Alvania nonsculpta

Alvania nonsculpta is a species of minute sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk or micromollusk in the family Rissoidae. Its name is derived from the fact that it has a near complete lack of sculpture.^[1]

The length of the shell varies between 2.2 mm and 3 mm. The shell is conical and pear-shaped with an angulated protoconch. The teleconch has about 3 convex whorls, quickly increasing in width. Spiral ridges and axial ribs begin to appear at the boundary of the protoconch and teleconch, forming a square-like pattern. The axial ribs slowly fade on the first teleconch line as growth lines become more apparent.^[1]

This species occurs in the Atlantic Ocean off the Azores.^[1] It was first described off of the island the Flores Island and found again off the island of Faial Island.^[2] It was observed at a depth range of 165-200 meters.^[1]

• Hoenselaar H.J. & Goud J. (1998). The Rissoidae of the CANCAP expeditions, I: the genus Alvania Risso, 1826 (Gastropoda, Prosobranchia). Basteria. 62(1-2): 69-115
• Gofas, S.; Le Renard, J.; Bouchet, P. (2001). Mollusca. in: Costello, M.J. et al. (eds), European Register of Marine Species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Patrimoines Naturels. 50: 180-213