Myurella mactanensis

Myurella mactanensis is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Terebridae, the auger snails. The species was first described in 1982 by Bratcher and Cernohorsky.^[1]

Myurella mactanensis
Apertural view of a shell of Myurella mactanensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Subclass:	Caenogastropoda
Order:	Neogastropoda
Family:	Terebridae
Genus:	Myurella
Species:	M. mactanensis
Binomial name
Myurella mactanensis (Bratcher & Cernohorsky, 1982)
Synonyms[1]
Clathroterebra mactanensis (Bratcher & Cernohorsky, 1982) Terebra mactanensis Bratcher & Cernohorsky, 1982 (original combination)

Description

It has a long, slender, and tapered shell, often featuring intricate patterns with brown, cream, and white hues. This species is typically found in tropical waters, particularly around the Philippines, where it inhabits sandy or muddy substrates near coral reefs. Like other auger snails, M. mactanensis is carnivorous, using its specialized radula and venomous harpoon-like tooth to prey on small marine organisms such as worms. It contributes to the biodiversity of the marine ecosystem while maintaining the balance of its prey populations.^[2]

Distribution

This marine species occurs off Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines