Neoguraleus sandersonae

Neoguraleus sandersonae is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Mangeliidae.^[1]

Neoguraleus sandersonae
Shell of Neoguraleus sandersonae (holotype in the Auckland War Memorial Museum)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Subclass:	Caenogastropoda
Order:	Neogastropoda
Superfamily:	Conoidea
Family:	Mangeliidae
Genus:	Neoguraleus
Species:	N. sandersonae
Binomial name
Neoguraleus sandersonae (Bucknill, 1927)
Synonyms[1]
Scrinium sandersonae Bucknill, 1927 (original combination)

Description

The shell of Neoguraleus sandersonae is small, typically reaching lengths of approximately 5–7 mm.^[2] It is characterized by a fusiform shape with a moderately high spire. The sculpture consists of fine axial ribs crossed by spiral lirae, giving the shell a cancellate appearance. The coloration is generally a pale brownish-white, often with subtle darker spiral bands. The aperture is narrow, with a short siphonal canal, and the outer lip is slightly thickened.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand, primarily found in deep waters off the North Island and South Island.^[3] It occurs at depths ranging from 100 to 500 meters, typically on soft substrates such as mud or fine sand.

Habitat

Neoguraleus sandersonae inhabits bathyal zones, preferring environments with stable, low-energy conditions. It is commonly associated with deep-sea benthic communities.

Taxonomy

Neoguraleus sandersonae was first described by Bucknill in 1928.^[4] The species belongs to the genus Neoguraleus, which includes several other small deep-sea gastropods native to the New Zealand region. The specific epithet sandersonae honors its discoverer or a related figure, though detailed records are sparse.