Nassarius stolatus

Lore & Background

Nassarius stolatus is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Nassariidae. Its shell is ovate and conical, pointed at the summit, with a pyramidal spire composed of six or seven distinct, smooth, convex whorls. The whorls bear very prominent, convex, longitudinal folds that are intersected only at the base and on the upper two or three whorls by a few deep transverse striae. On the upper whorls the striae become finer and more approximate, and they rarely cover the entire surface. The longitudinal folds are absent from the right portion of the body whorl. The shell color is violaceous white, with a dark red zone bordering the suture and a broader, browner band around the middle of the body whorl.

Reader's Guide

Nassarius stolatus is a species of sea snail in the family Nassariidae, commonly known as Nassa mud snails or dog whelks. Its shell, ranging from 15 mm to 30 mm in length, is notable for its violaceous white coloration with a dark red suture zone and a brown band on the body whorl. The species is native to the Indian Ocean, occurring off India (Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra), Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Thailand. It has also been recorded as an introduced species in the Mediterranean Sea. The shell's prominent longitudinal folds and transverse striae, particularly on the upper whorls, are characteristic features. The species has been documented in European registers of marine species and in studies of alien species in the Mediterranean, reflecting its spread beyond its native range. Its presence in the Mediterranean highlights the broader patterns of marine species introductions and the need for monitoring such invasions.

Did You Know?

• The shell length of Nassarius stolatus varies from 15 mm to 30 mm.
• This species is native to India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Thailand.