Discovery of Live Specimens of Sasamocochlis sasamorii (Kuroda, 1943) from Tsugaru Straits, Northern Japan (Gastropoda : Triphoroidea)

Abstract

Several specimens of Sasamocochlis sasamorii were collected alive for the first time from Tsugaru Straits. Based on the new material, shell, operculum, radula and jaws of this species are here described. The radula lacks marginal teeth, which is a clear distinguishing character from the North Atlantic species Laiocochlis sinistralis at generic level. In spite of sinistrality, Sasamocochlis does not exhibit close relationships with Triphoridae in observed characters. The geographical distribution of this species is restricted to northern Japan ranging from southern Kuril Islands to the Tsugaru Straits at present. Spongivory was confirmed as in other triphoroideans.