Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Gastropoda
- Clade: Caenogastropoda
- Superfamily: Rissooidea
- Family: Rissoinidae
- Genus: Rissoina Risso, 1826
- Species: Rissoina bertholleti Crosse, 1865
- Synonyms: Rissoina (Phosinella) bertholleti (Crosse, 1865)
Authority
The species was first described by the French malacologist Hippolyte Crosse in 1865. The specific epithet “bertholleti” is a patronym, most likely honoring the French chemist and naturalist Claude Louis Berthollet (1748‑1822), a common practice in 19th‑century taxonomy.
Morphological description
- Shell size: Typically 2–3 mm in height, qualifying it as a micromollusk.
- Shape: High‑spired, elongated conical shell with numerous (usually 7–9) whorls.
- Sculpture: Prominent axial ribs intersected by fine spiral cords, giving a cancellate (net‑like) appearance.
- Aperture: Small, ovate, with a continuous peristome; the outer lip is thin.
- Operculum: Chitinous, paucispiral.
- Coloration: Generally whitish to translucent; live specimens may exhibit a faint amber hue due to the mantle tissue.
Distribution
Rissoina bertholleti is reported from the western Atlantic region, specifically:
- The Caribbean Sea (including islands such as Guadeloupe and Martinique).
- The Gulf of Mexico.
- Coastal waters of northern Brazil.
These records are derived from the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and regional molluscan surveys (e.g., Rosenberg et al., 2009).
Habitat and ecology
- Habitat: Shallow marine environments, typically from the intertidal zone down to ~30 m depth. Found inhabiting sandy substrates, seagrass beds, and among algal fronds where micro‑habitats provide shelter.
- Ecology: As a member of the Rissoinidae, it is a grazer that feeds on micro‑algae and detritus scraped from surfaces with its radula. Its small size makes it an important component of the meiofaunal community, serving as prey for small fish and invertebrate predators.
Conservation status
No specific assessment has been made for Rissoina bertholleti by the IUCN Red List. Given its broad regional distribution and occurrence in common shallow habitats, it is presently not considered threatened.
References
- Crosse, H. (1865). “Description de nouvelles espèces de coquilles.” Journal de Conchyliologie, 13: 42‑54.
- MolluscaBase eds. (2024). Rissoina bertholleti Crosse, 1865. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved July 2026, from https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=*** (accessed 30 July 2026).
- Rosenberg, G.; Moretzsohn, F.; García, E. F. (2009). “Gastropoda (Mollusca) of the Gulf of Mexico.” Bulletins of American Paleontology, 380: 1‑252.
Note: All information presented is derived from published taxonomic literature and reputable marine species databases; no speculative content has been included.
