| Seguenzia hapala | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Vetigastropoda |
| Family: | Seguenziidae |
| Genus: | Seguenzia |
| Species: | S. hapala |
| Binomial name | |
| Seguenzia hapala Woodring, 1928 [1] | |
| Synonyms | |
Seguenzia monocingulataauct. non Seguenza, 1876 | |
Seguenzia hapala is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Seguenziidae. [2]
The height of the shell of Seguenzia hapala attains 3 mm, with a delicate, translucent appearance characteristic of many deep-sea gastropods. The shell is conical and finely sculptured with spiral ridges, providing structural strength despite its fragile composition. The aperture is oval-shaped, and the species possesses an operculum that allows it to protect itself when retracted into the shell. The coloration is typically whitish to pale, which is an adaptation to its deep-sea habitat with minimal light.
As a detritivore, Seguenzia hapala plays a role in the marine ecosystem by consuming organic material that settles on the ocean floor. This diet helps to recycle nutrients and maintain the balance of deep-sea environments. The snail's radula, a specialized feeding organ, is adapted for scraping detritus and microscopic particles off soft substrates.
This marine species occurs in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, the Lesser Antilles; in the Atlantic Ocean off Florida and Northern Brazil at depths between 80 m and 150 m. The species is tropical and most commonly found on soft substrates; with a range of 25°N - 30°S, 82°E - 50°E. [3]