Boll. Malacol., 58 pp 14-17

: Volume 58 Anno 2022; 20 April 2022; Hits: 215; Rating:
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First Mediterranean record of Micropilina minuta Warén, 1989 (Monoplacophora: Neopilinidae)

Francesco Giusti* & Pasquale Micali# (*)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.53559/BollMalacol.2021.21

* via XXV Aprile, 19/E,
I-57017 Collesalvetti, Italy,
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# via Papiria, 17, I-61032
Fano (PU), Italy,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (*)
corresponding author

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Abstract

The lilliputian and elusive monoplacophoran Micropilina minuta Warén, 1989 is recorded for the first time from the Mediterranean basin upon various records of empty shells trawled between 270 and 700 m in the Tuscan Archipelago (northern Tyrrhenian Sea). Our data reveal that Micropilina minuta often co-occurs with the only other monoplacophoran previously recorded in the Mediterranean, Veleropilina reticulata (Seguenza G., 1876).Micropilina minuta Warén, originally described on material from Iceland, was later found in the lower Pleistocene of Archi (Reggio Calabria, Italy). Although some shells are definitely fresh, the absence of live collected specimens leaves open the possibility that the species is no longer living in the Mediterranean Sea.Micropilina minuta differs from V. reticulata for the more ovoidal outline, constricted toward the apex and the presence of about seven deep pits instead of shallow, not well-defined pits, on the apical cup.

Key Words
Monoplacophoran, Micropilina minuta, Veleropilina reticulata, Mediterranean Sea.

Riassunto

[Prima segnalazione di Micropilina minuta Warén, 1989 in Mediterraneo (Arcipelago Toscano, Mar Tirreno) (Monoplacophora: Neopilinidae)]. Viene segnalata per la prima volta la presenza in Mediterraneo del microscopico ed elusivo monoplacoforo Micropilina minuta Warén, 1989. Varie conchiglie sono state rinvenute nei residui di pescate a strascico tra 270 e 700 m in vari siti dell’Arcipelago Toscano (Mar Tirreno settentrionale). I nostri dati rivelano che Micropilina minuta spesso co-occorre con l’unico monoplacoforo precedentemente segnalato per il Mar Mediterraneo, Veleropilina reticulata (Seguenza G., 1876).Micropilina minuta, originariamente descritta su materiale islandese, è stata successivamente ritrovata nel Pleistocene inferiore di Archi (Reggio Calabria, Italia). Sebbene alcune conchiglie siano piuttosto fresche, l’assenza di esemplari con parti molli lascia tuttavia aperta la possibilità che la specie non viva attualmente nel Mediterraneo.Micropilina minuta differisce da V. reticulata per il profilo più ovoidale, ristretto verso l’apice e la presenza di circa sette fossette profonde anziché superficiali e non ben definite, sull’apice.

Parole chiave
Monoplacophora, Micropilina minuta, Veleropilina reticulata, Mar Mediterraneo

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