{{about|the species Emarginula velascoi}}
Emarginula velascoi
Emarginula velascoi is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets. This species was first described by Shikama in 1962.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Gastropoda
- Subclass: Vetigastropoda
- Superfamily: Fissurelloidea
- Family: Fissurellidae
- Genus: Emarginula
- Species: Emarginula velascoi (Shikama, 1962)
Description
Like other members of the genus Emarginula, Emarginula velascoi possesses a limpet-like shell. These shells are typically conical or cap-shaped with a characteristic slit, notch, or emargination at the anterior margin. This opening serves as an exhalant siphon for waste water, a feature typical of fissurellid limpets. Shells of species within the Emarginula genus are generally small to medium-sized, often with intricate radial and concentric sculpture. The specific diagnostic features distinguishing Emarginula velascoi from other species within its genus would involve precise details of shell morphology, sculpture patterns, size, and coloration, as outlined in its original scientific description.Distribution and Habitat
Emarginula velascoi is reported from the Indo-Pacific region. Like many marine gastropods in this family, it typically inhabits hard substrata in subtidal zones, often associated with coral reefs or rocky environments, where it grazes on microalgae and detritus. Specific records often point to areas like the Philippines.Ecology
As a member of the Fissurellidae family, Emarginula velascoi is a herbivore, primarily grazing on benthic diatoms, microalgae, and other organic films found on rocks, corals, and other hard surfaces in its marine habitat.Conservation Status
The conservation status of Emarginula velascoi has not been formally assessed by organizations such as the IUCN Red List. This is common for many less charismatic or commercially exploited marine invertebrate species.See also
- [[Fissurellidae]]
- [[Gastropoda]]
- [[Mollusca]]
References
- Shikama, T. (1962). On some new and noteworthy mollusca from Japan. Science Reports of the Yokohama National University, Section II, 8: 12-18, pl. 1.
- [[World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)]]: [https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=724041 Emarginula velascoi (Shikama, 1962)]
- [[Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)]]: [https://www.gbif.org/species/5728863 Emarginula velascoi Shikama, 1962]
[[Category:Fissurellidae]] [[Category:Gastropods of the Indo-Pacific]] [[Category:Marine gastropods]]