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Nipponotrophon makassarensis | |
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Shell of Nipponotrophon makassarensis (holotype at MNHN, Paris) | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
Order: | Neogastropoda |
Family: | Muricidae |
Genus: | Nipponotrophon |
Species: | N. makassarensis |
Binomial name | |
Nipponotrophon makassarensis Houart, 1985 |
Nipponotrophon makassarensis is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Muricidae, the murex snails or rock snails. [1] First described by Houart in 1984, this species is known from the coastal waters off Indonesia—especially in the vicinity of Makassar—and is noted for its robust shell and uniquely sculptured morphology. Its discovery added to the diversity of muricids in the Indo-Pacific region and continues to be of interest to malacologists and marine ecologists alike
The shell of Nipponotrophon makassarensis reaches a length of approximately 37.5 mm. It is characterized by:
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Nipponotrophon makassarensis is known from marine waters in the Indo-Pacific region, with verified occurrences primarily recorded off Indonesia. Key details include:
The discovery of N. makassarensis through dredging indicates that it may favor environments where sediment and current dynamics create microhabitats suitable for its cryptic lifestyle .
Direct studies on the ecology of Nipponotrophon makassarensis remain limited; however, its ecological role can be inferred from similarities with other muricid snails:
While the specific reproductive biology of Nipponotrophon makassarensis is not comprehensively documented, parallels with other Muricidae suggest the following:
The specific epithet makassarensis refers to the Makassar region in Indonesia, underscoring the species' type locality. Though members of the genus Nipponotrophon share common structural elements, N. makassarensis is differentiated by its distinct shell features and subtle variations in ornamentation .
Nipponotrophon makassarensis was first recognized as a new species following dredging operations conducted in Indonesian waters. Houart's seminal work in 1984—and subsequent detailed descriptions published in 1985 and 1986—highlighted the species' unusual shell characteristics and its placement within the Trophoninae subfamily. The discovery has spurred further taxonomic evaluation, and ongoing research may yield insights into the evolutionary relationships among Indo-Pacific muricids .
To date, there has been no formal evaluation of the conservation status of Nipponotrophon makassarensis by organizations such as the IUCN. The species' relatively restricted known range and its specialized habitat preferences suggest that it could be vulnerable to environmental disturbances, including habitat degradation and the impacts of dredging practices. Future ecological assessments will be necessary to determine whether conservation measures should be implemented .