Austrofusus latecostatus
| Austrofusus latecostatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Shell of Austrofusus latecostatus (holotype) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Family: | Prosiphonidae |
| Genus: | Austrofusus |
| Species: | †A. latecostatus |
| Binomial name | |
| †Austrofusus latecostatus (Suter, 1917) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Austrofusus latecostatus is an extinct species of medium-sized sea snail or whelk, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Prosiphonidae.[1]
Description
The holotype measures 8 mm in height with a diameter of 4.5 mm,
(Original description) The shell is small, ovate, and imperforate, possessing a ventricose and rather fragile structure. It is characterized by broad, flattish axial ribs, numerous spiral cords, a very slightly callous inner lip, and a short, deflected anterior siphonal canal.
The two minute whorls of the protoconch are smooth, while the third whorl displays two to three fine spiral threads. The succeeding whorls are broadly and axially costate; these ribs are flatly convex—numbering approximately 13 on the body whorl—and are separated by linear interstices. They are crossed by equal, convex spiral cords, with six to seven appearing on the penultimate whorl, separated by narrow, linear interspaces. Additionally, the base of the inner lip features three oblique cords situated upon the neck of the siphonal canal.
The spire is conic and stands at approximately the same height as the aperture (excluding the siphonal canal). The protoconch itself is minute and conical, consisting of two slightly convex whorls and a blunt pullus. The shell comprises six convex whorls, with the body whorl being ventricose and large in proportion to the rest; the base of this whorl contracts toward the siphonal canal. The suture is well impressed, adding definition to the shell's profile.
The aperture is subvertical and narrowly ovate, leading into a short siphonal canal below that is turned to the left and truncated at its base. The outer lip is convex and smooth on the inside. Finally, the columella is short, vertical, and rounded, while the inner lip is smooth and broadly expanded as a thin callus over a portion of the body whorl.[2]
Distribution
The marine species is endemic to New Zealand. Specimens were found in Miocene strata.
References
- ↑ Austrofusus latecostatus (Suter, 1917). 2 April 2026. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species.
- ↑ Thomson, James Allan, Materials for the palaeontology of New Zealand, Volume: no.1-9, Wellington, J. Mackay 1913; p. 36
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.