Shell equivalve, solid and inflated. Outline subovate-trigonal, somewhat longer than high. Anteroventral and posteroventral margin rounded. Sculpture at first sight smooth; consisting only of fine dense concentric growth striae which become more prominent anteriorly and posteriorly as discrete concentric ridges. Growth pauses rare, only seen in a few larger specimens (Plate 1, Fig. 4a). Lunule elongate heart-shaped, bordered from the remainder of the shell by a fine groove. Coloration of the lunule is divided into two areas: a distinct dark chestnut brown area directly under the umbones and a lighter brown area on the lower part, a coloration which is repeated on the escutcheon. External colour white, with small chestnut brown, chevron-like, tent shaped markings, concentrically arranged and getting denser, usually starting from the middle (rarely from the top) towards the ventral margin. Simultaneously they get more compressed (Plate 1, Fig. le). A very distinctive feature is the total absence or weak expression of the overall pattern around the lunule. The internal colour of the shell is canary yellow to pale orange with a darker band starting below the anterior adductor scar, along the pallial line and including the posterior adductor scar. This coloration always continues beyond the pallial line, but never reaches the outline of the shell. As a result, there is a white band the peripheral areas. In adult specimens, the white band is also clearly present at the exterior of the shell, especially ventrally (Plate 1, Fig. lc). The ligament is deeply sunken. Pallial sinus very weak (Plate 1, Fig. 4b). On the lv, there are 3 cardinal non-bifid teeth. The central cardinal tooth is more robust. There is one anterior lateral tooth. The posterior tooth is fused with the nymph. The hinge of the rv has got two anterior lateral teeth and three cardinal teeth, with the posterior cardinal tooth lightly bifid. Shape, colour and overall pattern are very constant.
Remarks: In most of the literature and on different websites, Lioconcha kovalisi sp. nov. is named Lioconcha sulcatina (Lamarck, 1818) originally described by Lamarck as Cytherea sulcatina. Even though many authors consider L. sulcatina and L. polita as subjective synonyms, H. Dekker (pers. comm.) and I have some doubts about their status as synonyms. It seems that L. sulcatina is only present in old museum collections. Its exact origin is therefore unclear, but probably situated around Indonesia.

More research and fresh collected material is needed to solve the problem, but this issue lies beyond the scope of this paper. It is clear that the new species has nothing to do with the generally used name of L. sulcatina. Therefore, the holotype of L. sulcatina (reg. 1084/24) from MHNG is figured here . The drawing 40b in Reeve's (1863) monograph of Circe, named as Circe sulcatina, is probably not that species, but resembles the new species.

Lioconcha kovalisi sp. nov. can easily be distinguished from L. philippinarum (Hanley, 1844) by the absence of the clearly visible concentric raised ridges found in L. philippinarum. Moreover, the internal colour as well as the colour of the lunule are different in both species.
The differences between Lioconcha kovalisi sp. nov. and Lioconcha ornata (Dillwyn, 1817) are sometimes less clear due to the high variability in shape and colour in L. ornata. Nevertheless, the remaining features can still positively separate the two
species. The shell of Lioconcha kovalisi sp. nov. is more solid, so, when held against the light, the outside pattern does not shine through, in contradiction with L. ornata. Moreover, the external pattern in L. ornata can be detected at the very edge of the inside. The second and more important differing feature is the lunule of both species. In Lioconcha kovalisi sp. nov., it is more clearly defined, differently coloured, and the area around it is usually white. In L. ornata, the border between the outside pattern and that of the lunule is vague to non-existant.

Holotype: Red Sea, Israel, Eilat, North Beach, sand, 0-15m. L= 28,2 mm; H: 24,2 mm; W:18,2 mm
All paratypes from type locality, except for paratype 7 from Red Sea, Egypt, Sinai, Gulf of Aqaba, Sharm el Moya, 1997 and paratype 8 from Red Sea, Egypt, Dahab, Gulf of Aqaba.