Brookula proseila

Brookula proseila
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Subclass:	Vetigastropoda
Family:	incertae sedis
Genus:	Brookula
Species:	B. proseila
Binomial name
Brookula proseila Absalão & Pimenta, 2005[1]
Synonyms
Benthobrookula proseila Absalao & Pimenta, 2005

Brookula proseila is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk unassigned in the superfamily Seguenzioidea.^[2]

Description

• Size & shape: A minute, trochiform (turban-shaped) shell with an elevated spire; adults reach ~1.91 mm in height and ~1.67 mm in width; shell color white.
• Protoconch: Globose, ~1+1⁄2 whorls, ~260 μm in diameter; surface with dense, anastomosing micro-ribs forming tiny alveolar pits (a honeycomb-like micro-sculpture typical for Brazilian Brookula).
• Teleoconch: Up to 3 whorls; whorl profile generally convex but slightly flattened just below a deep suture.
• Axial sculpture: Strong, narrow, orthocline ribs (≈24 on the last whorl in the holotype); interspaces broad (≈3× rib width); fine microscopic axial lines present in the interspaces. Critically, the axial ribs do not enter the umbilicus (see Comparisons).
• Spiral sculpture: About 20 thin, regularly spaced cords on the last whorl plus base; cords cross the axial ribs. Around the umbilicus there are 3–4 stronger spiral cords that surround and enter the umbilical opening.

• Aperture & umbilicus: Aperture rounded, holostomate; outer lip thin. The umbilicus is deep (relatively narrow in outline) and circled by the stronger spiral cords noted above.

Distribution

This species occurs in the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil, found at depths between 50 m and 900 m.

References

1. Absalao, R. S. and A. D. Pimenta. 2005. New records and new species of Vetulonia Dall, 1913 and Brookula Iredale, 1912 from Brazil (Gastropoda: Trochidae). Veliger 47: 193–201
2. Brookula proseila Absalão & Pimenta, 2005. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 22 April 2010.