''Clavatula muricata'', common name the muricate turrid, is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of ...

of sea snail, a marine gastropod

mollusk Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals after the Arthropoda, the members of which are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 85,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is es ...

in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Clavatulidae.

Description

The size of an adult shell varies between 20 mm and 45 mm. The upper portion of the whorls are smooth and concave, with a sutural band of tubercles, sometimes becoming spinose. The periphery of the shell is angulated, and tuberculate, as well as the body whorl below it. This is caused by rude curved longitudinal ribs crossed by the revolving sculpture. The color of the shell is light yellowish brown, sometimes fasciated. The

aperture In optics, an aperture is a hole or an opening through which light travels. More specifically, the aperture and focal length of an optical system determine the cone angle of a bundle of rays that come to a focus in the image plane. An ...

is occasionally light violaceous, but mostly white. This species varies much in form and in the degree of development of the tubercles and spines.

George Washington Tryon George Washington Tryon Jr. (20 May 1838 – 5 February 1888) was an American malacologist who worked at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Biography George Washington Tryon was the son of Edward K. Tryon and Adeline Savidt. ...

, Manual of Conchology vol. VI p. 229; 1884

Distribution

This species occurs in the Atlantic Ocean off

São Tomé and Príncipe São Tomé and Príncipe (; pt, São Tomé e Príncipe (); English: " Saint Thomas and Prince"), officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe ( pt, República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe), is a Portuguese-speaking i ...

and from

Senegal Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤭 (Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣� ...

Gabon Gabon (; ; snq, Ngabu), officially the Gabonese Republic (french: République gabonaise), is a country on the west coast of Central Africa. Located on the equator, it is bordered by Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north ...

;

References

* Bernard, P.A. (Ed.) (1984). ''Coquillages du Gabon hells of Gabon'' Pierre A. Bernard: Libreville, Gabon. 140, 75 plates pp.

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Clavatula Muricata muricata Molluscs of the Atlantic Ocean Invertebrates of Gabon Invertebrates of West Africa Invertebrates of São Tomé and Príncipe Gastropods described in 1822