Vexillum exquisitum

(Redirected from Thala exquisita)

Vexillum exquisitum is a species of small sea snail, marine gastropod mollusk in the family Costellariidae, the ribbed miters.[1]

Vexillum exquisitum
Shell of Vexillum exquisitum (paralectotype at MNHN, Paris)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Family: Costellariidae
Genus: Vexillum
Species:
V. exquisitum
Binomial name
Vexillum exquisitum
(Garrett, 1873)
Synonyms[1]
  • Mitra cernica Sowerby II & Sowerby III, 1874
  • Mitra exquisita Garrett, 1873(original combination)
  • Mitra suavis Souverbie, 1875 (original combination)
  • Thala exquisita (Garrett, 1873)
  • Vexillum (Pusia) exquisitum (Garrett, 1873)
  • Vexillum (Pusia) suave (Souverbie, 1875)
  • Vexillum suave (Souverbie, 1875) ·

Description

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The length of the shell varies between 5 mm and 8 mm.

(Original description) The small shell is oblong, subfusiform, glassy, hyaline. It is pinkish red, with two transverse brown lines enclosing a white band, the band and one line continued up the spire. The spire is ratber short, turreted, subacute, little more than half the length of the shell. The shell contains 9 whorls (3 of which are embryonal), plano-convex, shouldered above, the body whorl rounded, much contracted aud granulated at the base, which is produced in a short slightly twisted siphonal canal. The shell is longitudinally ribbed, ribs closely set, rather large, angular, slightly nodulose above, 12 to 13 in number. The interstices are transversely impressedly striated. The aperture is narrow. The outer lip is rather thin, notched above, and slightly sinuous. The columella has four folds. [2]

The small, stout shell has a fusiform shape. The whorls show prominent, rounded shoulders and a series of strong axial ribs. The columella has four plaits. The shells of living examples have two dark-brown spiral lines on the body whorl that enclose a milk-white band. [3]

Distribution

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This marine species occurs off the Tuamotu Islands, Tahiti, Cook Islands, Samoa and Fiji.

A fossil has been found in Holocene strata on Eniwetok Atol, Marshall Islands.

References

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  • Herrmann M. (2012) New species of Vexillum (Pusia) (Gastropoda: Costellariidae) from French Polynesia and the Philippines. Gloria Maris 51(2-3): 45–61. [8 April 2012]
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