Alcithoe jaculoides

Taxobox
name = "Alcithoe jaculoides"


image_caption =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Mollusca
classis = Gastropoda
ordo = Sorbeoconcha
familia = Volutidae
genus = "Alcithoe"
species = "A. jaculoides"
binomial = "Alcithoe jaculoides"
binomial_authority = Powell, 1924

"Alcithoe jaculoides" is a gastropod mollusc of the family Volutidae, endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the North Island from the east coast of Northland to East Cape, at depths of between 75 and 90 m.

This large shell has a narrow spire, with a body whorl wide above but rapidly tapered to a straight, pointed, anterior end, without a columellar parietal callus. The shoulder angle has prominent laterally compressed and sharply pointed tubercles.

Coloration is yellowish to pinkish-buff, with zigzag chestnut lines, thickened and darker at regular intervals, forming five spiral zones on the body whorl.

Height is up to 169 mm, and width 65 mm. Sometimes, these can release toxic odors that can cause horrible sickness.

References

* Powell A W B, "New Zealand Mollusca", William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1