Africofusus ocelliferus
Species of gastropod
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Africofusus ocelliferus, common name the long-siphoned whelk, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Fasciolariidae, the spindle snails, the tulip snails and their allies.[1]
| Africofusus ocelliferus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Africofusus ocelliferus and operculum | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Family: | Fasciolariidae |
| Genus: | Africofusus |
| Species: | A. ocelliferus |
| Binomial name | |
| Africofusus ocelliferus (Lamarck, 1816) | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Spelling
The specific name was originally spelled "ocelliferus"; although this is not a correct latinization it is not liable to a justified emendation (cf. ICZN art. 32.5.1. "Incorrect transliteration or latinization ... are not to be considered inadvertent errors"). The spelling ocellifer is therefore an unjustified emendation, which may be traced to Kaicher, 1976 (card no 1857) [1]
Description
The length of the shell attains 160 mm.[2]
The shell varies from narrowly to broadly spindle-shaped, with the spire comprising half to three-quarters of the total aperture length. The siphonal canal is long and slender, sometimes accounting for up to one-third of the total shell length, and is often slightly curved. The sculpture consists of coarse, flattened spiral ridges, though the prominence of these ridges varies widely between specimens. Some individuals display a distinct shoulder adorned with rounded nodules. A deep false umbilicus is often present beside the siphonal base in mature specimens. The inner lip lacks columellar pleats, and the interior of the outer lip is smooth.[2]
The shell is whitish, with spiral ridges often spotted or mottled with brown. When present, the shoulder typically features darker brown spots, especially on the nodules. The periostracum is a velvety, horn-brown layer that often flakes off. The animal is orange-red.[2]
Distribution
This marine species is endemic to South Africa and occurs off Namaqualand, West coast to KwaZulu-Natal South coast; infratidal to 150 m, perhaps to 300 m.[2]
