Turbonilla muricata
Turbonilla muricata is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Pyramidellidae, the pyrams and their allies.[1][2]
| Turbonilla muricata | |
|---|---|
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| Drawing of a shell of Turbonilla muricata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
| Family: | Pyramidellidae |
| Genus: | Turbonilla |
| Species: | T. muricata |
| Binomial name | |
| Turbonilla muricata (Carpenter, 1857) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description
The milk-white shell has an elongate-conic shape. Its length measures 2.3 mm. The three whorls of the protoconch form an elevated helicoid spire, whose axis is at right angles to that of the succeeding turns, in the first of which it is almost half immersed. The seven whorls of the teleoconch are moderately rounded, somewhat contracted at the suture, and strongly shouldered at the summit. They are marked by very strong, slightly protractive axial ribs, of which 14 occur upon the first to fourth and 16 upon the remaining turns. These ribs extend prominently to the summit which they render muricated. The intercostal spaces are as wide as the ribs, deeply impressed, and terminating at the periphery. The sutures are very strongly marked. The periphery and the base of the body whorl are well rounded and smooth. The aperture is rhomboidal. The posterior angle is obtuse. The outer lip is thin, showing the external sculpture within. The columella is slender, slightly twisted and curved.[3]
Distribution
The type specimen was found in the Pacific Ocean off Mazatlán, Mexico.
References
- WoRMS (2011). Turbonilla muricata (Carpenter, 1857). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=576071 on 2012-04-21
- Keen M. (1971). Sea shells of Tropical West America. Marine mollusks from Baja California to Perú. (2nd edit.). Stanford University Press pp. 1064
- Dall & Bartsch (1909), A monograph of West American pyramidellid mollusks, United States National Museum, bulletin 68, p. 36 (described as Turbonilla (Chemnitzia) muricata)