Aesopus clausiliformis

Aesopus clausiliformis is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Columbellidae, the dove snails.^[1]

Aesopus clausiliformis
Shell of Aesopus clausiliformis (syntype at MNHN, Paris)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Subclass:	Caenogastropoda
Order:	Neogastropoda
Family:	Columbellidae
Genus:	Aesopus
Species:	A. clausiliformis
Binomial name
Aesopus clausiliformis (Kiener, 1834)
Synonyms[1]
Aesopus clausilia Duclos, P.L. in Chenu, J.C., 1846 Aesopus cumingi var. queenslandicus Hedley, 1913 Aesopus spiculus (Duclos, 1846) Buccinum clausiliforme Kiener, 1834 (basionym) Columbella clausilia Duclos, 1846 Columbella cumingii Martens, E.C. von, 1880 Columbella spicula Duclos, 1846

Description

The size of an adult shell varies between 10 mm and 15 mm.

The small, spindle-shaped shell boasts a chestnut hue. It is covered with numerous fine, transverse striations. The spire comprises nine slightly convex whorls, with the upper ones featuring longitudinal plaiting. The sutures are quite prominent, bordered by small, elongated black and white spots. The brownish aperture is narrow and ovate. The outer lip is thin, delicately striated within, while the columella is slightly arcuate and smooth, forming a small siphonal canal that is emarginated at its base. ^[2]

Distribution

This species occurs in the Indian Ocean off Mauritius and Réunion; in the Pacific Ocean off the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, French Polynesia; in Oceania off Vanuatu; also off Australia.