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-0002596

Stacked from 36 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)

Stacked from 32 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)

Species ID

OC-SP-0002596

Discovered

Phylum

Mollusca

Species ID

OC-SP-0002596

Provisional Species Name

Zafrona sp_MNHN_IM_2000_40432

Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS

Zafrona

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

Zafrona

Taxonomic Remarks

This species belongs to the same group as both preceding species. It differs from Z. sp1 by its more elegant shell, higher number of both axial ribs and spiral cords, different aperture form with a much thinner outer lip with much weaker denticles and a weaker sinus. It differs from Z. sp2 by its bigger size, less shouldered whorls, not so strong axial and spiral ribbing, the higher number of axial ribs and spiral cords, the wider aperture and different color pattern.

Received All Minimal Data for Discovery

01/04/2026

Description of Material

Shell of average for the genus, adult size up to 3.3 mm; fusifom, elongate. Rounded whorls. Suture slightly impressed. Protoconch paucispiral and elongate, consisting of about 1.25 whorls. First part of protoconch smooth, last part close to the trasition to the teleoconch whit very weak axial cords. Transition to teleoconch clearly visible. Teleoconch consisting of about 3.5-3.6 whorls. Axial sculpture of strong axial ribs with interspaces of about the same width as the ribs on all whorls. There are 13 of these axial ribs on the first whorl, increasing to 16 on the last whorl. Spiral sculpture consisting of narrow spiral cords, which overrun the axial sculpture, hereby creating a knobby appearance on the intersections of axial and spiral sculpture . There are five of these cords on the first whorl increasing to six cords on the penultimate whorl. Last whorl with 10 of these cords of which the adapical most is very weak. These cords go over in the basal cords, which ventrally range to about 2/3 of the columellar height. Aperture average width for the genus, about 44% of shell height. Outside of outer lip slightly thickened, with the continuation of the spiral sculpture. Inside of outer lip with a weak sinus on the adapical end and five rather weak denticles near the edge of the aperture, two most adapical ones and the most abapical one stronger, the two in between very weak. Columellar callus clearly present, slightly raised, with a weak ridge of semi-merged denticles on the abapical side. Parietal callus clearly present. Siphonal canal short, open, slightly recurved. Teleoconch whorls off-white to cream. Aperture and columella white. Protoconch white with some cream near the nucleus. Height of holotype: 3.3 mm

Ecology

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

Distribution

MNHN SPANBIOS expedition: stn DW5239, 18°07,3’S, 163°02’E, 249-251m (holotype).

Scientific Name Authorship

Monsecour, Kevin

Stacked from 36 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)

Stacked from 32 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.