A Global Mission

The mission of the Ocean Census is to accelerate the discovery of ocean life to advance fundamental science, empower conservation, and fuel innovation for the future of our planet.

Join the Census

The Ocean Census Alliance unites national and philanthropic marine institutes, museums, and universities, backed by governments, philanthropy, business and civil society partners.

Gallery

Phylum

OC-SP-0002593

Stacked from 30 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)

Stacked from 24 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)

Species ID

OC-SP-0002593

Discovered

Phylum

Mollusca

Species ID

OC-SP-0002593

Provisional Species Name

Zafra sp_MNHN_IM_2000_40438

Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS

Zafra

Lowest Known Rank

Genus

Status

Discovered

Does the taxonomist(s) intend to work on this material further?

2. I/We already have plans to publish. (For marine invertebrates please know that SOSA could support you in this too - please click the button for more details).

Embargo

No

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Mollusca

Class

Gastropoda

Order

Neogastropoda

Family

Columbellidae

Genus

Zafra

Taxonomic Remarks

This species is closest to Zafra gracilenta Monsecour & Monsecour, 2016, but differs by its smaller size, lower number of teleoconch whorls, more rounded whorls, higher number of axial ribs and the different denticulation on the inside of the outer lip. Zafra dejugis Monsecour & Monsecour, 2016 has a protoconch with more whorls, a slightly incised suture, a lower number of axial ribs on the first teleoconch whorls and a less elegant shellshape.

Received All Minimal Data for Discovery

01/04/2026

Description of Material

Shell of average for the genus, adult size up to 3.0 mm; fusifom, elongate. Slightly rounded whorls. Suture slightly impressed. Protoconch paucispiral, consisting of about 1.5 smooth whorls. Transition to teleoconch rather weak. Teleoconch consisting of about 3.5 whorls. Axial sculpture of strong axial ribs with narrow interspaces on all whorls. There are 14-15 of these axial ribs on each whorl. On the last quarter of the last whorl there ribs become very weak and become obsolete closer to the aperture. Spiral sculpture absent, apart from the basal cords, which ventrally range to the adapical end of the columella. Aperture typical for the genus: rather narrow and elongate, about 43% of shell height. Outside of outer lip not thickened, with the continuation of the basal cords on the abapical end. Inside of outer lip with a clear sinus on the adapical end and a thickened knob just below this sinus, abapical end without thickening or denticles. Columellar callus clearly present, not raised, inside without a ridge and not denticulate. Parietal callus weak. Siphonal canal short, open, slightly recurved. First teleoconch whorls white and not translucent. Last whorl and aperture slightly translucent white. Columella and protoconch white. Height of holotype: 3.0 mm

Ecology

Direct developing species with paucispiral protoconch, so non planctotrophic larvae. Most likely endemic.

Distribution

MNHN SPANBIOS expedition: SPANBIOS: stn CP5221, 18°41,7’S, 163°06,1’E, 826-850m, 2 dd (holotype incl)

Scientific Name Authorship

Monsecour, Kevin

Stacked from 30 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)

Stacked from 24 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)

Join the census

The Ocean Census Alliance unites national and philanthropic marine institutes, museums, and universities, backed by governments, philanthropy, business and civil society partners.