Abyssal vent field habitats along plate margins in the Central Indian Ocean yield new species in the genus Anatoma (Vetigastropoda: Anatomidae)

New species in Anatoma Woodward, 1859 (Anatomidae, Vetigastropoda) are found in abyssal hydrothermal vent field habitats on the oceanic plate margins in the Indian Ocean. Six species are identified using molecular sequence analyses of which four species are described as new based on their morphological characters: Anatoma discapex sp. nov., Anatoma declivis sp. nov., Anatoma laevapex sp. nov. and Anatoma paucisculpta sp. nov. Inadequate material was available for a morphological description of the other two species with genetic identification, but it is likely that all six species are new to science and endemic to the Indian Ocean. The northern Central Indian Ridge localities are dominated by Anatoma declivis sp. nov.; its closest relative is Anatoma discapex sp. nov. which occurs in the central area near the Rodriguez Triple Junction. Anatoma laevapex sp. nov. and Anatoma paucisculpta sp. nov. as well as a fifth undescribed species are mainly found on the Southeast Indian Ridge.

Automated summary

New species of Anatoma Woodward, 1859 have been discovered in the abyssal hydrothermal vent field habitats on the Indian Ocean's oceanic plate margins. Molecular sequence analyses have identified six species, four of which have been described as new based on their morphological characteristics. The study suggests that all six species are likely new to science and are specific to the Indian Ocean. The Central Indian Ridge is dominated by Anatoma declivis sp. nov., while Anatoma discapex sp. nov. is found near the Rodriguez Triple Junction. Anatoma laevapex sp. nov., Anatoma paucisculpta sp. nov., and an undescribed species are mainly found on the Southeast Indian Ridge.