Vasum ceramicum

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Vasum ceramicum
Vasum Ceramicum B.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Family: Turbinellidae
Subfamily: Vasinae
Genus: Vasum
Species:
V. ceramicum
Binomial name
Vasum ceramicum
Synonyms [1]
  • Murex ceramicusLinnaeus, 1758 (original combination)
  • Turbinellus spinosusFischer von Waldheim, 1807 ·

Vasum ceramicum, common name ceramic vase or heavy whelk, is a species of medium to large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Turbinellidae. [1]

Contents

Description

Vasum ceramicum has a large, thick and heavy shell that reaches a length of 59 – 160 mm. This shell is quite elongated, conical or vase-shaped (hence the common name). It has long siphonal canal, three strong, columella folds and 7-10 strong spiny tubercles in each loop. It is colored white and greys or dark brown externally, while the aperture may be colored white or pale brown.

Distribution

The species is widespread in the Mascarene Plateau, off the coast of Madagascar, and Tanzania. [2]

Habitat

This sea snail lives on lower eulittoral, rocky areas at depth of 10 to 40 m.

References

  1. 1 2 MolluscaBase eds. (2023). MolluscaBase. Vasum ceramicum (Linnaeus, 1758). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=211101 on 2023-01-28
  2. "WoRMS taxon details". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 26 November 2016.