Oenopota


Oenopota is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Mangeliidae.
This genus doesn't form a monophyletic group. Therefore many species are only tentatively placed within this genus.

Description

In 1941 Paul Bartsch described species in this genus as having large, heavy and elongate -ovate to elongate- turreted shells. The protoconch is smooth at the apex, succeeded by a whorl with three spiral cords and rather distantly spaced axial ribs. The longitudinal ribs become stronger on succeeding whorls but evanesce at the base of the shell. The spiral sculpture weakens on succeeding whorls and finally becomes mere threads. The pear-shaped aperture is deeply channeled anteriorly. It shows in the outer lip near the summit a feeble posterior sinus.
Later, in 1980, it has been stated by Bouchet & Warèn that there is a high variation within the arctic forms of this genus, such as the outer lip showing all transitions from sinuated to nonsinuated

Distribution

Oenopota is a boreal genus, with many species occurring in arctic and subarctic regions. They are less common in more southern waters where they occur in deeper, colder waters.

Species

Species within the genus Oenopota include: