The discovery of a radula in a Dentimargo species and its taxonomic implications

The discovery of a comb-like radula in specimens of Dentimargo cf. aureocinctum (Stearns, 1872) is recorded. The occurrence of such a radula in a presumed non-radulate genus suggests a very close relationship between the genus Dentimargo and the genus Volvarina Hinds, 1844. This matter invalidates the taxonomic organisation currently accepted within the Marginellinae, and especially that between the Tribes Marginellini and Prunini. The conchological differenciation of Dentimargo from the Volvarina-Dentimargo common stem is shown to have arisen before the loss of the radula, and this loss is considered to have little taxonomic value within the marginellid gastropods. Due to its high conchological similarity with the type species D. dentifera (Lamarck, 1803), D. cf. aureocinctum is conserved in the genus Dentimargo, which is provisionally considered as being composed both of radulate and of non-radulate species