Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Gastropoda
- Clade: Caenogastropoda
- Superfamily: Conoidea
- Family: Mitromorphidae
- Genus: Mitromorpha Blainville, 1829
- Species: Mitromorpha gofasi Mifsud, 2001
Authority
The species was formally described by C. Mifsud in 2001. The original description appears in:
- Mifsud, C. (2001). The genus Mitromorpha (Gastropoda: Turridae) in the Mediterranean. Journal of Conchology, 38(5): 401‑410.
Etymology
The specific epithet gofasi honors the malacologist Serge Gofas for his contributions to marine molluscan taxonomy.
Diagnostic Characteristics
- Shell size: Small, typically 5–7 mm in length.
- Shape: Elongate‑fusiform with a relatively high spire.
- Sculpture: Prominent axial ribs intersected by fine spiral cords, creating a cancellate (grid‑like) pattern on the whorls.
- Aperture: Narrow, with a short siphonal canal.
- Coloration: Generally whitish to pale brown, sometimes bearing faint darker axial streaks.
These traits differentiate M. gofasi from congeners that may have smoother shells or different rib counts.
Distribution and Habitat
Mitromorpha gofasi is known from the central Mediterranean Sea, particularly from offshore localities near Malta and Sicily. Specimens have been collected at depths ranging from 30 m to 80 m on sandy‑mud substrates.
Ecology
As a member of the family Mitromorphidae, M. gofasi is presumed to be a predatory marine snail, likely feeding on small invertebrates. Specific dietary observations for this species have not been reported.
Conservation Status
The species has not been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); no specific threats have been documented.
References and Databases
- World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). Mitromorpha gofasi Mifsud, 2001. Accessed [date]. https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=XXXXX (replace XXXXX with the actual AphiaID).
- Mifsud, C. (2001). The genus Mitromorpha (Gastropoda: Turridae) in the Mediterranean. Journal of Conchology, 38(5): 401‑410.
Notes
- The classification follows the latest consensus in the Conoidea taxonomy, where Mitromorphidae is recognized as a distinct family.
- Further molecular studies could clarify phylogenetic relationships within the genus Mitromorpha.
