| Alvania | |
|---|---|
| Alvania clathrella | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Littorinimorpha |
| Superfamily: | Rissooidea |
| Family: | Rissoidae |
| Genus: | Alvania Risso, 1826 |
| Type species | |
| Alvania europea Risso, 1826 | |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Alvania is a genus of minute sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks or micromollusks in the family Rissoidae.
They form a very diversified group within the Rissoidae family.
Alvania as currently used may not be monophyletic.
The genus Alvinia has been synonymized with Alvania, until a consistent phylogenetic scheme emerges for the whole group. As of 2012[update], is sometimes considered a separate genus.
The genus Alvania comprises species with small shells with heights measuring between 1 mm and 7 mm. Their general shape is ovate-conical, reticulated with axial and spirals elements. They have a continuous peristome. Their coloration is variable.
Some species such as Alvania sculptilis have been named twice with the second naming becoming a junior secondary homonym. However, the genus Alvania as currently used has a very broad taxonomic extension, and these species may very well end up in different genera when a robust phylogeny becomes available.
These marine species can be found worldwide (except in the antarctic and subantarctic regions). They can be found from intertidal depths to abyssal depths.
Species within the genus Alvania include:
Media related to Alvania at Wikimedia Commons