Vexillum patulum, common name the wide-mouth mitre, is a species of small sea snail, marine gastropod mollusk in the family Costellariidae, the ribbed miters.[1]

Vexillum patulum
Shells of Vexillum patulum (specimen at Naturalis Biodiversity Center)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Superfamily: Turbinelloidea
Family: Costellariidae
Genus: Vexillum
Species:
V. patulum
Binomial name
Vexillum patulum
(Reeve, 1845)
Synonyms
  • Mitra lurida W. H. Turton, 1932 (junior synonym)
  • Mitra merula G. B. Sowerby III, 1889
  • Mitra patula Reeve, 1845 (original combination)
  • Mitra simplex Dunker, 1846 (junior synonym)
  • Mitra simplex var. alfredensis W. H. Turton, 1932 (junior synonym)
  • Pusia patula (Reeve, 1845)
  • Vexillum alfredensis (L.A. Reeve, 1845)
  • Vexillum fidis (L.A. Reeve, 1845)
  • Vexillum lurida (L.A. Reeve, 1845)
  • Vexillum simplex (L.A. Reeve, 1845)
  • Vexillum (Pusia) patulum (Reeve, 1845)

Description

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The length of the shell attains 18 mm.

(Original description) The ovate shell is rather thin, slightly ventricose, smooth. It is ash-coloured, variegated and clouded here and there with brown. The columella is four-plaited. The aperture is large. The outer lip is thin and sinuated at the upper part. [2]

Distribution

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This marine species occurs off South Africa

References

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  • Turton, W. H. (1932). The marine shells of Port Alfred S. Africa. Humphrey Milford, London. pp. i-xvi, 1-331, pls 1-70.
  • Steyn, D.G. & Lussi, M. (1998) Marine Shells of South Africa. An Illustrated Collector's Guide to Beached Shells. Ekogilde Publishers, Hartebeespoort, South Africa, ii + 264 pp.
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