Bivetiella similis (Sowerby, 1833)
W. Mediterranean to Namibia. Subtidal to continental shelf, in sand, muddy sand and in coralligen, mostly at about 100m deep. The species is said to be « more common in deeper water » (Verhecken 2007; link given further down). Predator.
Original taxon: Cancellaria similis.
Málaga, Andalucia, S. Spain. 32-34mm.
Beachstormed, at low tide, Cabo Pino, Marbella, Málaga. 28-33mm. R. M. Puertas Rey legit (ES).
Cancellaria similis in Th. Löbbecke:
“Die Genus Cancellaria”, Syst. Conchylien-Cabinet Bd.4:Abt.4, Nürnberg 1887.
 
Shell similar to the one of cancellata. It differs by « its less-shouldered whorls, and its smoother and less coarse macrosculpture, axial ribs less pronounced, a ?ner and more elaborate spiral sculpture: between the main spiral cords, second order and third order spirals can be seen on shells in pristine condition; these are lacking on B. cancellata. The spiral bands in B. cancellata are more pronounced than in B. similis. […] The distinction can already be made on the ?rst half teleoconch whorl, where B. similis has 5-7 close-set rugose spirals with no or only very faint axials; while B. cancellata has 4 or 5 distant spirals forming a coarse cancellated pattern with the clearly present axials. » – A. Verhecken: “Revision of the Cancellariidae of the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean”, Zoosystema 29(2), June 2007.
A set trawled off Dakhla, Oued Ed-Dahab-Lagouira, Western Sahara 25-37mm.
Golden specimens dredged in Dakar area, Sénégal. 22-23mm.

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