Porosalvania profundior Gofas 2007

Type of larval development: direct (non planktotrophic) denoted by paucispiral protoconch.

Shell 2.4- 3.5 mm high, with protoconch of 1.5 whorl and teleoconch of 3.5 to 4.25 whorls. Protoconch smooth, teleoconch with a sculpture of rather strong axial ribs, and faint spiral cords overrunning the ribs; one spiral cord at some distance abapically from the suture marking a shoulder on the whorls. Teleoconch with characteristic “Porosalvania” microsculpture consisting of minute (ca. 1 µm) pits randomly distributed, visible only under high magnification of scanning electron microscope. Outer lip opisthocline, with a thin edge and thickened externally at a distance of the edge by a thick, elevated rim, usually not overrun by the spirals; smooth inside. Shell white. Operculum thin, paucispiral, with eccentric nucleus. The high spire with elevated ribs and opisthocline lip makes this species to resemble Frigidoalvania thalassae Bouchet and Warén, 1993. However the latter lacks the pitted microsculpture, has broad flat cord with narrow grooved interspaces, and a more conical protoconch with spiral grooves.

Hyères, Atlantis and Tyro seamounts, very common in 845-1340 m; Irving & Cruiser, rare in 670-1035 m.