Gigantopelta aegis is a species of deep sea snail from hydrothermal vents, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Peltospiridae.[1]
It was described as a new species within new genus Gigantopelta in 2015 and it was classified within the family Peltospiridae.[1]
This species is known from its type locality only: Longqi hydrothermal vent field in Southwest Indian Ridge, .[1]
The width of the shell is 4.84–44.83 mm.[1] Valeues of δ13C were −26.42‰ ± 0.67.[2] A distinguishing factor of the Gigantopelta aegis is their large size, hence the name, which translates to “gigantic shield” in Latin.[3] While other peltospirids reach shell diameter sizes of 15mm on average, the Gigantopelta aegis can grow up to 45.7 mm.[3] The shell is also thickly coated with a layer of sulphide. However, this is typical of other vent-dwelling gastropods. Another distinguishing factor for the Gigantopelta species is that sexual dimorphism is not exhibited, as seen in other peltopsirids.[3]
Gigantopelta aegis is a species of deep sea snail from hydrothermal vents, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Peltospiridae.
