''Ericusa fulgetrum'', the lightning volute, is a
species
A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...
of
sea snail
Sea snails are slow-moving marine (ocean), marine gastropod Mollusca, molluscs, usually with visible external shells, such as whelk or abalone. They share the Taxonomic classification, taxonomic class Gastropoda with slugs, which are distinguishe ...
, a marine
gastropod
Gastropods (), commonly known as slugs and snails, belong to a large Taxonomy (biology), taxonomic class of invertebrates within the phylum Mollusca called Gastropoda ().
This class comprises snails and slugs from saltwater, freshwater, and fro ...
mollusk
Mollusca is a phylum of protostomic invertebrate animals, whose members are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 76,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized, making it the second-largest animal phylum after Arthropoda. The ...
in the
family
Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...
Volutidae
Volutidae, common name volutes, are a taxonomic family of predatory sea snails that range in size from 9 mm to over 500 mm. They are marine gastropod mollusks. Most of the species have no operculum.
Distribution
This family of sea s ...
, the volutes.
Etymology
The species Latin name ''fulgetrum'' means "lightning" (hence the common name).
Description
The shell of ''Ericusa fulgetrum'' can reach a length of . It is solid and fusiform. The colour pattern is quite variable, the base colour may be yellowish, pale brown or reddish. It has a glossy marbled surface, sometimes with dark brown zig-zag bands. The whorls are regular and convex. Protoconch is smooth and rounded and the aperture is elongate, with a thickened outer lip. This nocturnal snail predates on small invertebrates.
Distribution
This species can be found in South Australia.
References
External links
Encyclopaedia of Life
Volutidae
Gastropods described in 1825
{{Volutidae-stub