Episcomitra angelesae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Mitridae), a new species from an exceptional deep habitat in the Alboran Sea

Abstract

A new species of gastropod, Episcomitra angelesae (Neogastropoda: Mitridae), is described from specimens collected in the upper bathyal level of the Alboran Sea (Seco de los Olivos and Alboran Ridge). The new species is compared with other similar species known from the Atlanto-Mediterranean area, including Episcomitra zonata (Marryat, 1819) and Isara turtoni (Watson, 1890). The habitat of this new species, hard substrate with coral rubble patches at 250-320 m depth on submarine elevations, is very unusual in the Mediterranean Sea and is described based on Remotely Operated Vehicle video footage. The amount of coral rubble on the type locality is disproportionate to the very few live coral colonies found in the vicinity, and is assumed to be relict of former hydrological conditions.