Roseaplagis caelatus


Roseaplagis caelatus is a species of small sea snail in the family Trochidae, the top shells.

Description

It is smaller than Cantharidus sanguineus but it is more deeply ribbed and its grooves are wider.
The imperforate shell is more deeply ribbed, and the ribs narrower. They number 5 to 7 on the penultimate whorl, 15 to 16 on the body whorl. Sometimes they are obsoletely granose through being crossed by growth lines. The columella shows a slight swelling in the middle.

Distribution

This marine species is endemic to New Zealand and occurs off the Foveaux Straits; Port Pegasus, Stewart Island; Snares and Bounty Islands

Subspecies

The former subspecies have been named:Micrelenchus caelatus archibenthicola Dell, 1956: synonym of Cantharidus caelatus mortenseni Powell, 1933; synonym of Roseaplagis mortenseni Micrelenchus caelatus bakeri Fleming, 1948: synonym of Roseaplagis artizona A. Adams, 1853 Micrelenchus caelatus elongatus : synonym of Cantharidus caelatus elongatus ; synonym of Roseaplagis artizona A. Adams, 1853Micrelenchus caelatus morioria Powell, 1933: synonym of Cantharidus caelatus mortenseni Powell, 1933; synonym of Roseaplagis mortenseni Micrelenchus caelatus mortenseni : synonym of ''Roseaplagis mortenseni''