Japonactaeon suturalis (A. Adams, 1855)

Description

A small acteonid with a cylindro-ovate shell. Spire elevated; whorls flat-sided and angulate at the upper margin, the suture deeply channelled — the latter being the chief diagnostic character that separates this species from related Solidula. Shell white, often tessellated with greyish markings; longitudinally striated and transversely lirate, the interstices cancellate. Columella with a single bilobed plica; the posterior tubercle present in most Solidula is lacking in this species.

Distribution

Western Pacific. The type locality is the Island of Luzon, Philippines, on sandy mud (Cuming collection).

Etymology

The specific epithet suturalis is derived from the Latin sutura ("seam, suture"), referring to the deeply canaliculate suture between the whorls — the diagnostic character emphasised in the original description.

Remarks

Originally described as Solidula suturalis in Adams' "Monographs of Acteon and Solidula, two genera of gasteropodous Mollusca, with descriptions of several new species from the Cumingian collection" (Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 21 [for 1853]: 62, sp. 8, issued 1855). The earliest available description as Buccinulus suturalis A. Adams, 1854 is treated by WoRMS as the same nominal species but the current accepted authority is "(A. Adams, 1855)".

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References

• Solidula suturalis, Adams A. (1855). Monographs of Acteon and Solidula, two genera of gasteropodous Mollusca, with descriptions of several new species from the Cumingian collection. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 21 [for 1853]: 58-62. [Issued 1855]
• Tibiriçá Y. & Malaquias M.A.E. (2017). The bubble snails (Gastropoda, Heterobranchia) of Mozambique: an overlooked biodiversity hotspot. Marine Biodiversity. 47(3): 791-811. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12526-016-0500-7
• Japonactaeon suturalis, Gosliner, T. et al. (2023). Southern African Sea Slugs. Southern Underwater Research Group Press, 7 Blackwood Drive, Hout Bay 7806, Cape Town, South Africa.