Bela (gastropod)


Bela is a genus of sea snails; marine gastropod mollusks in the family Mangeliidae.

Taxonomy

Because of taxonomic uncertainty regarding the type species, many authors in the 19th century e.g. G.O. Sars and W.H.Dall used the generic name Bela for unrelated species correctly placed in Propebela, Oenopota or Curtitoma, and then used Raphitoma for species currently placed in Bela.

Description

The ovate shell is fusiform. The surface is dull, smooth, or longitudinally ribbed. The spire is elevated and shorter than the body whorl. The columella is flattened. The siphonal canal is short. The outer lip shows a small sinus at its junction with the body whorl.

Species

Species within the genus Bela include:Bela alma Thiele, 1925Bela ampla Smith, E.A., 1884
;Species brought into synonymy :Bela abyssicola : synonym of Pleurotoma abyssicola Reeve, 1844Bela abyssorum Locard, 1897: synonym of Gymnobela abyssorum
; Nomina dubia:Bela fortis : nomen dubiumBela minuta : nomen dubiumBela turgida : ''nomen dubium''