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Haplocochlias lucasensis

Haplocochlias lucasensis is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Skeneidae.[1][2] The Haplocochlias lucasensis is part of the Skeneidae family, a group of small sea snails known for their small, often delicate shells.[3] This species is marine and falls under the broader class of Gastropoda, which is the largest and most diverse class within the phylum Mollusca.[4]

Haplocochlias lucasensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Vetigastropoda
Order: Trochida
Superfamily: Trochoidea
Family: Skeneidae
Genus: Haplocochlias
Species:
H. lucasensis
Binomial name
Haplocochlias lucasensis
(Strong, 1934)
Synonyms
  • Arene lucasensis (Strong, 1934)
  • Liotia lucasensis Strong, 1934 (original combination)

Description

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The height of the shell attains 1.7 mm and its diameter 1.6 mm. The physical characteristics of H. lucasensis are distinct, with a small, rounded shell that usually measures only a few millimeters in diameter.[5] The shell is often transparent or lightly colored, aiding the snail’s camouflage against sandy or rocky seabeds where it resides. Its low spire and fine, concentric ridges on the shell surface offer further protection by allowing it to blend seamlessly into its environment.[6] This morphology not only helps H. lucasensis avoid detection by predators but also minimizes its energy expenditure, as it requires less material to construct its delicate shell.

Distribution

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Haplocochlias lucasensis is geographically concentrated in the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, and around the coastal waters of Baja California in Mexico.[7] It is typically found in shallow to moderately deep waters, although specific depth preferences for this species have not been well documented. It favors sandy or rocky substrates, where it can find food and shelter.[8] The choice of habitat is strategic, as these substrates offer excellent camouflage opportunities and provide access to microalgae and detritus, which are central to its diet.[9] This distribution and habitat preference enable H. lucasensis to exploit coastal resources effectively while minimizing exposure to potential threats.

Diet and feeding behavior

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The diet of H. lucasensis is composed mainly of microalgae and detritus, classifying it as a micro-grazer.[10] This feeding strategy involves scraping food particles from rock surfaces and sand using its radula, a tongue-like organ equipped with tiny, chitinous teeth. By consuming microalgae, H. lucasensis contributes to the ecological balance of its environment, helping to prevent algal overgrowth on substrates.[11] Its dietary role positions it as both a consumer in the ecosystem and a food source for larger marine animals, establishing its place within the local food chain and underlining its importance in maintaining coastal biodiversity.[12]

Reproduction and lifecycle

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In terms of reproduction, H. lucasensis likely follows a pattern similar to other marine snails within its family, which generally involves releasing eggs into the water column or onto surfaces.[13] These eggs develop into planktonic larvae, a stage that allows for greater dispersal before they settle and grow into juvenile snails.[14] Although the specifics of H. lucasensis’ lifecycle are not well documented, this developmental process enables the species to spread across a broad area, ensuring population continuity and genetic diversity.[15] Such reproductive strategies are common among small marine snails, as they allow for rapid colonization of available habitats.[16]

References

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  1. ^ Rosenberg, G. (2012). Haplocochlias lucasensis (Strong, 1934). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=575620 on 2012-09-01
  2. ^ Keen M. (1971) Sea shells of tropical West America. Marine mollusks from Baja California to Perú, ed. 2. Stanford University Press. 1064 pp.
  3. ^ Bouchet, Philippe; Rocroi, Jean-Pierre; Hausdorf, Bernhard; Kaim, Andrzej; Kano, Yasunori; Nützel, Alexander; Parkhaev, Pavel; Schrödl, Michael; Strong, Ellen E. (December 2017). "Revised Classification, Nomenclator and Typification of Gastropod and Monoplacophoran Families". Malacologia. 61 (1–2): 1–526. doi:10.4002/040.061.0201. ISSN 0076-2997.
  4. ^ "MolluscaBase". www.molluscabase.org. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  5. ^ "A new form of Pocket Gopher from southern Mono County, California". Transactions of the San Diego Society of Natural History. 7: 373–374. 1934. doi:10.5962/bhl.part.6164. ISSN 0080-5947.
  6. ^ Rodriguez, Maria; Estes-Smargiassi, Kathryn (2016). "Women of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: Genrations of Female Paleontologists and Their Conntributions". Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Geological Society of America. doi:10.1130/abs/2016am-282548.
  7. ^ Caspers, H. (January 1974). "A. Myra Keen (With the Assistence of James H. McLean): Sea Shells of Tropical West America. Marine Mollusks from Baja California to Peru. – Second Edition. With 22 color plates, 1004 pp. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1971. $ 29.50". Internationale Revue der gesamten Hydrobiologie und Hydrographie. 59 (2): 304–304. doi:10.1002/iroh.19740590254. ISSN 0020-9309.
  8. ^ Brusca, Richard C., ed. (2010-04-15). The Gulf of California. University of Arizona Press. ISBN 978-0-8165-0275-2.
  9. ^ Smith, C. Lavett; Paxton, John R.; Eschmeyer, William N. (1996-02-02). "Encyclopedia of Fishes". Copeia. 1996 (1): 235. doi:10.2307/1446971. ISSN 0045-8511.
  10. ^ Turner, J. T., "Harmful Algae Interactions with Marine Planktonic Grazers", Ecological Studies, Springer Berlin Heidelberg, pp. 259–270, ISBN 978-3-540-32209-2, retrieved 2024-10-29
  11. ^ C. R., Reseñista (1980-01-01). "Phyllis Deane. The evolution of economic ideas. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 1978". Estudios Demográficos y Urbanos. 14 (01): 127. doi:10.24201/edu.v14i01.492. ISSN 2448-6515.
  12. ^ Gili, Josep-Maria; Coma, Rafel (August 1998). "Benthic suspension feeders: their paramount role in littoral marine food webs". Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 13 (8): 316–321. doi:10.1016/s0169-5347(98)01365-2. ISSN 0169-5347.
  13. ^ Mayorga-Adame, CG; Polton, JA; Fox, AD; Henry, LA (2022-03-10). "Spatiotemporal scales of larval dispersal and connectivity among oil and gas structures in the North Sea". Marine Ecology Progress Series. 685: 49–67. doi:10.3354/meps13970. ISSN 0171-8630.
  14. ^ Bashevkin, Samuel M.; Pechenik, Jan A. (September 2015). "The interactive influence of temperature and salinity on larval and juvenile growth in the gastropod Crepidula fornicata (L.)". Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 470: 78–91. doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2015.05.004. ISSN 0022-0981.
  15. ^ Thorson, Gunnar (January 1950). "Reproductive and Larval Ecology of Marine Bottom Invertebrates". Biological Reviews. 25 (1): 1–45. doi:10.1111/j.1469-185x.1950.tb00585.x. ISSN 1464-7931.
  16. ^ Horning, Ned; Robinson, Julie A.; Sterling, Eleanor J.; Turner, Woody; Spector, Sacha (2010-07-01), "Marine and coastal environments", Remote Sensing for Ecology and Conservation, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-921994-0, retrieved 2024-10-29
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