Oenopota ogasawarana Okutani, Fujikura & Sasaki, 1993 MANGELIIDAE -399m, Daikoku Volcano Hydrothermal Vent Field, Mariana Arc, Northern Mariana Islands, 23.7mm, F++ Oenopota ogasawarana is a mangeliid turrid endemic to hydrothermal vent fields of Kaikata Seamount, Daikoku Volcano, and Daini-Kasuga Seamount of the Izu-Bonin-Mariana Arc; the distribution range stretching across the border between Japan and Northern Mariana Islands (USA). These vent fields are rather shallow in depth ranging between -350~450m, and this species is only known from sandy to muddy bottoms around active vents. Although common where it is found the distribution is extremely limited in area and thus it is virtually impossible to obtain. Genetic studies have revealed high connectivity and gene exchange between its three populations which are up to 600km apart, they appear to do this through by having planktotrophic larvae which are carried by vent plumes for a long time and distance. Its feeding mechanisms are not known but is most likely a scavenger or predator of other vent organisms. A layer of thin greenish brown periostracum covers the entire shell, the apex is always corroded. Typical shell length around 20mm, giant specimens may exceed 30mm.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 18:10:01 +0000
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