Distorsio reticularis

Distorsio reticularis, common name reticulate distorsio, is a species of medium-sized sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Personidae, the Distortio snails.

Subspecies

Distorsio reticularis francesae Iredale, 1931

Distribution

This species is widespread in the Indo-Western Pacific, including the Persian Gulf, to Melanesia, north to Japan, China Sea, Taiwan, Philippines and south to Queensland.

Habitat

These sea snails live in tropical coral reef, at depths of about 10 to 100 m.

Description

Shells of Distorsio reticularis can reach a length of. These shells are fusiform, inflated and roughly sculptured with axial and spiral ribs and low axial varices. Spire whorls are irregular, with a wavering suture. The aperture is narrow and distorted, with strong teeth on the lips and a moderately developed callus. Siphonal canal is rather long and dorsally recurved. Operculum is corneous, irregularly ovate.

Biology

These sea snails probably are carnivorous. Sexes are separate. After hatching larvae are free-swimming.