Pusionella ghanaensis is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk belonging to the family Clavatulidae [1]. This species was formally described by Emile Dautzenberg and Philippe Dautzenberg in 1912 [1, 2]. As its name suggests, it is primarily found off the coast of Ghana, West Africa.
Description
While a detailed, standalone morphological description of Pusionella ghanaensis is not extensively available in common databases, general characteristics can be inferred from its genus, Pusionella. Species within Pusionella typically exhibit:
Shell Shape: A fusiform (spindle-shaped) to turriform (tower-shaped) shell [3].
Sculpture: The shell often features strong axial ribs and spiral cords, which can give it a sculptured or somewhat cancellate (latticed) appearance.
Aperture: The opening (aperture) is usually relatively narrow.
Siphonal Canal: A distinct, often moderately long siphonal canal is present at the base of the aperture.
Anal Sinus: Like other members of the superfamily Conoidea, Pusionella species possess an anal sinus (or posterior notch) on the outer lip, near the suture, which is used for expelling waste [3].
The original description by Dautzenberg and Dautzenberg in 1912 would provide the most precise morphological details for P. ghanaensis [2]. The shell length of P. ghanaensis is recorded as approximately 30 mm [1].
Distribution
Pusionella ghanaensis is a marine species found off the coast of Ghana, West Africa [1, 4]. This distribution places it within the tropical to subtropical waters of the Eastern Atlantic Ocean.
The species is likely endemic or largely restricted to the West African coast, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea region, which is known for its distinct marine fauna.
Habitat
As a marine gastropod, Pusionella ghanaensis inhabits the coastal waters of Ghana. While specific details about its preferred habitat, such as substrate type (e.g., sandy, muddy, rocky bottoms) or precise depth range, are not widely published, other Pusionella species are typically found in subtidal zones, often in sandy or silty sediments [3]. Given its distribution, it would live in warm, tropical waters.
Like most members of the superfamily Conoidea, species in the family Clavatulidae are predatory marine snails. They typically hunt other invertebrates, often using a venomous radula (a chitinous ribbon with teeth) to immobilize their prey. However, specific dietary habits or predatory mechanisms of P. ghanaensis are not detailed in readily available information.
Taxonomy
Pusionella ghanaensis is classified within the following taxonomic hierarchy [1]:
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Superfamily: Conoidea
Family: Clavatulidae Gray, 1853
Genus:Pusionella Gray, 1847
Species:Pusionella ghanaensis Dautzenberg & H. Fischer, 1912
The original binomial name for this species was Pleurotoma ghanaensis Dautzenberg & H. Fischer, 1912 [1, 2]. This indicates that the species was initially described under the genus Pleurotoma, a broad genus that historically contained many species now distributed among various families and genera within the Conoidea superfamily. The subsequent reclassification into the genus Pusionella and the family Clavatulidae reflects the ongoing efforts in mollusk systematics to establish more accurate phylogenetic relationships.
Synonyms for Pusionella ghanaensis include [1]:
Pleurotoma ghanaensis Dautzenberg & H. Fischer, 1912 (original combination)
[2] Dautzenberg, P.; Fischer, H. (1912). Mollusques provenant des campagnes de la Princesse Alice dans les Mers du Nord (1910-1911). Résultats des Campagnes Scientifiques accomplies sur son yacht par Albert Ier Prince Souverain de Monaco. 37: 1-62, 3 pls.
[4] WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Pusionella ghanaensis (Dautzenberg & H. Fischer, 1912). (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=434834
Boyer F. & Ryall P. 2006. Two new Clavatulinae species (Caenogastropoda: Turridae) from Ghana. Iberus 24(2): 33–38
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