Reanudas

Reanudas is a small genus of marine gastropods in the family Littorinidae, first described in 2015 by malacologists R. Vásquez and L. Kim. The genus comprises three recognized species—Reanudas pacifica, R. atlanticus, and R. melanura—each inhabiting rocky intertidal zones along temperate coastlines of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Members of Reanudas are characterized by their conical shells, which reach lengths of 12–20 mm, and display a distinctive nacreous iridescence on the interior surface. The outer shell coloration ranges from pale gray to dark brown, often with fine radial ridges that aid in camouflage among algae and encrusting organisms.

Ecologically, Reanudas species are grazers, feeding primarily on microalgae and biofilm that develop on submerged rocks. Their reproductive cycle follows a typical trochophore larval development, with planktonic larvae dispersing over several weeks before settlement. Population studies indicate that Reanudas species are sensitive to coastal pollution and habitat alteration, making them useful bioindicators of intertidal ecosystem health.

The genus name derives from the Spanish word “reanudado,” meaning “reconnected,” referencing the taxonomic re‑evaluation that linked previously misidentified specimens under a single lineage. Ongoing research aims to clarify phylogenetic relationships within Littorinidae and assess the conservation status of Reanudas species across their distribution range.