Maxwellia santarosana

Maxwellia santarosana,[1] common name the "Santa Rosa murex" is a species of small predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Muricidae, the rock snails.

Maxwellia santarosana
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Caenogastropoda
clade Hypsogastropoda
clade Neogastropoda
Superfamily:
Buccinoidea
Family:
Muricidae
Subfamily:
Muricopsidae
Genus:
Maxwellia
Species:
M. santarosana
Binomial name
Maxwellia santarosana
(Dall, 1905)
Synonyms[1]
  • Murex fimbriatus A. Adams, 1854 (not Brocchi)
  • Murex santarosana Dall, 1905 (basionym)
  • Murexiella santarosana (Dall, 1905)

Description

The size of the fusiform, varicose shell varies between 25 mm and 42 mm. The spire is higher than the other species in this genus and consists of six whorls. The hollow sutures are visible when not hidden by the subsequent whorl. The body whorl is rather broad and spindle-shaped. The ovate aperture has a barely perceptible anal canal. The outer lip is finely crenulate but its inner surface is smooth. The columellar lip is smooth and callused. The siphonal canal is of moderate length and, as typical for this genus, fused on top, almost sealed below and pointing to the left at its base. the body whorl shows six prominent varices, extending from the shoulder of the preceding whorl to the end of the siphonal canal. The shell sculpture shows major and minor cords.

The shell is white with the edge of each varix ochre-brown.[2][3]

Distribution

This species is found in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, from California to Baja California.

References
  1. Houart, R. (2009). Maxwellia santarosana (Dall, 1905). Accessed through the World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=408590 on 26 December 2010
  2. A. Myra Keen, Sea shells of Tropical West America, p. 529
  3. George E. Radwin,Anthony D'Attilio, Murex shells of the world: an illustrated guide to the Muricidae, p. 154
  • "Maxwellia santarosana". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
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