Gibberula borbonica
| Gibberula borbonica | |
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| Shell of Gibberula borbonica (holotype at MNHN, Paris)[1] | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Family: | Cystiscidae |
| Subfamily: | Cystiscinae |
| Genus: | Gibberula |
| Species: | G. borbonica
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| Binomial name | |
| Gibberula borbonica Boyer, 2014[2]
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Gibberula borbonica is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cystiscidae. First described in 2014 based on specimens collected off Réunion in the Indian Ocean, it is part of a taxonomic revision of the genus Gibberula from the Mascarene Islands.[2]
Description
[edit]The shell of Gibberula borbonica is small, reaching a length of 2.3 mm. It has an ovoid shape with a low spire and a thickened outer lip, characteristic of the genus Gibberula. The shell surface is smooth or faintly sculptured, possibly featuring fine spiral lines or axial ribs.[2] The holotype specimen suggests a white or pale cream coloration.[1]
Distribution
[edit]This species is recorded from coastal waters off Réunion, notably around St. Gilles, and is considered endemic to the Mascarene Islands.[2][3]
Ecology
[edit]As a cystiscid, Gibberula borbonica is likely a carnivorous or scavenging gastropod, feeding on small marine organisms such as foraminiferans or tiny crustaceans.[4] Its small size suggests a specialized niche in shallow reef-associated habitats.
Taxonomy
[edit]The species was formally described by French malacologist Franck Boyer in 2014, based on material from Réunion.[2] It is recognized in the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) with no known synonyms.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Gibberula borbonica Boyer, 2014". Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Boyer, F. (2014). "Révision des Gibberula (Gastropoda: Cystiscidae) du niveau récifal de l'archipel des Mascareignes". Xenophora Taxonomy. 5: 7–16.
- ^ a b "Gibberula borbonica Boyer, 2014". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ Beesley, P.L.; Ross, G.J.B.; Wells, A. (1998). Mollusca: The Southern Synthesis. Fauna of Australia. Vol. 5. CSIRO Publishing. pp. 766–767. ISBN 0643057560.