Alcithoe wilsonae

Taxobox
name = "Alcithoe wilsonae"


image_caption =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Mollusca
classis = Gastropoda
ordo = Sorbeoconcha
familia = Volutidae
genus = "Alcithoe"
species = "A. wilsonae"
binomial = "Alcithoe wilsonae"
binomial_authority = Powell, 1933
synonyms = "Pachymelon wilsonae" Powell, 1933

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

Range of distribution

This volute is endemic to New Zealand's Chatham and Auckland islands. This species is extremely rare, only two complete specimens known.

hell description

The shell is solid and similar to "Alcithoe smithi", but broader, with a lower spire, only half the height of the aperture, and stronger axial folds, that persist over most of the body whorl. The axials number 12 to 14 per whorl, and there are four strong pillar plaits

The external shell colour is pinkish-buff, maculated by three zones of irregular zigzag markings in reddish-brown. There is no evidence of the violet staining as in "Alcithoe smithi".

The shell height is up to 112 mm, and width up to 47 mm.

References

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