Echinolittorina (Fossarilittorina), Rosewater, 1981

Reid, David G., 2011, 2974, Zootaxa 2974, pp. 1-65 : 10

Subgenus Fossarilittorina Rosewater, 1981

Littorina (Fossarilittorina) Rosewater, 1981: 29 (type species by original designation Phasianella meleagris [Beck in] Potiez & Michaud, 1838).

Diagnosis: Shell smooth, with microstriae and a single incised line at periphery; pseudumbilicus adjacent to columella. Penis simple, lacking mamilliform glands and glandular disc, sperm duct closed as a tube. Pallial oviduct contains an additional gland around egg groove at posterior end of straight section (anterior to translucent capsule gland); copulatory bursa opens at anterior end of straight section. Radula lacks flange on outer side of base of outer marginal tooth. Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Guinea to Angola. (Diagnosis from Reid 2009.)

Remarks: For taxonomic history, see Reid (2009). This subgenus is restricted to the Atlantic Ocean, with two species in the western Atlantic and one, described below, in West Africa. The small size, umbilicate shell and relatively low-shore (mid- to low-eulittoral) habitat are unusual in the genus Echinolittorina .