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After the manuscript of this paper was submitted, I read W. Zhenrui's (1983) article on the systematics of Cryptopecten from Chinese waters. The following four species were described with indication of some sampling localities: Cryptopecten complanus sp. nov., C. tissotii [=C. bullatus in the present paper], C. nux and C. vesiculosus. C. complanus was based on two specimens from East China Sea; the holotype (Reg. no. M11072, Institute of Oceanology, Academia Sinica, Qingdao) at 128°E, 31°5'N (147 m) and the paratype at 126°E, 27°5'N (137 m). As was discussed by Zhenrui, this species seems to be closely related to C. bullatus in view of the similar number of radial ribs and similarly alternate imbricated scales. It appears to have been considered by him that C. bullatus may be distinguished from the new species by the stronger convexity of two valves, the presence of a serrated riblet on either side of the rib, and somewhat deeper byssal notch. Because these diagnostic characters do not seem to be very conclusive, I wish to give my opinion about the taxonomic validity of C. complanus after observing its type specimens or their photographs. The occurrence of C. bullatus and C. mux, the specific assignment of which is confirmed through Zhenrui's description and illustration, were recorded from South China Sea between the mouth of the River Si and the Paracel Islands at the depth of 104 m and 39-41 m, respectively. C. vesiculosus was said to be distributed in East China Sea from Cheju (Quelpart) Island on the north to Taiwan Strait on the south (82-150 m). These new locality records seem to be consistent with the ranges of geographic and bathymetric distribution described in the present paper. Finally, I thank Dr. Takashi Okutani for his prompt information on this new article.
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