Alcithoe larochei

Taxobox
name = "Alcithoe larochei"


image_caption =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Mollusca
classis = Gastropoda
ordo = Sorbeoconcha
familia = Volutidae
genus = "Alcithoe"
species = "A. larochei"
binomial = "Alcithoe larochei"
binomial_authority = Marwick, 1926

"Alcithoe larochei" is a large deepwater sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Volutidae, the volutes.

Range of distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is found along the east coast of the North Island south to the northern tip of the South Island, including many offshore islands.

Habitat

This volute is found at depths of between 55 and 620 m.

hell description

This large solid shell is broadly fusiform with strongly convex outlines, a low spire, and a capacious body whorl. Sculpture is confined to weak axial riblets on the first three post nuclear whorls. There are four or five plaits, always very strong. The anterior notch is wide but quite deep and with a recurved edge, and there is no columellar callus plate.

The shell coloration is uniformly pale, dull pinkish-orange.

The shell height is up to 144 mm, and the width is up to 62 mm.

References

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