| Otitoma oneili | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Superfamily: | Conoidea |
| Family: | Pseudomelatomidae |
| Genus: | Otitoma |
| Species: | O. oneili
|
| Binomial name | |
| Otitoma oneili (Barnard, 1958)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Otitoma oneili is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Pseudomelatomidae, the turrids and allies.
Description
Otitoma oneili is a small species of sea snail with a shell length ranging between 4.5 mm and 7.5 mm. Its fusiform shell is characteristic of the family Pseudomelatomidae, but detailed descriptions of coloration and ornamentation remain limited, suggesting a need for further research.
Distribution
This marine species occurs in:
- Waters off Zululand and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- The Philippines and Taiwan.
Habitat
Otitoma oneili is found in sandy and muddy substrates in tropical and subtropical marine environments. It typically inhabits shallow to moderately deep waters, playing a role in the benthic ecosystem.
Taxonomic Remarks
Originally described as Drillia oneili by Barnard in 1958, the species has been reclassified under the genus Otitoma. Comparative studies with closely related taxa, such as Otitoma philpoppei and Otitoma xantholineata, have refined its taxonomic placement.
Conservation
The conservation status of Otitoma oneili has not been assessed. However, increasing threats to marine biodiversity highlight the importance of further research into its population and distribution.
References
- ^ a b MolluscaBase (2018). Otitoma oneili (Barnard, 1958). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=565536 on 2018-12-24
- ^ Morassi, M., Nappo, A., & Bonfitto, A. (2017). New species of the genus Otitoma from the Western Pacific. European Journal of Taxonomy, 304: 1-30. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2017.304
External links
- Tucker, J.K. 2004. Catalog of Recent and Fossil Turrids (Mollusca: Gastropoda). Zootaxa 682: 1-1295.
- Kilburn R.N. (2004). The identities of Otitoma and Antimitra (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Conidae and Buccinidae). African Invertebrates, 45: 263-270.
- Morassi M., Nappo A., & Bonfitto A. (2017). New species of the genus Otitoma (Pseudomelatomidae, Conoidea) from the Western Pacific Ocean. European Journal of Taxonomy, 304: 1-30.
- Gastropods.com: Otitoma oneili
