Biodiversity and phylogeny of Cocculinidae (Gastropoda: Cocculinida) in the Indo-West Pacific

Abstract The family Cocculinidae (Gastropoda: Cocculinida) consists of small, usually colourless benthic limpets living primarily at depths below 100 m, and on decaying plant or animal remains. These habitats are difficult to sample the knowledge about species diversity, biogeography, ecology evolution is therefore poor. To explore diversity Cocculinidae, we examined 499 specimens collected from 196 sites, mainly explored during expeditions ‘Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos’ programme in Indo-West Pacific (IWP). propose a hypotheses, used an integrated approach taxonomy which combined DNA-based methods, with morphological, geographical ecological considerations. classify hypotheses into genera, combination one mitochondrial two nuclear gene fragments reconstruct phylogenetic tree. We then six morphological characters diagnose identified genera. Our results revealed exceptionally high IWP 51 that were mostly not assigned available names. also discovered previously unknown type copulatory structure group. At higher taxonomic level, ten main clades family. Although them matched existing four others should be regarded as new genera awaiting formal description.