Vexillum patulum

Vexillum patulum
	Shells of Vexillum patulum (specimen at Naturalis Biodiversity Center)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Subclass:	Caenogastropoda
Order:	Neogastropoda
Superfamily:	Turbinelloidea
Family:	Costellariidae
Genus:	Vexillum
Species:	V. patulum
Binomial name
	Vexillum patulum; (Reeve, 1845)
Synonyms
	Mitra lurida W. H. Turton, 1932 (junior synonym); Mitra merula G. B. Sowerby III, 1889; Mitra patula Reeve, 1845 (original combination); Mitra simplex Dunker, 1846 (junior synonym); Mitra simplex var. alfredensis W. H. Turton, 1932 (junior synonym); Pusia patula (Reeve, 1845); Vexillum alfredensis (L.A. Reeve, 1845); Vexillum fidis (L.A. Reeve, 1845); Vexillum lurida (L.A. Reeve, 1845); Vexillum simplex (L.A. Reeve, 1845); Vexillum (Pusia) patulum (Reeve, 1845);

Vexillum patulum, common name the wide-mouth mitre, is a species of small sea snail, marine gastropod mollusk in the family Costellariidae, the ribbed miters.^[1]

Description

The length of the shell attains 18 mm.

(Original description) The ovate shell is rather thin, slightly ventricose, smooth. It is ash-coloured, variegated and clouded here and there with brown. The columella is four-plaited. The aperture is large. The outer lip is thin and sinuated at the upper part. ^[2]

Distribution

This marine species occurs off South Africa

References

^ Vexillum patulum (Reeve, 1845). Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 24 April 2010.
^ Reeve, L. A. (1844-1845). Monograph of the genus Mitra. In: Conchologia Iconica, or, illustrations of the shells of molluscous animals, vol. 2, pl. 1-39 and unpaginated text. L. Reeve & Co., London. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

Turton, W. H. (1932). The marine shells of Port Alfred S. Africa. Humphrey Milford, London. pp. i-xvi, 1-331, pls 1-70.
Steyn, D.G. & Lussi, M. (1998) Marine Shells of South Africa. An Illustrated Collector's Guide to Beached Shells. Ekogilde Publishers, Hartebeespoort, South Africa, ii + 264 pp.

External links

[WoRMS-1] Vexillum patulum (Reeve, 1845). Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 24 April 2010.

[2] Reeve, L. A. (1844-1845). Monograph of the genus Mitra. In: Conchologia Iconica, or, illustrations of the shells of molluscous animals, vol. 2, pl. 1-39 and unpaginated text. L. Reeve & Co., London. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

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