Mitrella ocellata

Mitrella ocellata, the white-spotted dove shell, is a species of sea snail in the family Columbellidae.[1]

Mitrella ocellata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Caenogastropoda
clade Hypsogastropoda
clade Neogastropoda
Superfamily:
Buccinoidea
Family:
Columbellidae
Genus:
Mitrella
Species:
M. ocellata
Binomial name
Mitrella ocellata
(Gmelin, 1791)
Synonyms[1]
  • Buccinum argus Orbigny, A.V.M.D. d', 1847
  • Buccinum cribrarium Lamarck, 1822
  • Columbella argus d'Orbigny, 1847
  • Columbella philodicia Duclos, 1846
  • Mitrella argus (d'Orbigny, 1847)
  • Voluta ocellata Gmelin, 1791 (original combination)

Description

The size of the shell varies between 6 mm and 14 mm.[2] The small, oblong shell is moderately thick, cylindrical, and smooth. It is fawn colored or red, dotted with small, round, white dots, disposed regularly in quincunxes, or in a network. The spire is composed of eleven whorls, generally truncated at the summit. The whorls are subconnate, surrounded at their upper part by an articulated band of white and brown. The body whorl is ornamented towards its base with numerous transverse fine striae. The aperture is narrow, of a violet color. The outer lip is obtuse, thick, almost straight, interiorly having small folds or teeth in large quantities. The upper extremity forms the commencement of an emargination. All the external surface of this shell is covered by a membranous, reddish, thin periosteum, so transparent, that the colors are seen through it.[3]

Distribution

This marine species has a wide distribution. It has been found in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean off the coasts of South America, Africa, and remote islands such as Ascension Island and Saint Helena.

References
  1. Mitrella ocellata (Gmelin, 1791). Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 17 April 2010.
  2. "Mitrella (Mitrella) ocellata ocellata". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  3. Kiener (1840). General species and iconography of recent shells : comprising the Massena Museum, the collection of Lamarck, the collection of the Museum of Natural History, and the recent discoveries of travellers; Boston :W.D. Ticknor,1837 (described as Buccinum cribrarium)
  • Gofas, S.; Le Renard, J.; Bouchet, P. (2001). Mollusca. in: Costello, M.J. et al. (eds), European Register of Marine Species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Patrimoines Naturels. 50: 180–213
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