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Gallery

Phylum

OC-SP-0002588

Stacked from 25 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)

Stacked from 22 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)

Species ID

OC-SP-0002588

Discovered

Phylum

Mollusca

Species ID

OC-SP-0002588

Provisional Species Name

Zafra imitans

Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS

Zafra

Lowest Known Rank

Genus

Status

Discovered

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Embargo

No

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Mollusca

Class

Gastropoda

Order

Neogastropoda

Family

Columbellidae

Genus

Zafra

Taxonomic Remarks

This species is a rather unique Zafra, which can be recognised easily by its color pattern.

Received All Minimal Data for Discovery

01/04/2026

Description of Material

Shell of average size for the genus, adult size up to 3.0 mm; fusifom, elongate. Slightly shouldered whorls. Suture slightly impressed. Protoconch paucispiral, consisting of about 1.5 smooth whorls. Transition to teleoconch clearly visible. Teleoconch consisting of about 3.5 whorls. Axial sculpture on all whorls, consisting of axial ribs with rather narrow interspaces. There are 16 ribs on the first two teleoconch whorl, and 14 on the next whorl. Last three axial ribs close to the aperture much weaker, alomst obsolete. Spiral sculpture apart from the basal cords consisting of one weak subsutural cord. Basal cords clearly present and reaching to the adapical end of the columella. Aperture rather narrow for the genus, about 48% of shell height. Outside of outer lip smooth, smightly thikened. Inside of outer lip with a clear sinus and with 5 denticles. Adapical most denticles much stronger, diminishing in strenght towards the siphonal canal. Columellar callus clearly present, slightly raised, with a not denticulate rim inside. Parietal callus rather weak, but present. Siphonal canal short, open, slightly recurved. Teleoconch whorls slihtly translucent, beige with a pattern of very fine slightly slanted brownish lines. Just below the suture a white non translucent spiral band is present. On the last whorl there is a second white band starting ventrally about half columellar height and running parallel over 2 basal cords. Aperture with the outside pattern shining through. Columella in the shell pattern.. Protoconch brown with white subsutural band. Height of holotype: 3.0 mm

Ecology

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

Distribution

MNHN SAYA expedition: Saya de Malha, stn YR22, 1°54’S, 62°00,4’E, 47m (holotype).

Scientific Name Authorship

Monsecour, Kevin

Stacked from 25 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)

Stacked from 22 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.