lorbita

Lorbita is a genus of small extinct marine gastropods known from fossil deposits dating to the late Miocene. The genus was described in 1988 by paleontologist A. Marin, based on well-preserved specimens from the western Mediterranean. It is placed in the family Lorbitidae, a group defined by compact, high-spired shells and relatively narrow apertures.

Morphology and diagnosis: Species of Lorbita typically have shells ranging from about 5 to 12 millimeters in length, with a tall, conical profile. The surface often shows fine axial ribbing against a smoother background, and the aperture is ovate with a short to moderate siphonal canal. The outer lip is thin, and some specimens retain a small umbilicus during juvenile stages.

Ecology and paleoenvironment: The fossils are found in shelly-rich limestone and marl deposits indicative of shallow, warm to temperate shelf environments. Lorbita likely fed on detritus and microalgae, living on or just above soft substrates among other invertebrates and small epifauna.

Distribution and species: The genus is currently known from late Miocene strata along the western Mediterranean and adjacent Atlantic margins. The type species is Lorbita mirabilis, and another described species is Lorbita lenta. The taxonomic status of related forms has been the subject of debate, with some authors proposing subgeneric distinctions within Lorbita as new discoveries emerge.

Notes: As with many fossil taxa, ongoing fieldwork and reevaluation of existing collections may adjust the range, morphology, or species count attributed to Lorbita in the future.