Scientists discover new deep-sea snail species in methane seep zones
Researchers have identified a previously unknown snail species living in methane seeps off the Pacific coast, marking the first genetic confirmation of this ancient snail family in such extreme environments. The discovery suggests that deep-sea ecosystems—increasingly targeted for resource extraction and monitored for climate impacts—harbor far greater biodiversity than previously documented, raising questions about how industrial activity might affect these fragile habitats.
Originaltitel: Levinaespira georgesnyderi gen. et sp. nov., a New Deep-Sea Snail (Gastropoda: Neomphalidae) from Eastern Pacific Methane Seeps
gen. et sp. nov. is separated from species in other described genera by at least 15.2% COI distance. It is morphologically distinctive in having lateral projections on the anterior foot, a lobe-shaped right cephalic lappet, and bilaterally symmetric cephalic tentacles without obvious reproductive modifications. This species represents the first genetically confirmed record of Neomphalidae at methane seeps and the shallowest known occurrence of this group at any environment. The new genus is named in honor of Professor Emerita Lisa Levin and the new species is named in memory of Collection Manager H. George Snyder (1931-1990) for their contributions to deep-sea invertebrate biology.