The first species of Spiniphiline Gosliner, 1988 (Gastropoda: Cephalaspidea) in the Atlantic Ocean, with notes on its systematic position

Abstract

The Indo-Pacific genus Spiniphiline Gosliner, 1988 was erected for a rare species of Cephalaspidea characterized by an internal shell with spines. Spiniphiline kensleyi Gosliner, 1988 was until now the only known species. During the 'Karubenthos' expedition to the archipelago of Guadeloupe (Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea) coordinated by the MusÉum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, a small philinid was captured on a mäerl bed. This specimen is here described as a new species of Spiniphiline - S. persei. Its occurrence in Guadeloupe is the first record of the genus in the Atlantic Ocean. The systematic position of Spiniphiline is discussed and evidence given for its inclusion in the family Philinidae s. s.