Laeviphitus van Aartsen, Bogi & Giusti 1989

There are few coiled larvae in the plankton at 9N and it is unlikely that this species would be confused with any other. Phymorhynchus protoconchs are also large and coiled, but have a taller spire and an ornamented protoconch I. The patterning on protoconch II in Phymorhynchus is diamond-shaped.

Laeviphitus has a large coiled protoconch. It is presumably planktotrophic, with an unornamented protoconch I and protoconch II with fine spiral ridges and strong axial ribs to form a distinctive crosshatched pattern. The species is unknown, as no adults in this genus have been collected on the EPR, though members of the genus have been collected at vent and seep sites elsewhere.

Size under dissecting microscope: 400µm
Size under compound microscope: 360, 400 µm