 The scaly-foot gastropod is a vent-endemic gastropod known only from the deep-sea hydrothermal vents of the Indian Ocean, which are around 2,780 metres (1.73 mi) in depth. The species was discovered in 2001, living on the bases of black smokers in the Kairei hydrothermal vent field, 25°19.239 ′ S 70°02.429 ′ E, on the Central Indian Ridge, just north of the Rodrigues Triple Point. The species has subsequently also been found in the Solitaire field, 19°33.413 ′ S 65°50.888 ′ E, Central Indian Ridge, within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Mauritius and Longqi (aka. Dragon) field, 37°47.027 ′ S 49°38.963 ′ E, Southwest Indian Ridge. Longqi field was designated as the type locality; all type material originated from this vent field. The distance between Kairei and Solitaire is about 700 km (430 mi). The distance between Solitaire and Longqi is about 2,500 km (1,600 mi).
