Alaba polyaulax explained

Alaba polyaulax is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Litiopidae.

Description

The length of the shell attains 7 mm, its diameter 2 mm.

(Original description) Shell acutely conical, elongate, of a greenish horn-colour, irregularlymarked with reddish, interrupted longitudinal streaks; whorls 10, protoconch eroded in all available specimens, the other whorls very regularly spirally grooved, the body whorl having 17 grooves and the penultimate one 8 in the type specimen; the whorls are slightly convex with shallow suture; they are also closely longitudinallyribbed, but this axial sculpture is almost microscopic and visible on the spiral ribs only under a high power; it is more obvious where it crosses the grooves ; peristome simple; aperture rather elongate

The shell is sharply conical and elongated, with a greenish horn coloration marked irregularly by reddish, interrupted longitudinal streaks. It consists of 10 whorls. The protoconch is eroded in all available specimens. The subsequent whorls are very consistently spirally grooved, with 17 grooves on the body whorl and 8 on the penultimate whorl in the type specimen. The whorls are slightly convex, with a shallow suture, and are closely longitudinally ribbed. However, this axial sculpture is almost microscopic and visible on the spiral ribs only under high magnification. It becomes more evident where it intersects the grooves. The peristome is simple, and the aperture is rather elongated.[1]

Distribution

This species occurs in the Indian Ocean off Isipingo, South Africa[2]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Tomlin . J. R. le B . On South African marine Mollusca with descriptions of several new species.. Journal of Conchology . 1923 . 17 . 2 . 40-52 . 11 July 2024.
  2. Web site: Alaba polyaulax. Gbif . Global Biodiversity Information Facility . 10 July 2024.