Original taxon: Turbo zetlandicus. Grazer and detritus feeder in the sublittoral (north) and circalittoral, down to the continental shelf (south). The species is characterized by a strong reticulate sculpture in which the radial and spiral crests are of equal strength, the intersections being markedly cruciform and prominent (« muricated or spiky » in J. G. Jeffreys – cf. infra). Suture deep; subsutural ramp wide.
 
« This very elegant little shell is another new species, for which we are indebted to the researches of the Rev. Mr. Fleming, who found it on the shore of the isle of Noss in Zetland; a situation which has been little explored with a scientific eye. » – G. Montagu: “An Account of some new and rare marine British Shells and Animals», Transactions of the Linnean Society of London vol. XI, London 1815, p.194.

« Habitat: sparingly found in the coralline and deep-sea zones, Guernsey (Barlee and others), Porth Curnow Cove, Cornwall (Miss Lavars), Hayle (Hockin), co. Antrim (Hyndman and J. G. J.), Lamlash, Bute (Landsborough), Skye and Hebrides (J. G. J.), St. Fergus bay, Peterhead (Bingham, fide Brown), Aberdeenshire (Dawson), Caithness (Gordon), Orkneys (Thomas), Shetland (Fleming and others), at depths ranging from 18-70 f. Fossil in the Coralline Crag at Sutton (Wood), and in the miocene formation near Vienna (Homes). Living on the coast of South Sweden, in 12-75 f. (Lovén and Malm) , Cherbourg (Récluz), off Vigo Bay (M’Andrew), Antibes (Macé), Nice (Vérany), and Naples (Philippi). » – J. G. Jeffreys: British conchology vol. IV, London 1867, p.20-21.