''Ericusa fulgetrum'', the lightning volute, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
sea snail
Sea snail is a common name for slow-moving marine gastropod molluscs, usually with visible external shells, such as whelk or abalone. They share the taxonomic class Gastropoda with slugs, which are distinguished from snails primarily by the ...
, a marine
gastropod
The gastropods (), commonly known as snails and slugs, belong to a large taxonomic class of invertebrates within the phylum Mollusca called Gastropoda ().
This class comprises snails and slugs from saltwater, from freshwater, and from land. T ...
mollusk
Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals after the Arthropoda, the members of which are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 85,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is e ...
in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
Volutidae
''Volutidae'', common name volutes, are a taxonomic family of predatory sea snails that range in size from 9 mm to over 500 mm. They are marine gastropod mollusks. Most of the species have no operculum.
Distribution
This family of sea snails ...
, the volutes.
Etymology
The species Latin name ''fulgetrum'' means "lightning" (hence the common name).
Description
The shell of ''Ericusa fulgetrum'' can reach a length of . It is solid and fusiform. The colour pattern is quite variable, the base colour may be yellowish, pale brown or reddish. It has a glossy marbled surface, sometimes with dark brown zig-zag bands. The whorls are regular and convex. Protoconch is smooth and rounded and the aperture is elongate, with a thickened outer lip. This nocturnal snail predates on small invertebrates.
Distribution
This species can be found in South Australia.
References
External links
Encyclopaedia of Life
Volutidae
Gastropods described in 1825
{{Volutidae-stub