Africolaria rutila, common name the smooth horse conch, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Fasciolariidae, the spindle snails, the tulip snails and their allies.[1]
| Africolaria rutila | |
|---|---|
| |
| Shell of Africolaria rutila | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Family: | Fasciolariidae |
| Genus: | Africolaria |
| Species: | A. rutila
|
| Binomial name | |
| Africolaria rutila (Watson, 1882)
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Fasciolaria rutila Watson, 1882 (original combination) | |
Description
editThe shell grows to a length up to 175 mm, perhaps more. [2]
The shell is spindle-shaped, with the spire and aperture roughly equal in length. The whorls are evenly rounded, and the surface is sculpted with fine spiral threads. The siphonal canal is of moderate length. The inner lip features a single spiral columellar pleat at the base of the siphonal canal, occasionally accompanied by a second pleat nearby. The parietal region shows an indistinct, in-running spiral ridge just below the insertion of the outer lip. The interior of the outer lip is smooth, and the tip of the spire is slightly bulbous when intact, though it may appear worn or damaged. [2]
The shell is whitish, covered by a thin, pale horn-colored or orange-brown periostracum, which is often eroded on the spire. The animal is yellowish-white to pale yellow in color. [2]
Distribution
editThis marine species is endemic top South Africa and occurs off the west coast to the Namibian border and the Agulhas Bank at depths between 65 m and 500 m. [2]
References
edit- ^ a b Bouchet, P. (2012). Africolaria rutila (Watson, 1882). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=607897 on 2012-08-28
- ^ a b c d Herbert, D.G., Jones, G.J. & Atkinson, L.J. (2018). Phylum Mollusca. In: Atkinson, L.J. and Sink, K.J. (eds) Field Guide to the Offshore Marine Invertebrates of South Africa. Pretoria: Malachite Marketing and Media. p. 289. ISBN 978-1-86868-098-6. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
This article incorporates text from this source, which is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.{source-attribution}}
- Marais J.P. & R.N. Kilburn (2010) Fasciolariidae. pp. 106–137, in: Marais A.P. & Seccombe A.D. (eds), Identification guide to the seashells of South Africa. Volume 1. Groenkloof: Centre for Molluscan Studies. 376 pp.
- Snyder M.A., Vermeij G.J. & Lyons W.G. (2012) The genera and biogeography of Fasciolariinae (Gastropoda, Neogastropoda, Fasciolariidae). Basteria 76(1–3): 31–70.