Haliiniie

Haliiniie is a genus of extinct marine gastropods known from Early Jurassic fossil beds in western Europe. The name was established to reflect the sea-dwelling habit of the organisms and the distinctive features of their shells.

Taxonomy and morphology: Haliiniie is placed within the family Haliinidae, a group established for small to medium-sized vetigastropod-like shells. The type species, Haliiniie jurassica, is described from a single incomplete shell approximately 6 millimeters in length. The shell is gently fusiform with a moderately stepped spire and fine spiral sculpturing on the whorls. The aperture is rounded, and the overall morphology suggests a streamlined form suitable for a life in shallow marine environments.

Distribution and habitat: Fossils attributed to Haliiniie have been recovered from limestone and marl sequences in the Jura region and neighboring basins in what is now western Europe. These deposits indicate a shallow shelf setting, likely with clear waters and a substrate suitable for grazing or detrital feeding.

Ecology and significance: Based on shell characteristics, Haliiniie is interpreted as a grazing or detritivorous gastropod that fed on microalgae and biofilm on hard substrates. The taxon contributes to the understanding of early diversification within Vetigastropoda during the Jurassic period and provides insight into paleobiogeographic patterns of marine mollusks in Europe.

Discovery and history: The genus was described in a 2012 taxonomic study, with subsequent discussions placing it within a broader framework for early Jurassic gastropod evolution. Ongoing reevaluation of related fossils may refine its precise relationships and paleoecology.

See also: List of fossil gastropods, Early Jurassic marine invertebrates, Vetigastropoda.