Revision of the genus Cuvierina Boas, 1886 based on integrative taxonomic data, including the description of a new species from the Pacific Ocean (Gastropoda, Thecosomata)

• Published in: ZooKeys 2016-01, Vol.619 (619), p.1-12
• Main Authors: Burridge, Alice K, Janssen, Arie W, Peijnenburg, Katja T C A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cuvierina; Discovery and exploration; Gastropoda; Introduced species; New species; Oceans; Taxonomic revision; Taxonomy; Thecosomata; Zoology
• ISSN: 1313-2989; 1313-2970
• DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.619.10043

Shelled pteropods (Gastropoda, Thecosomata, Euthecosomata) are a group of holoplanktonic gastropods that occur predominantly in the surface layers of the world's oceans. Accurate species identifications are essential for tracking changes in species assemblages of planktonic gastropods, because different species are expected to have different sensitivities to ocean changes. The genus has a worldwide warm water distribution pattern between ~36°N and ~39°S. Based on an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphometric, genetic, and biogeographic information, the two subgenera of , and , are rejected. A new species is introduced: , which has to date been considered the same species as . is endemic to the Pacific Ocean and is characterised by a shell height of 7.2-8.0 mm, a moderately cylindrical shell shape, the absence of micro-ornamentation and a triangular aperture. is restricted to the centre of the oligotrophic southern Pacific gyre, has a shell height of 6.6-8.5 mm, a more cylindrical shell shape, no micro-ornamentation and a less triangular aperture than