Monostiolum tessellatum is a species of small sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk within the family Pisaniidae [1]. Originally described by Lovell Augustus Reeve in 1844, this species is notable for its distinct shell ornamentation and its presence across a significant part of the Western Atlantic [1, 3].
Description
The shell of Monostiolum tessellatum typically reaches a length of up to 18 mm [1]. As suggested by its specific epithet "tessellatum" (meaning "tiled" or "mosaic-like"), the shell is characterized by a checkered or tessellated pattern, which often arises from the arrangement of its coloration and sculptural elements.
While a detailed, standalone description of Monostiolum tessellatum is not universally available, common features shared with other species in the genus Monostiolum (and the family Pisaniidae) generally include:
Sculpture: The shell surface is often adorned with both axial (longitudinal) ribs and spiral cords, which intersect to create a reticulated or nodulose pattern. This intricate sculpture contributes to its distinctive appearance [4, 5].
Shape: The shell is typically fusiform (spindle-shaped) to ovate-conical, with a moderately elevated spire [4].
Aperture: The opening (aperture) is usually ovate, with a distinct siphonal canal at its base, which can be short and somewhat recurved [4].
Outer Lip: The outer lip of the aperture may be thickened and often features internal denticles (small teeth) or lirae (ridges) [4].
Columella: The columella (the central axis of the shell) can be smooth or bear small folds [4].
The color pattern, often described as tessellated, involves contrasting shades of brown, white, or cream, which can form a mosaic-like appearance.
Distribution
Monostiolum tessellatum is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean, with its distribution encompassing several regions:
This wide distribution indicates its adaptation to the warm, tropical and subtropical marine environments of the Western Atlantic.
Habitat
Monostiolum tessellatum is a demersal species, meaning it lives on or near the seabed. Its recorded depth range is between 6 and 33 meters [7]. This suggests it inhabits shallow to moderate subtidal zones. Like many other members of the Pisaniidae family, it likely prefers sandy, muddy, or rubble bottoms, possibly in association with rocky substrates or coral reefs, where it can find its prey. As predatory snails, Pisaniidae species typically feed on other invertebrates.
Taxonomy and Synonyms
Monostiolum tessellatum was originally described as Triton tessellatum by L.A. Reeve in 1844 [1, 3]. It has gone through several taxonomic reclassifications and has accumulated numerous synonyms over time, reflecting the historical complexities of mollusk taxonomy.
Current classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Clade: Caenogastropoda
Clade: Hypsogastropoda
Clade: Neogastropoda
Superfamily: Buccinoidea
Family: Pisaniidae
Genus:Monostiolum Dall, 1904
Species:Monostiolum tessellatum (Reeve, 1844) [1]
Synonyms for Monostiolum tessellatum include [1]:
Caducifer swifti (Tryon, 1881)
Caducifer tessellatum (Reeve, 1844)
Colubraria swifti (Tryon, 1881)
Daphnella igniflua (Reeve, 1845)
Fusus swifti (Tryon, 1881)
Pisania igniflua (Reeve, 1845)
Pleurotoma igniflua Reeve, 1845
Pollia tessellatum (Reeve, 1844)
Triton (Epidromus) swifti Tryon, 1881
The placement of this species within the Pisaniidae family (often considered a subfamily within Buccinidae, the true whelks, in older classifications) reflects ongoing molecular and morphological research in gastropod systematics [4]. The genus Monostiolum was established by William Healey Dall in 1904, with Triton swifti Tryon, 1881, as its type species, which is now considered a synonym of M. tessellatum [1, 4].
Reeve, L. 1844. Monograph of the genus Triton Conchologia Iconica 2 pls. 1-20
Reeve, L. 1845. Monograph of the genus Pleurotoma Conchologia Iconica 1 pls. 19-33
Watters G.T. & Finlay C.J. (1989) A revision of the western Atlantic Recent species of the genus Monostiolum Dall, 1904, and Bailya (Parabailya) new subgenus (Gastropoda: Buccinidae). The Veliger 32(1): 47–59.
[2] Monostiolum tessellatum - World Species. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://worldspecies.org/ntaxa/1011894/i
[3] Reeve, L. A. (1844). Monograph of the genus Triton. In: Conchologia Iconica, or, illustrations of the shells of molluscous animals, vol. 2, pls 1-20 and unpaginated text. L. Reeve & Co., London.
[5] Las familias Buccinidae, Colubrariidae y Nassariidae (Mollusca: Neogastropoda) en Cuba, con la descripción de ocho nuevas especies - Revistas. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://revistasgeotech.com/index.php/poey/article/view/390/395
[6] Monostiolum tessellatum | Dutch Caribbean Species Register. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://www.dutchcaribbeanspecies.org/linnaeus_ng/app/views/species/nsr_taxon.php?id=179706
[7] Monostiolum tessellatum - SeaLifeBase. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Monostiolum-tessellatum
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