Eucithara
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| Eucithara | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Shell of Eucithara vexillum | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Superfamily: | Conoidea |
| Family: | Mangeliidae |
| Genus: | Eucithara Fischer, 1883 |
| Type species | |
| Mangelia stromboides Reeve, 1846 | |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Mangilia (Eucithara) P. Fischer, 1883 (original rank) | |
Eucithara is a genus of small to quite large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Mangeliidae.[1]
This genus has been a convenient dumping ground for many Indo-Pacific species. A profound study is still lacking and polyphyly probably occurs, as shown by the radulae of the few species examined.[2]
Species in this genus show a rather solid turreted-fusiform shell, sculptured by bold longitudinal ribs, over-run by dense spiral threads, and decussated by an even finer radial striatum. The aperture is as long, or longer, than the spire, fortified externally by a stout varix which ascends the previous whorl, includes a semi-circular sinus, and extends a free edge over the mouth. Within the outer lip are a series of short entering ridges, and the columella bears a corresponding series of deeply entering horizontal bars.[3]
Distribution
This genus has a wide distribution in the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the East China Sea; off Australia (Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia).
