Monostiolum tessellatum

The shell of Monostiolum tessellatum typically reaches a length of up to 18 mm [1]. As suggested by its specific epithet "tessellatum" (meaning "tiled" or "mosaic-like"), the shell is characterized by a checkered or tessellated pattern, which often arises from the arrangement of its coloration and sculptural elements.

While a detailed, standalone description of Monostiolum tessellatum is not universally available, common features shared with other species in the genus Monostiolum (and the family Pisaniidae) generally include:

• Sculpture: The shell surface is often adorned with both axial (longitudinal) ribs and spiral cords, which intersect to create a reticulated or nodulose pattern. This intricate sculpture contributes to its distinctive appearance [4, 5].
• Shape: The shell is typically fusiform (spindle-shaped) to ovate-conical, with a moderately elevated spire [4].
• Aperture: The opening (aperture) is usually ovate, with a distinct siphonal canal at its base, which can be short and somewhat recurved [4].
• Outer Lip: The outer lip of the aperture may be thickened and often features internal denticles (small teeth) or lirae (ridges) [4].
• Columella: The columella (the central axis of the shell) can be smooth or bear small folds [4].

The color pattern, often described as tessellated, involves contrasting shades of brown, white, or cream, which can form a mosaic-like appearance.

Monostiolum tessellatum is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean, with its distribution encompassing several regions:

• Caribbean Sea: A significant part of its range [1].
• Gulf of Mexico: Also a known habitat for the species [1, 2].
• Lesser Antilles: Specifically reported in this island chain [1].
• Cuba: Recorded in various locations around Cuba, including Havana and Guantánamo Bay [5].
• Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao (Dutch Caribbean): Also documented in these islands [6].

This wide distribution indicates its adaptation to the warm, tropical and subtropical marine environments of the Western Atlantic.

Monostiolum tessellatum is a demersal species, meaning it lives on or near the seabed. Its recorded depth range is between 6 and 33 meters [7]. This suggests it inhabits shallow to moderate subtidal zones. Like many other members of the Pisaniidae family, it likely prefers sandy, muddy, or rubble bottoms, possibly in association with rocky substrates or coral reefs, where it can find its prey. As predatory snails, Pisaniidae species typically feed on other invertebrates.

Monostiolum tessellatum was originally described as Triton tessellatum by L.A. Reeve in 1844 [1, 3]. It has gone through several taxonomic reclassifications and has accumulated numerous synonyms over time, reflecting the historical complexities of mollusk taxonomy.

Current classification:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Gastropoda
• Clade: Caenogastropoda
• Clade: Hypsogastropoda
• Clade: Neogastropoda
• Superfamily: Buccinoidea
• Family: Pisaniidae
• Genus: Monostiolum Dall, 1904
• Species: Monostiolum tessellatum (Reeve, 1844) [1]

Synonyms for Monostiolum tessellatum include [1]:

• Caducifer swifti (Tryon, 1881)
• Caducifer tessellatum (Reeve, 1844)
• Colubraria swifti (Tryon, 1881)
• Daphnella igniflua (Reeve, 1845)
• Fusus swifti (Tryon, 1881)
• Pisania igniflua (Reeve, 1845)
• Pleurotoma igniflua Reeve, 1845
• Pollia tessellatum (Reeve, 1844)
• Triton (Epidromus) swifti Tryon, 1881

The placement of this species within the Pisaniidae family (often considered a subfamily within Buccinidae, the true whelks, in older classifications) reflects ongoing molecular and morphological research in gastropod systematics [4]. The genus Monostiolum was established by William Healey Dall in 1904, with Triton swifti Tryon, 1881, as its type species, which is now considered a synonym of M. tessellatum [1, 4].

This species occurs in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Lesser Antilles.

{{reflist}}

• Reeve, L. 1844. Monograph of the genus Triton Conchologia Iconica 2 pls. 1-20
• Reeve, L. 1845. Monograph of the genus Pleurotoma Conchologia Iconica 1 pls. 19-33
• Watters G.T. & Finlay C.J. (1989) A revision of the western Atlantic Recent species of the genus Monostiolum Dall, 1904, and Bailya (Parabailya) new subgenus (Gastropoda: Buccinidae). The Veliger 32(1): 47–59.

• [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/203169#page/257/mode/1up Watters, G. T. (2009). A revision of the western Atlantic Ocean genera Anna, Antillophos, Bailya, Caducifer, Monostiolum, and Parviphos, with description of a new genus, Dianthiphos, and notes on Engina and Hesperisternia Gastropoda: Buccinidae: Pisaniinae) and Cumia (Colubrariidae). The Nautilus. 123(4): 225-275]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20170202081421/http://biogomx.net/sites/default/files/pdfs/chapters/33-Rosenberg%20et%20al%202009-Gastropoda%20of%20the%20GoMx.pdf Rosenberg, G., F. Moretzsohn, and E. F. García. 2009. Gastropoda (Mollusca) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 579–699 in Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas.]
• [1] Monostiolum tessellatum - Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monostiolum_tessellatum
• [2] Monostiolum tessellatum - World Species. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://worldspecies.org/ntaxa/1011894/i
• [3] Reeve, L. A. (1844). Monograph of the genus Triton. In: Conchologia Iconica, or, illustrations of the shells of molluscous animals, vol. 2, pls 1-20 and unpaginated text. L. Reeve & Co., London.
• [4] Monostiolum - Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monostiolum
• [5] Las familias Buccinidae, Colubrariidae y Nassariidae (Mollusca: Neogastropoda) en Cuba, con la descripción de ocho nuevas especies - Revistas. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://revistasgeotech.com/index.php/poey/article/view/390/395
• [6] Monostiolum tessellatum | Dutch Caribbean Species Register. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://www.dutchcaribbeanspecies.org/linnaeus_ng/app/views/species/nsr_taxon.php?id=179706
• [7] Monostiolum tessellatum - SeaLifeBase. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Monostiolum-tessellatum

{{Taxonbar|from=Q6901990}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Monostiolum Tessellatum}}

Category:Pisaniidae

Category:Gastropods described in 1844