Alvania | |
---|---|
Alvania clathrella | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
Order: | Littorinimorpha |
Superfamily: | Rissooidea |
Family: | Rissoidae |
Genus: |
Alvania Risso, 1826 [1] |
Type species | |
Alvania europea Risso, 1826 | |
Species | |
See text | |
Synonyms [2] | |
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Alvania is a genus of minute sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks or micromollusks in the family Rissoidae. [2]
They form a very diversified group within the Rissoidae family.
Alvania as currently used may not be monophyletic. [3]
The genus Alvinia has been synonymized with Alvania, until a consistent phylogenetic scheme emerges for the whole group. As of 2012 [update], is sometimes considered a separate genus. [4]
The genus Alvania comprises species with small shells with heights measuring between 1 mm and 7 mm. Their general shape is ovate-conical, reticulated with axial and spirals elements. They have a continuous peristome. Their coloration is variable. [5]
Some species such as Alvania sculptilis have been named twice with the second naming becoming a junior secondary homonym. However, the genus Alvania as currently used has a very broad taxonomic extension, and these species may very well end up in different genera when a robust phylogeny becomes available. [2]
These marine species can be found worldwide (except in the antarctic and subantarctic regions). They can be found from intertidal depths to abyssal depths. [6]
Species within the genus Alvania include:
Media related to Alvania at Wikimedia Commons