Episcomitra cornicula (Linnaeus, 1758)
Mediterranean.
Predator on Sipuncula, in infralittoral hard substrates (gravels, rocks) or buried in sedimentary pits. Original taxon: Voluta cornicula. The synonymy describes the species: cornicularis, glabra, laevigata, lutescens, nitens, obtusa, spongiarum… – 2m deep, off an uplifted prehistoric harbour, Falasarna bay, Kissamos, W. Crete. 12-22mm. The largest shell is an Isara cornea (Lamarck, 1811), for comparison.
In algae, on Spondylus gaederopus Linné. 9m deep, on rocks, Astypálaia island, Kykládes, south Aegean. 8,5mm.
Specimens collected at 8m deep, in shell grit, at the base of submarine bank of conglomerate, 600m E. of Mochlos, NE. of Kolpos Mirabellou, Lassithi, N. Crete. 9,5-12mm.
Protoconch paucispiral. Sculpture made of 4 punctiform spirals on the first whorls. Young shell from 55m deep, Ognina, Catania, E. Sicilia. 5,75mm.
Animal almost entirely white. Live specimen pictured off the Costa Brava, E. Spain. Image provided by J. Regàs (ES).
(CC BY-NC-SA)
Albino specimen from Salamina island, Attikí, SE. Greece. Original pictures provided by A. Nappo (IT) – (CC BY-NC-SA).

— back to Mitridae —