Vasum muricatum

{{Short description|Species of gastropod}}

{{Speciesbox

|image = Vasum muricatum 000.jpg

|image_caption = Two views of a shell of Vasum muricatum without periostracum from Los Roques archipelago, Venezuela

|taxon =Vasum muricatum

|extinct =

|authority = (Born, 1778)

|synonyms_ref=

|synonyms=

  • Turbinella pugillaris Lamarck, 1822
  • Vasum urna Röding, 1798
  • Voluta muricata Born, 1778 (original combination)
  • Volutella divergens Perry, 1810

|display_parents = 3

}}

Vasum muricatum, common name the Caribbean vase, is a species of medium to large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Turbinellidae.Morris, A. P. (1973): “A Field Guide to Shells of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts and the West Indies”. Hougmon Mifflin Co Boston.MolluscaBase eds. (2023). MolluscaBase. Vasum muricatum (Born, 1778). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=420079 on 2023-01-28

Description

Vasum muricatum has a large, thick and heavy shell that reaches a length of 50 – 100 mm. The shell is quite elongated, conical or vase-shaped (hence the common name). There are blunt spines at the shoulder and near the base. The shell is off- white with black or dark brown periostracum externally, while the aperture is usually white. The columella has 5 strong folds, the first and third being the largest.Abbott, R Tucker (1974). American Seashells. D. Van Nostrand Reinhold. Ltd. New York. 663.

Distribution

This species is widespread in the Caribbean Sea. In Venezuela this species has been reported from the state of Falcon,Bitter, Ricardo S. y Martínez E. Rafael. 2001: Inventario de los moluscos marinos en las costas del estado Falcón, Venezuela. Acta Biologica Venezuelica, 21(1):21-41. Nueva EspartaMacsotay, O. 1982: Intervalos batimetabólicos y batimétricos de algunos moluscos bentónicos marinos de Venezuela. BOL. Soc. Ven. Cien. Nat. 37:103-147Princz, D. 1973: Moluscos gastrópodos y pelecipodos del Estado Nueva Esparta, Venezuela. Mem. Soc. Cien. Nat. La Salle, 33:169-222Princz, D y a González de Pacheco. 1981: Los moluscos marinos del Parque Nacional La Restinga, isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Ministerio del ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales Renovables. Serie informes cientifico. Zona 14/IC/1-42 and Dependencias Federales.Capelo, J.C. y J. Buitrago. 1998: Distribución d e los moluscos marinos en el oriente de de Venezuela. Mem. Soc. Cien. Nat. La Salle, 150:109-160.

Habitat

This species is rather common and is often found in pairs in shallow water. It preys on worms and clams.Warmke, Germaine L. & Abbott, R Tucker. (1961): Caribbean Seashells. Livingston Publishing Company. Narberth. Pennsylvania.

Gallery

File:Vasum muricatum (Born, 1778) 000.jpg|Vasum muricatum from Los Monjes Archipelago, Venezuela.

File:Vasum muricatum (Born, 1778) 001.jpg|Vasum muricatum from Los Monjes Archipelago, Venezuela.

File:Vasum muricatum (Born, 1778) 2013 000.JPG|Vasum muricatum from Isla La Tortuga

File:Vasum muricatum (Born, 1778) 2013 001.JPG|Vasum muricatum from Isla La Tortuga

References

{{Reflist}}

  • Rosenberg, G.; Moretzsohn, F.; García, E. F. (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. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas.