Synaptocochlea
A genus of very small marine snails in the family Trochidae.
Synaptocochlea is a genus of tiny marine snails, belonging to the gastropod family Trochidae, commonly known as top snails. Their oval shells have a shape that falls between the genera *Stomatella* and *Gena*. The spire is very short and nearly marginal, while the shell surface shows spiral grooves or a crisscross pattern. The aperture is notably large, longer than it is wide, and the animal possesses an operculum. These snails are found in tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific, Indo-Malaysia, Oceania, and off the coasts of Australia (Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia). The genus includes species such as *Synaptocochlea asperulata*, *Synaptocochlea belmonti*, *Synaptocochlea caliginosa*, *Synaptocochlea concinna*, *Synaptocochlea granosa*, *Synaptocochlea montrouzieri*, *Synaptocochlea picta*, *Synaptocochlea pulchella*, and *Synaptocochlea stellata*. Additional species listed in the Indo-Pacific Molluscan Database are *Synaptocochlea hexagonum* and *Synaptocochlea tursicus*. Several names have been synonymized, including *Synaptocochlea inconcinna*, *Synaptocochlea lactea*, and *Synaptocochlea nigrita*, all now considered synonyms of *Synaptocochlea picta*, while *Synaptocochlea picta* (Montrouzier in Souverbie & Montrouzier, 1862) is a synonym of *Synaptocochlea montrouzieri*.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Synaptocochlea
- Type Species
- Stomatella montrouzieri
- Type Species Authority
- Pilsbry, 1890
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The genus Synaptocochlea comprises very small sea snails with an oval shell that is described as intermediate in contour between the genera Stomatella and Gena. The shell has a very short spire that is sub-marginal, and its surface is either spirally striated or decussated. The aperture is very large, longer than it is wide, and the animal possesses an operculum. This marine genus occurs in the tropical Indo-West Pacific, Indo-Malaysia, Oceania, and off the coasts of Australia (Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia). The source article lists several species within the genus, including Synaptocochlea asperulata, Synaptocochlea belmonti, Synaptocochlea caliginosa, Synaptocochlea concinna, Synaptocochlea granosa, Synaptocochlea montrouzieri, Synaptocochlea picta, Synaptocochlea pulchella, and Synaptocochlea stellata. The Indo-Pacific Molluscan Database also mentions Synaptocochlea hexagonum and Synaptocochlea tursicus. Several species have been brought into synonymy, such as Synaptocochlea inconcinna, Synaptocochlea lactea, and Synaptocochlea nigrita, all now considered synonyms of Synaptocochlea picta, and Synaptocochlea picta (Montrouzier in Souverbie & Montrouzier, 1862) is a synonym of Synaptocochlea montrouzieri.
Reader's Guide
The significance of Synaptocochlea lies in its classification within the family Trochidae, the top snails, and its distinctive shell morphology that bridges the forms of Stomatella and Gena. The genus is documented in the tropical Indo-West Pacific and adjacent regions, including parts of Australia. The source article provides a list of accepted species and notes synonymies, reflecting taxonomic revisions. The references include Vaught's 1989 classification of living Mollusca and Pilsbry's Manual of Conchology (1890-1891), which provide historical context for the genus. The entry does not assign any particular ecological or economic importance, but its inclusion in a reference compendium underscores its role in the systematic study of marine gastropods.
Did You Know?
- Synaptocochlea is a genus of very small sea snails in the family Trochidae.
- The shell is oval and intermediate between Stomatella and Gena in contour.
- Several species, such as Synaptocochlea inconcinna, are synonyms of Synaptocochlea picta.
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