Circuitus, a new genus of the family Tornidae (Gastropoda, Truncatelloidea) with the description of six new species

A new genus and 6 new species belonging to the family Tornidae (=Vitrinellidae) (Caenogastropoda: Truncatelloidea) are described. The species studied are from the southeastern tropical Pacific and were collected during the Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos expeditions conducted by IRD and MNHN in New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and the Philippines. The new genus Circuitus is based on unique morphological features that are present in the six new species described; their systematic position is discussed and the new genus is compared with other genera presenting similar morphological characters. Each species is illustrated by scanning electron microscope photographs; their specific variability is discussed and information about their habitat, geographical distribution and bathymetric range is provided.