''Vexillum crocatum'', common name : the saffron mitre, is a species of small

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 ...

, 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 in the family

Costellariidae Costellariidae sometimes called the "ribbed miters" is a taxonomic family of minute to medium-sized predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks. This family of snails is also sometimes referred to as ''Vexillum'' miters. The main family o ...

, the ribbed miters.

Description

The shell size varies between 17 mm and 36 mm (Described as ''Mitra concinna'') The ovate shell is contracted at the base. The spire is turreted. The

whorl A whorl ( or ) is an individual circle, oval, volution or equivalent in a whorled pattern, which consists of a spiral or multiple concentric objects (including circles, ovals and arcs). Whorls in nature File:Photograph and axial plane floral ...

s are angulated at the upper part and longitudinally ribbed. The ribs are granosely pointed upon the angle, transversely crossed with small obtuse ridges. The ridges are bright yellow, the interstices very dark chesnut. The columella is four-plaited. (Original description as ''Mitra assimilis'') The oblong shell is subfusiform, turreted, solid and shining. It is whitish, with closely set transverse deep-brown slightly raised lines. The spire is moderately elevated and acute . The shell contains 8-9

s, plano-convex, shouldered above, longitudinally ribbed. The ribs are closely set, angular, slightly nodulous, 16 to 18 in number. The

body whorl The body whorl is part of the morphology of the shell in those gastropod mollusks that possess a coiled shell. The term is also sometimes used in a similar way to describe the shell of a cephalopod mollusk. In gastropods In gastropods, the b ...

is convexly rounded, contracted and granulated at the base. The aperture is narrow, bluish white and lyrate within. The outer lip is rather sharp and crenulate. The columella shows four folds. Garrett, A. (1873). List of species of Mitridae collected at Rarotonga, Cook's Islands, with notes, also descriptions of new species. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 1872: 839-843
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Distribution

This species occurs in the Red Sea, in the Indian Ocean off Chagos and the Mascarene Basin, and in the Indo-West Pacific.

References

* Sheppard, A (1984). ''The molluscan fauna of Chagos (Indian Ocean) and an analysis of its broad distribution patterns''. Coral Reefs 3: 43–50 * Drivas, J. & M. Jay (1988). ''Coquillages de La Réunion et de l'île Maurice'' * Turner H. 2001. ''Katalog der Familie Costellariidae'' Macdonald, 1860. Conchbooks. 1-100 page(s): 27 * Steyn, D. G.; Lussi, M. (2005). Offshore Shells of Southern Africa: A pictorial guide to more than 750 Gastropods. Published by the authors. pp. i–vi, 1–289.

External links

*
Liénard, Élizé. Catalogue de la faune malacologique de l'île Maurice et de ses dépendances comprenant les îles Seychelles, le groupe de Chagos composé de Diego-Garcia, Six-îles, Pèros-Banhos, Salomon, etc., l'île Rodrigues, l'île de Cargados ou Saint-Brandon. J. Tremblay, 1877.

W.O.Cernohorsky, The Mitridae of Fiji - The Veliger v. 8 (1965-1966)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vexillum Crocatum crocatum Gastropods described in 1811