The shell of Pseudorbis jameoensis is notably small, attaining a height of 0.72 mm and a diameter of 0.84 mm.[2] It exhibits a tightly coiled, trochiform (top-shaped) structure typical of Skeneidae, with a low spire and rounded whorls. The shell surface is likely smooth or faintly sculptured, possibly with fine spiral lines, though specific details are not fully elaborated in accessible sources. The aperture is small and rounded, consistent with the genus Pseudorbis. Coloration is not detailed in the original description summary, but related species like Pseudorbis granulum suggest it may be whitish or translucent.
Distribution
This marine species occurs in the Atlantic Ocean off the Canary Islands, specifically recorded from Lanzarote.[2][1] It was collected from Jameos del Agua, a volcanic cave system with marine pools, indicating a unique habitat among anchialine (coastal cave) environments. The depth range and broader distribution remain unspecified in available literature.
Ecology
Pseudorbis jameoensis inhabits marine-influenced cave pools, such as those in Jameos del Agua, suggesting it is adapted to anchialine conditions with fluctuating salinity.[2] As a member of the Skeneidae family, it is likely a grazing or detritivorous species, feeding on microalgae, bacteria, or organic detritus, typical of small trochoidean gastropods.[3] Its minute size and habitat suggest a specialized ecological niche, though detailed studies on its behavior or life cycle are lacking.
Taxonomy
Pseudorbis jameoensis was described by F. Rubio and C. Rodríguez Babio in 1991 in the journal Iberus, based on specimens from the Canary Islands.[2] The species is accepted in the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) with no recorded synonyms.[1] It belongs to the genus Pseudorbis, which differs from other Skeneidae genera by its compact shell and subtle sculpture. The original description also discusses its systematic relation to Pseudorbis granulum Brugnone, 1873, refining the genus’s taxonomy.[2]
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