Manaria indomaris TYPE MATERIAL - Holotype MNHN IM-2000-27033 (h 27.9 mm) and 2 paratypes MNHN IM-2000-27034. (as listed below). TYPE LOCALITY - India, Gulf of Mannar. DISTRIBUTION-Known only from the type material from the Gulf of Mannar; 1035-1095 m.
DESCRIPTION - Shell small for genus, up to 29 mm, thin but solid, white. Shape fusiform, slender, with moderately broad last whorl and short siphonal canal. Teleoconch of roughly seven convex whorls. Suture distinct. Apex substantially eroded in all studied specimens, protoconch absent. First remaining teleoconch whorl substantially eroded, no sculpture visible. Second remaining whorl with five well-developed spiral cords, subsutural cord only slightly finer; interspaces narrow. Third remaining whorl with six spiral cords; interspaces gradually becoming slightly wider. Antepenultimate whorl with eight or nine primary spiral cords; interspaces wide, with fine secondary cord in few interspaces. Secondary spiral cords increasing in strength. Penultimate whorl with nine moderately wide, weakly flattened primary spiral cords; interspaces wide; secondary spiral cords variable, ranging from fine to as strong as primary spiral cords. Last whorl with 44 spiral cords of varying strength: one subsutural spiral cord wide, remaining cords alternating wide and narrow on most specimensexcept at periphery and on siphonal canal, all cords of equal strength. Upper teleoconch whorls with eight or nine sharp axial ribs. Interspaces equal in width to one rib. Penultimate whorl with ten moderately sharp axial ribs. Last whorl with 11 wide but low axial ribs. Aperture semi-ovate, weakly constricted at both ends. Columella weakly curved, smooth, glossy, white. Outer lip thin (subadult), edge sharp, smooth, glossy, without internal lirae. Siphonal canal short, wide, open. Aperture together with siphonal canal about two-fifths of total shell height. Periostracum thin, greenish, glossy.
REMARKS-Manaria indomaris n. sp. is characterized by its alternating sculpture of moderately-thin spiral cords (primary and secondary together) with narrow interspaces. Manaria brevicaudata differs from M. indomaris n. sp. in its fewer spiral cords and the absence of secondary spiral cords on the upper spire whorls. DEEP-WATER BUCCINIDAE 403 M. thurstoni, a species also described from the Gulf of Mannar, differs from M. indomaris n. sp. in its wider and flatter spiral sculpture. ETYMOLOGY - Named for the type locality, Indian Ocean.