Precious Wentletrap
NamePrecious Wentletrap
Scientific NameEpitonium scalare
Common NamePrecious Wentletrap
FamilyEpitoniidae
GenusEpitonium
Speciesscalare
Geographic DistributionIndo-Pacific region, including areas such as the Philippines, Japan, and parts of Australia.
Average Size (mm)25
Identifying FeaturesHigh-spired, turriculate shell with prominent, widely spaced, blade-like axial ribs that are continuous up the spire, giving a 'ladder' effect. The shell is typically pure white and possesses a round aperture with a dark, corneous operculum.
Rarityrare
Author Citation(Linnaeus, 1758)
Description
The Precious Wentletrap is a highly distinctive and elegant marine gastropod shell. It is characterized by its tall, slender, and turriculate spire, composed of numerous convex whorls. The most striking feature is the presence of prominent, widely spaced, blade-like axial ribs (varices) that are continuous from one whorl to the next, creating a ladder-like or staircase appearance. The shell is typically pure white to creamy white, with a smooth and glossy surface between the ribs. The aperture is round, and the specimen in the image clearly shows a dark, corneous, multispiral operculum.
