Kingdom Animalia Class Gastropoda Family Turbinellidae Rank Species | Phylum Mollusca Superfamily Muricoidea Genus Vasum | |
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Similar Vasum, Vasum ceramicum, Turbinella angulata, Vasum rhinoceros, Vasum cassiforme | ||
Vasum muricatum, common name the Caribbean vase, is a species of medium to large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Turbinellidae.
Contents
Description
Vasum muricatum has a large, thick and heavy shell that reaches a length of 50 – 100 mm. The shell is quite elongated, conical or vase-shaped (hence the common name). There are blunt spines at the shoulder and near the base. The shell is off- white with black or dark brown periostracum externally, while the aperture is usually white. The columella has 5 strong folds, the first and third being the largest.
Distribution
This species is widespread in the Caribbean Sea. In Venezuela this species has been reported from the state of Falcon, Nueva Esparta and Dependencias Federales.
Habitat
This species i rather common and is often found in pairs in shallow water. It preys on worns and clams.