Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Gastropoda
- Clade: Caenogastropoda
- Superfamily: Muricoidea
- Family: Marginellidae
- Genus: Marginella
- Species: Marginella carquejai
Authority
The species name Marginella carquejai is attributed to Gofas, 1992, as recorded in the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS).
Description
Marginella carquejai is a marine gastropod mollusk belonging to the family Marginellidae, commonly referred to as margin snails. Like other members of the family, it possesses a small, glossy, ovate‑conical shell with a reduced spire and a thickened outer lip. Detailed morphological characteristics (such as shell size, coloration, and internal anatomy) specific to this species have not been comprehensively described in publicly accessible literature.
Distribution and Habitat
The precise geographic range of M. carquejai is not extensively documented. Available records place the species in marine environments off the western coast of Africa, consistent with the distribution of many Marginella species in the eastern Atlantic. It is presumed to inhabit sandy or muddy substrates in shallow subtidal zones, where margin snails typically feed on microfauna.
Ecology
Members of the family Marginellidae are carnivorous, preying on small invertebrates. While specific ecological studies on M. carquejai are lacking, it is reasonable to infer similar feeding habits and ecological roles based on its familial traits.
Conservation Status
No assessment of the conservation status of Marginella carquejai has been published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Consequently, its population trends and potential threats remain undocumented.
References
- Gofas, S. (1992). Marginella carquejai n. sp. (Gastropoda, Marginellidae) from West Africa. Journal of Conchology, 34(2), 145‑150.
- World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). Marginella carquejai Gofas, 1992. Accessed 2026-06-13.
Note: Information on this species is limited; many aspects of its biology, distribution, and ecology remain insufficiently documented in the scientific literature.