Gibberula boulmerkae

Gibberula boulmerkae
Shell of Gibberula boulmerkae (holotype at MNHN, Paris)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Family: Cystiscidae
Subfamily: Cystiscinae
Genus: Gibberula
Species:
G. boulmerkae
Binomial name
Gibberula boulmerkae
Ortea, 2015

Gibberula boulmerkae is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk, in the family Cystiscidae. It is named after Algerian athlete Hassiba Boulmerka.[1][2]

Description

The shell is very small, reaching about 2.2 mm in length, smooth and glossy, with a broadly biconical shape. The spire is relatively wide and not sharply pointed. The aperture is narrow and elongated, with internal lirations on the anterior part of the outer lip. The columella bears several folds, with the anterior folds being more developed than the posterior ones. The shell is translucent white to nearly crystalline in appearance.[2]

Type material

The holotype measures 2.2 mm in length and 1.4 mm in width and it is deposited in the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (MNHN), Paris. The type locality is Anse Babin, Vieux-Bourg, Guadeloupe.[2]

Distribution

This marine species occurs in shallow waters off Guadeloupe.[1]

Habitat

The species inhabits shallow coastal environments and has been collected from rocky substrates.[2]

Etymology

The species is named in honour of Algerian middle-distance runner Hassiba Boulmerka, Olympic gold medallist and recipient of the Prince of Asturias Award.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b MolluscaBase (2018). Gibberula boulmerkae Ortea, 2015. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=865608 on 2019-01-05
  2. ^ a b c d e Ortea, J. (2015). "Descripción de 21 especies de Gibberula Swainson, 1840 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Cystiscidae) en honor de 21 mujeres distinguidas con el Premio Príncipe de Asturias". Rev. Acad. Canar. Cienc. (in Spanish). 27: 147–148. Retrieved 22 April 2021.