a, b) left valve (H = 46 mm, L = 39 mm).
112a, b) right valve (H = 50 mm, L = 39 mm).

Figs 113–115. Spondylus regius Linnaeus 1758. MHNG 1089/16, specimen from
the Delessert collection.
113) left valve above right valve.
114a, b) left valve alone (H = 104 mm, L = 92 mm).
115a, b) right valve (H = 117 mm, L = 95 mm).

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62 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 25

Figs 116–119. Spondylus regius Linnaeus 1758. MHNG 1089/17, specimen from
the Delessert collection.
116) left valve above right valve.
117a, b) left valve alone (H = 97 mm, L = 91 mm)
118) right valve above left valve.
119a, b) right valve alone (H = 102 mm, L = 91 mm).

Figs 120–122. Spondylus rostratus Chenu 1845. Holotype MHNG 31538.

120) left valve above right valve.
121a, b) left valve alone (H = 35 mm, L = 26.5 mm).
122a, b) right valve (H = 45 mm, L = 28 mm).

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64 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 26

Figs 123–125. Spondylus spathuliferus Lamarck 1819. Lectotype MHNG 1089/6.

123) left valve above right valve.
124a, b) left valve alone (H = 57 mm, L = 56 mm).
125a, b) right valve (H = 63 mm, L = 57 mm).

Figs 126–128. Spondylus spathuliferus Lamarck 1819. MHNG 1088/99,

Lamarck collection, “variety B ?”.
126) left valve above right valve.
127a, b) left valve alone (H = 75 mm, L = 63 mm).
128a, b) right valve (H = 88 mm, L = 64 mm).

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66 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 27

Figs 129–131. Spondylus spathuliferus Lamarck 1819. MHNG 31540, Delessert

collection.
129) left valve above right valve.
130a, b) left valve alone (H = 39 mm, L = 43 mm).
131a, b) right valve (H = 40 mm, L = 45 mm).

Figs 132–133. Spondylus striatospinosus Chenu 1845. Holotype MHNG 31629.

132a, b) left valve (H = 75 mm, L = 63 mm).
133a, b) right valve (H = 88 mm, L = 64 mm).

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68 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 28

Figs 134–135. Spondylus variegatus Lamarck 1819. MHNG 31636.

134a, b) left valve (H = 46 mm, L = 45 mm).
135a, b) right valve (H = 51 mm, L = 45 mm).

Figs 136–137. Spondylus variegatus Lamarck 1819. MHNG 31637.

136a, b) left valve (H = 35 mm, L = 33 mm).
137a, b) right valve (H = 35 mm, L = 33 mm).

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70 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 29

Figs 138–141. Spondylus variegatus Lamarck 1819. MHNG 31638.

138) left valve above right valve, attached to another odd right valve.
139) internal view of the right valve alone (H = 73 mm,
L = 52 mm), attached to the other odd right valve.
140a, b) left valve from the complete specimen (H = 57 mm,
L = 51 mm).
141) internal view of the odd right valve (H = 72 mm,
L = 51 mm), attached to right valve of the complete specimen.

Figs 142–144. Spondylus violacescens Chenu 1845, non Lamarck 1819. MHNG
31648.
142) left valve above right valve.
143a, b) left valve alone (H = 80 mm, L = 73 mm)
144a, b) right valve (H = 88 mm, L = 73 mm).

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72 Finet, Y. & Lamprell, K. L.: The Spondylidae in the historical collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Plate 30

Figs 145–147. Spondylus zonalis Lamarck 1819. Holotype MHNG 1089/13.

145) left valve above right valve
146a, b) left valve alone (H = 41 mm, L = 41 mm)
147a, b) right valve (H = 55 mm, L = 49 mm).

Figs 148–150. Spondylus zonalis Lamarck 1819. MHNG 31653, Delessert collection.
148) A. left valve above right valve
149a, b) left valve alone (H = 44 mm, L = 42 mm)
150a, b) right valve (H = 51 mm, L = 42.5 mm).

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