Fusinus africanae is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Fasciolariidae, the spindle snails, the tulip snails and their allies.[1]

Fusinus africanae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Family: Fasciolariidae
Genus: Fusinus
Species:
F. africanae
Binomial name
Fusinus africanae
(Barnard, 1959)
Synonyms[1]

Fusus africanae Barnard, 1849

Description

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Adult individuals rarely exceed 45 mm in length. [2]

The shell is small, relatively robust, and spindle-shaped, with rounded whorls and a strongly indented suture. The spire makes up about three-quarters of the total aperture length. It is sculpted with distinct, flat spiral cords and closely set, rounded axial ribs, which are weaker on the body whorl and sometimes almost absent in certain individuals. The siphonal canal is long with a very narrow opening, and the protoconch is large. [2]

The shell ranges from white to apricot, typically lacking any additional color patterns. Living specimens are often encrusted with a thick brown sponge coating. [2]

Distribution

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This marine species is endemic to South Africa, found along the Agulhas Bank from the Cape Peninsula to Algoa Bay at depths of 100 m to 300 meters. [2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Fusinus africanae (Barnard, 1959). Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species.
  2. ^ a b c d Herbert, D.G., Jones, G.J. & Atkinson, L.J. (2018). Phylum Mollusca. In: Atkinson, L.J. and Sink, K.J. (eds) Field Guide to the Offshore Marine Invertebrates of South Africa. Pretoria: Malachite Marketing and Media. p. 289. ISBN 978-1-86868-098-6. Retrieved 17 October 2024.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)  This article incorporates text from this source, which is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
  • Steyn DG and Lussi M. (2005). Offshore shells of southern Africa: A pictorial guide to more than 750 gastropods. published by the authors. p. 148.
  • Marais JP and Kilburn RN. (2010). Fasciolariidae. In: Marais AP and Seccombe AD (eds) Identification Guide to the Seashells of South Africa. Vol. 1. Groenkloof. Centre for Molluscan Studies. p. 136.
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