At this time, the species has been only found in the type-locality, Egadi islands, at the western end of Sicilia. Predator on sessile preys in the circalittoral.
« Shell of small size with 6-7 whorls, the apical ones granulose sometimes as far as the third whorl; this granularity is made of dense minute grains arranged initially on three rows, up to the end of the third whorl where these rows become four, the upper one dividing into two, giving rise to the suprasutural cord, which will become more and more conspicuous all the way to the base. The other granulose cords will transform into four beads of almost the same size that will not disappear before the last whorl. » – R. Ardovini: “Calliostoma funiculatum n. sp. (Gastropoda, Calliostomatidae) dalla Sicilia occidentale, Isole Egadi”, Malacologia Mostra Mondiale vol. 71, p.19.
« Shell of small size with 6-7 whorls, the apical ones granulose sometimes as far as the third whorl; this granularity is made of dense minute grains arranged initially on three rows, up to the end of the third whorl where these rows become four, the upper one dividing into two, giving rise to the suprasutural cord, which will become more and more conspicuous all the way to the base. The other granulose cords will transform into four beads of almost the same size that will not disappear before the last whorl. » – R. Ardovini: “Calliostoma funiculatum n. sp. (Gastropoda, Calliostomatidae) dalla Sicilia occidentale, Isole Egadi”, Malacologia Mostra Mondiale vol. 71, p.19.
However, you will note that the subsutural cord, on the smooth whorls, seems to be constantly wider than the following ones.
Above and below: 90-120m deep, Egadi islands. 11,1mm.
Original pictures provided by A. Nappo (IT).
– (CC BY-NC-SA) –
« The most noticeable in this new species is the base, entirely covered with thick embossed streaks regularly separated from each other by microstriae that run from the base of the columella up to the suprasutural bead. » – Ibid. Colour orangey fawn; albino specimens exist also. This shell resembles that of C. zizyphinum but is smaller and more high-spired. Moreover, funiculatum has a base that is more strongly sculptured than those of the other mediterranean members of the genus.
Same spot. 10,2mm.
Original pictures provided by A. Nappo (IT).
– (CC BY-NC-SA) –
Original pictures provided by A. Nappo (IT).
– (CC BY-NC-SA) –