First report and second record of Indothais blanfordi (Melvill) [Gastropoda: Neogastropoda: Muricidae] from east coast of India with nomenclature update and bifurcation of Indian Rapaninae

Indothais blanfordi (Melvill, 1893), a muricid gastropod is being reported for the first time from Machilipatnam (16o 8′ 42.82′′ N and 81o 10′ 41.83′′ E) in Andhra Pradesh State situated on the northern east coast of India. This species was earlier recorded from Kalpakkam on the southern east coast, but not brought to light as first record to the east coast of India. Nevertheless, its occurrence was reported earlier from Andaman-Nicobar Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean and a number of localities along the west coast. The present record of the species extends its distributional range further north of Kalpakkam on the east coast of India. In this connection, a systematic account of the species is presented in this communication. Further, as the latest global molecular phylogenetic findings elucidate the exact taxonomic composition of Rapaninae and Ergalataxinae subfamilies of Muricidae, the existing nomenclature of Indian Rapaninae was updated in addition to bifurcation of the group in consonance. © 2013 Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved