(Rayneval & Ponzi, 1854)
Description (shell):
Shell a tall, narrow cone of 10-11 flat-sided whorls; spire bent along its axis; transparent when fresh. Smooth, with occasional very slight growth lines and varices. Aperture narrow, drop-shaped; outer lip with peripheral bulge in side view (V. philippi-drawing).
Size:
Up to 8 x 2.5 mm.
Colour:
Whitish and transparent when fresh, older shells opaque and creamy.
Animal:
Head comprises a projecting ledge with the opening of an introvert on its underside and with divergent tentacles arising from its anterior edge, each with a basal eye. Foot narrow, sole with a median groove; opercular lobes large and equal. Colour white with yellow and red marks.
Habitat:
Common on soft substrata from LWST to 200 m, apparently associated with various echinoderms.
Distribution:
Distributed from Mediterranean to Norway; absent from eastern Channel and southern North Sea (Distr. V. phillippi).