Nassarius crassiusculus
A thick-shelled nassariid with reddish longitudinal lines.
Nassarius crassiusculus is a marine gastropod mollusk belonging to the family Nassariidae, the group known as Nassa mud snails or dog whelks. Its taxonomic history is noteworthy: it was originally described as *Buccinum elegans*, but that name was later ruled nomenclaturally invalid, so the replacement name *Nassarius crassiusculus* was adopted. The shell is thick, ovate, conical, smooth, and glossy, with a whitish base color decorated by numerous wavy reddish longitudinal lines. The spire consists of eight or nine convex whorls; the upper whorls are plaited, while the lower ones bear alternating white and brown spots or blotches around the suture. A slightly darker band runs across the body whorl, whose base has five or six distinct transverse grooves. The aperture is white and ovate, with a sort of canal at the top indicated by a transverse ridge on the left lip. The outer lip is thick, finely toothed toward the base, and deeply grooved inside. The columella is curved, with a spirally folded base; the left lip extends slightly onto the shell body, forming a small projecting keel ending in tiny drops and a raised point. This species is found in the Indian Ocean off the Seychelles.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Nassarius crassiusculus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The shell of Nassarius crassiusculus is thick, ovate, conical, shining, and smooth. Its ground color is whitish, ornamented with numerous undulated and reddish longitudinal lines. The spire consists of eight or nine convex whorls; the upper ones are plaited, while the others are marked at their upper part with white and brown spots or blotches alternately disposed around the suture. A slightly deeper-colored band covers the body of the body whorl, the base of which has five or six distinct transverse striae or furrows. The white aperture is ovate, terminated above by a sort of canal indicated by a transverse ridge upon the left lip. The outer lip is thick, slightly denticulated toward the base, and deeply striated within. The columella is arcuated, with a spirally folded base; the left lip covers it, extends slightly onto the body of the shell, and forms a small projecting keel terminated by small drops and a raised point.
Reader's Guide
Nassarius crassiusculus holds significance in malacology due to its complex taxonomic history. The species was originally described as Buccinum elegans, but that name was found to be nomenclaturally invalid, leading to its replacement name, Nassarius crassiusculus. This taxonomic revision reflects ongoing efforts to clarify the nomenclature within the Nassariidae family. The species is recorded from the Indian Ocean off the Seychelles, contributing to the known biodiversity of that region. Its distinctive shell morphology—with reddish longitudinal lines, alternating spots, and a thick outer lip—helps distinguish it from related nassariids. The species has been discussed in paleontological contexts as well, with a rediscovery of an enigmatic Euro-Mediterranean Pliocene nassariid species under the same name, indicating potential broader historical distribution or taxonomic connections. The entry in WoRMS lists it as a valid species on the authority of H. Kool, though earlier work by Cernohorsky regarded Buccinum elegans as a synonym of Nassarius comptus, illustrating the ongoing debate among specialists.
Did You Know?
- Its shell has eight or nine convex whorls with reddish undulated longitudinal lines.
- This species occurs in the Indian Ocean off the Seychelles.
More in Marine Snails: Ceriths, Nassas and Conchs, Part 2 1-24
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