Odostomia conspicua

Alder, 1850

Description (shell):
Shell a tall, pointed cone, solid, moderately broad. There are 6-7 postlarval whorls forming a more or less straight-sided spire. The whorls meet at rather deep sutures below each of which is a narrow subsutural shelf. Whorls are slightly tumid, flatter peripherally. Last whorl is often roundly keeled (occupies 55-65 % of shell height). Growth lines markedly prosocline. Aperture lozenge-shaped with a basal spout (occupies about 40 % of shell height). Inside of the outer lip with a series of list-like teeth. Umbilical groove is narrow and deep, umbilicus small. This species can be differentiated from Odostomia acuta by the absence of a well developed umbilicus and a clear angulation at the periphery of the last whorl. Tooth prominent, linked to edge of peristome by strong ridge, and placed about the middle of the apertural height. Some large shells show ridges in the throat.

Size:
Up to 9 mm long; the Mediterranean specimens usually much smaller.

Colour:
Light rose to brown, never white.

Animal:
Animals of this species have apparently never been described.

Habitat:
The animals live from 18-100 m deep on muddy sand.

Distribution:
It has been found from the Mediterranean north to southern Scandinavia (Distr. O. conspicua).

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