Steromphala nivosa

Steromphala nivosa, common name the Maltese top shell, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Trochidae, the top snails.[1]

Steromphala nivosa
Steromphala nivosa specimens at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Vetigastropoda
Order: Trochida
Superfamily: Trochoidea
Family: Trochidae
Subfamily: Cantharidinae
Genus: Steromphala
Species:
S. nivosa
Binomial name
Steromphala nivosa
(A. Adams, 1851)
Synonyms
  • Gibbula altimirai Nordsieck 1982
  • Gibbula nivosa A. Adams, 1853
  • Gibbula rotella Monterosato 1888
  • Trochus pictus Philippi 1846

Description

The size of the shell varies between 6 mm and 9 mm. The umbilicate shell has an orbiculate-conoidal shape. It is gray with almost round spots. It is sulcate in a crosswise direction and longitudinally substriate. The aperture is almost round. The columella is flexuous. The base of the shell is rounded.[2]

Distribution

This species occurs in the Mediterranean Sea off Malta.

References

  1. MolluscaBase eds. (2020). MolluscaBase. Steromphala nivosa (A. Adams, 1853). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1039848 on 2020-12-30
  2. Tryon (1889), Manual of Conchology XI, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia

Further reading

  • Nordsieck F., 1982: Die europäischen Meeres-Gehäuseschnecken. 2. Auflage. * Gustav Fischer, Stuttgart; 539 pp., 38 pl.
  • Smriglio C., Mariottini P. & Gravina F., 1991: Nota su alcune specie del genere Gibbula Risso, 1826 ex Leach ms; Bollettino Malacologico 27 (5–9): 61–75
  • Gofas, S.; Le Renard, J.; Bouchet, P. (2001). Mollusca, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 180–213
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