Alzoniella
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| Alzoniella | |
|---|---|
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| Apertural view of a shell of Alzoniella slovenica | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Littorinimorpha |
| Superfamily: | Truncatelloidea |
| Family: | Hydrobiidae |
| Subfamily: | Islamiinae |
| Genus: | Alzoniella Giusti & Bodon, 1984[1] |
| Type species | |
| Alzoniella finalina Fo. Giusti & Bodon, 1984 (type by original designation) | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Alzoniella (Alzoniella) Fo. Giusti & Bodon, 1984 alternative representation | |
Alzoniella is a genus of minute freshwater spring snails, aquatic gastropod mollusks or micromollusks in the subfamily Islamiinae of the family Hydrobiidae.[2]
All the species within the snail genus Alzoniella are crenobiotic, i.e. they are dependent on springs as a habitat. Some are stygobiont, i.e. living exclusively in underground rivers. They are tiny to minute, usually with delicate, elongated, white or translucent shells. The conical to cylindrical-conical shells often have smooth or finely striated surfaces, and the three to four whorls are quite convex (except the body whorl) with deep sutures.[3]
Distribution
Alzoniella is primarily found in Europe (mainly in Spain), often in very localized, isolated habitats, with some species restricted to underground freshwater habitats such as specific springs or cave systems.
