Polyneura

Polyneura is a genus of small, operculate snails belonging to the family Rissoidae. These marine gastropod mollusks are characterized by their thin, translucent shells. The genus was first described by the German zoologist Wilhelm Kobelt in 1888.

Species within the Polyneura genus are typically found in temperate to subtropical waters, often inhabiting shallow marine environments such as rocky shores, kelp beds, and seagrass meadows. They are benthic organisms, meaning they live on the seabed. Their diet generally consists of algae and detritus.

The shells of Polyneura snails are usually ovate or conical, with a relatively small aperture. The operculum, a hard, shell-like structure that seals the aperture when the snail retracts into its shell, is paucispiral. The sculpture of the shell can vary between species, but often includes axial ribs and spiral lines.

Reproduction in Polyneura, like other rissoids, typically involves external fertilization. The larval stages are planktonic, dispersing the species throughout their geographical range.

While several species have been assigned to the genus Polyneura, taxonomic classifications can sometimes be subject to revision as new data and research emerge. Some commonly cited species include Polyneura mirabilis and Polyneura elegantissima, though their precise status and distribution may vary depending on the ongoing scientific consensus.