Molecular phylogeny and general morphology of the Black devil snail (<i>Faunus ater</i>: Pachychilidae)

Studies in pachychilid gastropods are limited in the Indian region, especially that of Faunus ater, which is recorded abundantly in Asian countries. This study provides the first molecular phylogeny of F. ater using mitochondrial genes and morphological observations from India. Phylogenetic analysis using COI and 16S rRNA genes supported the basal lineage of F. ater. Morphological analysis and ultrastructure of the radula revealed a general cerithioidean pattern that lacked novel pachychilid traits like the presence of a brood pouch. A detailed analysis using more mitochondrial and nuclear genes, along with a comparative behavioural study, is required to establish a precise relationship of Faunus with the remaining cerithioidean taxa.