Vasum cassiforme


Vasum cassiforme, common name the helmet vase, is a species of medium to large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Turbinellidae.

Distribution

Vasum cassiforme lives in the southeastern and northeastern littoral of marine [molluscs">marine (ocean)">marine [molluscs of Brazil|Brazil], including Abrolhos [Marine National Park|Abrolhos] and the Brazilian states of Rio [Grande do Norte], Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe, Bahia and Espírito Santo.

Shell description

The maximum reported size of this species shell is 114.9 mm.
Vasum cassiforme has a large, thick and heavy shell, presenting 8 whorls. One of its most striking characteristics is its rich ornamentation, with foliated cords and spines over the body whorl and shoulder, respectively. It is colored cream or light brown externally, while the aperture may be colored purplish-brown.

Ecology

Habitat

This sea snail lives on sand and muddy bottoms, to a depth of 70 m.