Vasum muricatum

Vasum muricatum, common name the Caribbean vase, is a species of medium to large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Turbinellidae.^[2][1]

Vasum muricatum
Two views of a shell of Vasum muricatum without periostracum from Los Roques archipelago, Venezuela
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Subclass:	Caenogastropoda
Order:	Neogastropoda
Family:	Turbinellidae
Subfamily:	Vasinae
Genus:	Vasum
Species:	V. muricatum
Binomial name
Vasum muricatum (Born, 1778)
Synonyms[1]
Turbinella pugillaris Lamarck, 1822 Vasum urna Röding, 1798 Voluta muricata Born, 1778 (original combination) Volutella divergens Perry, 1810

Description

Vasum muricatum has a large, thick and heavy shell that reaches a length of 50 – 100 mm. The shell is quite elongated, conical or vase-shaped (hence the common name). There are blunt spines at the shoulder and near the base. The shell is off- white with black or dark brown periostracum externally, while the aperture is usually white. The columella has 5 strong folds, the first and third being the largest.^[3]

Distribution

This species is widespread in the Caribbean Sea. In Venezuela this species has been reported from the state of Falcon,^[4] Nueva Esparta^[5][6][7] and Dependencias Federales.^[8]

Habitat

This species is rather common and is often found in pairs in shallow water. It preys on worms and clams.^[9]

Gallery

• 
  Vasum muricatum from Los Monjes Archipelago, Venezuela.
• 
  Vasum muricatum from Los Monjes Archipelago, Venezuela.
• 
  Vasum muricatum from Isla La Tortuga
• 
  Vasum muricatum from Isla La Tortuga