Gibbula benzi

Gibbula benzi is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Trochidae, the top snails.[1][2][3]

Gibbula benzi
A shell of Gibbula benzi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Vetigastropoda
Order: Trochida
Superfamily: Trochoidea
Family: Trochidae
Genus: Gibbula
Species:
G. benzi
Binomial name
Gibbula benzi
(Krauss, 1848)
Synonyms[1]
  • Gibbula benzi var. affinis Turton, 1932
  • Gibbula kowiensis Turton, 1932
  • Gibbula loculosa Gould, 1861
  • Gibbula pintado Gould, 1861
  • Margarita pintado Gould, 1861
  • Trochus benzi Krauss, 1848 (original description)
  • Trochus ludwigi Krauss, 1848

Description

The size of the shell varies between 7 mm and 12 mm. The thin, perforate shell has an orbicular-conoid shape with irregularly transversely costate striae. The color is various, it is purplish, maculate with whitish, orange-yellow or rose-red, with traces of clear spots at the suture, or else purple-red with white flecks. The 5 whorls are moderately convex, separated by a distinct suture. The body whorl is ventricose, subangular in the middle. The convex base of the shell is striate. The rotund-quadrate aperture is white within. The oblique columella is concave and dilated above. The narrow umbilicus is profound.

The slightly elevated, rather narrow, transverse striae are crowded, blunt, and very unequal above, on the base rather regular and elevated. The striae number 4 on the penultimate whorl, about 6 above the periphery of the body whorl, with here and there an intermediate smaller one, and upon the base 10 less elevated ones. The interstices look pitted on account of the elevated incremental striae that cross them. Young examples are carinated, but old ones have the last whorl rounded, wide and very convex. The columella has a somewhat reflexed margin, which is a trifle widened above, slightly covering the umbilicus. It passes imperceptibly into the outer lip, and is united above with the latter by a very thin white callus. The umbilicus is deep, very narrow, longitudinally very finely striated. It is funnel-shaped at the opening, and is bounded by an obtuse but distinct keel.[4]

Distribution

This species occurs in the Indian Ocean from Saldanha Bay to Northern Transkei, Rep. South Africa; off Cape of Good Hope.

References
  1. Rosenberg, G. (2012). Gibbula benzi (Krauss, 1848). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=599740 on 2012-11-23
  2. Kilburn, R.N. & Rippey, E. (1982) Sea Shells of Southern Africa. Macmillan South Africa, Johannesburg, xi + 249 pp.
  3. Steyn, D.G. & Lussi, M. (1998) Marine Shells of South Africa. An Illustrated Collector’s Guide to Beached Shells. Ekogilde Publishers, Hartebeespoort, South Africa, ii + 264 pp.
  4. Tryon (1889), Manual of Conchology XI, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia
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