Merica melanostoma is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cancellariidae, the nutmeg snails.[1]
Merica melanostoma | |
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Apertural view of a shell of Merica melanostoma westralis | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
Order: | Neogastropoda |
Family: | Cancellariidae |
Genus: | Merica |
Species: | M. melanostoma
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Binomial name | |
Merica melanostoma (Sowerby, 1849)
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Synonyms[1] | |
Cancellaria melanostoma Sowerby, 1849 |
Subspecies
editDescription
editThe shell is whitish-orange and cream. Its size varies between 14mm and 38 mm, ending in a pointed apex. The shells are more globular than the rest of the genus, accented with rounded shoulders and deep sutures. The surface is covered with fine nodules.[4]
Distribution
editThis species is distributed in the Red Sea, western Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Oman, Western Australia and Northern Australia
References
edit- ^ a b Merica melanostoma (Sowerby, 1849). Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 30 October 2010.
- ^ "Merica melanostoma melanostoma". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
- ^ "Merica melanostoma westralis". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
- ^ Richmond, M. (Ed.) (1997). A guide to the seashores of Eastern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean islands. Sida/Department for Research Cooperation, SAREC: Stockholm, Sweden. ISBN 91-630-4594-X. 448 pp