Kermia
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| Kermia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Shell of Kermia melanoxytum (Hervier, 1896) (specimen at MNHN, Paris) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Superfamily: | Conoidea |
| Family: | Raphitomidae |
| Genus: | Kermia Oliver, 1915 |
| Type species | |
| Kermia benhami Oliver, 1915 | |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Clathurina Melvill, 1917 | |
Kermia is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Raphitomidae.[1]
This genus is closely related to Pseudodaphnella Boettger, 1895. They form together a genus-complex with a highly underestimated diversity, leading to intermixed clades. The lack of morphologic criteria requires the generic assignment of several species clearly to be reconsidered.
The elongate, fusiform shell has a narrow aperture that is nearly half the length of the shell. The protoconch consists of two whorls. But only in a few species the sculpture of the protoconch is coarsely diagonally reticulate. The shell structure is reticulate with glossy nodules on the intersections of the ribs and lirae. The siphonal canal is short and wide. The U-shaped or linguiform anal sinus is deep, located near the suture and is surrounded by a thick outer lip. The outer lip is denticulate within. The columella is smooth.[2]
Distribution
This marine genus is widely distributed in the Indo Pacific, from the Red Sea to Easter Island; off Queensland, Australia