Cantharidus capillaceus

Lore & Background

The shell of Cantharidus capillaceus is imperforate, ovate-conical, and nearly smooth, with very fine dense spiral striae that leave narrow shallow grooves, sometimes nearly obsolete. Its colour is deep purple or reddish-grey, occasionally with white dots, and the apex is usually pink. The thin, often shining epidermis is easily rubbed off. The spire is conical with slightly convex sides, a subacute apex, and a conoidal protoconch of three convex spirally striate whorls. The whorls number six to seven, are slightly convex, and the last is rounded or obtusely angular. The base is flatly convex, the suture linear and slightly impressed. The aperture is less than half the shell length, ovate, oblique, iridescent within, and lirate. The outer lip is convex, effuse on meeting the basal lip, with a sharp, finely denticulate edge. The columella is subvertical with a slight median swelling, and the inner lip expands into a callous pad over the umbilical tract, with a thin callus on the parietal wall.

Reader's Guide

The species is notable for its distinctive shell morphology and coloration, as described in the source article. Its imperforate, ovate-conical shell with fine spiral striae and deep purple or reddish-grey colouration, often with white dots and a pink apex, distinguishes it within the Trochidae family. The thin, shining epidermis that easily rubs off is a characteristic feature. The species was formerly divided into subspecies, including the nominate Cantharidus capillaceus capillaceus and Cantharidus capillaceus coruscans, the latter now considered a synonym. Its distribution is restricted to New Zealand, specifically off Auckland and the Campbell Islands, making it an endemic component of the region's marine fauna. The shell length ranges from 13 mm to 28 mm, and the whorls number six to seven. The aperture is iridescent within and lirate, with a denticulate outer lip and a columella with a slight swelling. These details, drawn from the source article, contribute to the species' identification and taxonomic understanding within the Trochidae.

Did You Know?

• The shell length of Cantharidus capillaceus varies between 13 mm and 28 mm.
• The species is endemic to New Zealand, occurring off Auckland and the Campbell Islands.
• Former subspecies included Cantharidus capillaceus coruscans, now considered a synonym.
• The shell is deep purple or reddish-grey, sometimes with white dots, and the apex is usually pink.