title: A new genus and species of Thyasiridae (Mollusca, Bivalvia) from deep-water, Beaufort Sea, northern Alaska.
abstract: Bivalve mollusk shells were collected in 2350 m depth in the Beaufort Sea, Arctic Ocean off northern Alaska. Initial identification suggested the specimens were a member of the bivalve family Thyasiridae, but no known eastern Pacific or Arctic living or fossil thyasirid resembled these deep-water specimens. Comparisons were made with the type of the genera Maorithyas Fleming, 1950, Spinaxinus Oliver & Holmes, 2006, Axinus Sowerby, 1821, and Parathyasira Iredale, 1930. We determined the Beaufort Sea species represents a new genus, herein described as Wallerconcha. These specimens also represent a new species, herein named Wallerconchasarae. These new taxa are compared with known modern and fossil genera and species of thyasirds.
authors.affiliation: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2259 Puesta del Sol Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valentich-Scott
authors.affiliation: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2259 Puesta del Sol Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
authors.forename: Charles L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
authors.lastname: Ii
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Lorenson
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
authors.forename: Brian E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Edwards
keywords: Alaska; Arctic Ocean; Axinus; Beaufort Sea; Bivalvia; Maorithyas; Mollusca; Parathyasira; Spinaxinus; Thyasiridae; Wallerconcha; chemoautotrophic; endosymbiosis; taxonomy