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Species ID
OC-SP-0002296
Discovered
Phylum
Mollusca
Species ID
OC-SP-0002296
Provisional Species Name
Laevilacunaria sp_MNHNCL MOL 205496
Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS
Laevilacunaria
Lowest Known Rank
Genus
Status
Discovered
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Embargo
No
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Mollusca
Class
Gastropoda
Order
Littorinimorpha
Family
Littorinidae
Genus
Laevilacunaria
Date Identified
01/02/2026
Taxonomic Remarks
The South Georgia material represents Laevilacunaria sp. nov., supported by concordant evidence from shell morphology and radular characters. Although superficially similar to L. bennetti (Preston, 1916), the new species is consistently smaller (adults not exceeding 4 mm) and shows a subtle but recurrent shoulder on the body whorl near the onset of the aperture. The most diagnostic differences are in the radula (Rosenfeld et al., 2026): while both the Antarctic Peninsula L. bennetti and the South Georgia lineage have rachidian, lateral, and inner marginal teeth bearing numerous small denticles, the outer (external) marginal tooth differs markedly—it is unicuspid and lacks denticles in the South Georgia lineage, whereas in L. bennetti it bears four denticles. This combination of consistent size differences, shell profile, and diagnostic radular morphology supports recognition of the South Georgia lineage as a distinct species, and both morphological evidence and molecular data further support its status as a separate species.
Received All Minimal Data for Discovery
05/03/2026
Description of Material
Shell very small (adults ≤ 4 mm), globose to ovate, with a short spire and a large body whorl. Aperture broadly ovate, relatively large in proportion to shell size; peristome simple. Teleoconch smooth to weakly sculptured, with fine growth lines. In lateral/apertural view, the last whorl shows a weak but distinct shoulder at the onset of the aperture, producing a slight angularity in the whorl profile.
Ecology
Associated with macroalgae in coastal environments (algal-associated microhabitats; intertidal to shallow subtidal).
Distribution
Known only from South Georgia
Scientific Name Authorship
Rosenfeld
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