Vexillum antonellii
Drawing of a shell
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Family: Costellariidae
Genus: Vexillum
Species:
V. antonellii
Binomial name
Vexillum antonellii
(Dhorn, 1860)
Synonyms[1]
  • Mitra antonellii Dohrn, 1860
  • Vexillum (Costellaria) antonellii (Dohrn, 1860)

Vexillum antonellii is a species of small sea snail, marine gastropod mollusk in the family Costellariidae, the ribbed miters.[1]which is a group of snails that are commonly known as "tulip snails". Vexillum antonellii is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea to the Solomon Islands. It typically inhabits coral reefs and other hard-bottom substrates at depths of 10-60 meters.

Vexillum antonellii is a medium-sized snail, with shells that can reach up to 50 millimeters in length. The shell is slender and fusiform, with a long, narrow neck and a flared aperture. The shell is typically white or cream in color, with brown or reddish-brown markings. The markings can be in the form of spots, stripes, or zigzags.

Vexillum antonellii is a carnivorous snail. It preys on a variety of small organisms, including worms, crustaceans, and other mollusks. It uses its proboscis, which is a long, muscular tube, to capture and inject venom into its prey. Once the prey is paralyzed, Vexillum antonellii uses its radula, which is a tongue-like organ covered in sharp teeth, to scrape the prey's flesh off of its shell.

Vexillum antonellii is not a commercially important species. However, it is a popular shell among collectors. It is also sometimes used in traditional medicine.


Description

  • Shell: The shell of Vexillum antonellii is slender and fusiform, with a long, narrow neck and a flared aperture. The shell can be white or cream in color, with brown or reddish-brown markings. The markings can be in the form of spots, stripes, or zigzags. The shell surface is often covered in fine spiral ridges.
  • Aperture: The aperture of Vexillum antonellii is large and flared. The outer lip of the aperture is thickened and crenulated. The inner lip of the aperture is smooth and white.
  • Foot: The foot of Vexillum antonellii is large and muscular. It is used for locomotion and for burrowing into the substrate.
  • Proboscis: The proboscis of Vexillum antonellii is long and muscular. It is used for capturing prey and injecting venom.
  • Radula: The radula of Vexillum antonellii is a tongue-like organ covered in sharp teeth. It is used for scraping flesh from prey.

Distribution

Here are some specific countries where Vexillum antonellii has been found:

  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Philippines
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam
  • India
  • Sri Lanka
  • Maldives
  • Seychelles
  • Tanzania
  • Madagascar
  • Mauritius
  • Solomon Islands

It is possible that Vexillum antonellii is also found in other countries in the Indo-Pacific region, but more research is needed to confirm this.

References

  • Turner H. 2001. Katalog der Familie Costellariidae Macdonald, 1860. Conchbooks. 1–100 page(s): 17
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