Cominella virgata explained

Cominella virgata is a species of predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Cominellidae.^[1]

Distribution

This marine species is endemic to New Zealand.^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]}

Taxonomy

A subspecies, Cominella virgata brookesi Powell, 1952 was formerly recognized, but the taxon was demonstrated to be genetically indistinguishable from C. virgata virgata.

Habitat

This species inhabits the mid to low tidal zones and prefers areas where there is less sediment.^[8] It can be observed in tide pools, sheltering in crevices or underneath rocks. It has an affinity for Neptune's Necklace and Coralline algae species.

Notes and References

1. MolluscaBase eds. (2020). MolluscaBase. Cominella virgata H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=490936 on 2020-09-12
2. [Arthur William Baden Powell|Powell A. W. B.]
3. Willan, R.C., de C. Cook, S., Spencer, H.G., Creese, R.G., O’Shea, S., Jackson, G.D. Phylum Mollusca. In: de C. Cook, S.C. (eds.), New Zealand Coastal Marine Invertebrates 1, 406 – 407. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch, New Zealand
4. 10.1111/bij.12529 . Phylogeography of the whelk genus Cominella (Gastropoda: Buccinidae) suggests long-distance counter-current dispersal of a direct developer . Biological Journal of the Linnean Society . 115 . 315–332 . 2015 . Donald . Kirsten M. . Winter . David J. . Ashcroft . Anna L. . Spencer . Hamish G. . 2 . free .
5. 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.06.018 . A phylogeny of Southern Hemisphere whelks (Gastropoda: Buccinulidae) and concordance with the fossil record . Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 114 . 2017 . 367–381 . 2017 . Vaux . Felix . Hills . Simon F.K. . Marshall . Bruce A. . Trewick . Steven A. . Morgan-Richards . Mary . 28669812 .
6. 10.1080/00288330.2017.1340899 . Genetic connectivity among populations of two congeneric direct-developing whelks varies across spatial scales . New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research . 52 . 1 . 100–117 . 2018 . Fleming . Angela M. . Dohner . Melanie . Phillips . Nicole E. . Ritchie . Peter A. . 90774557 .
7. 10.1093/biolinnean/bly174 . Phylogeography of the New Zealand whelks Cominella maculosa and C. virgata (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda: Buccinoidea: Buccinidae) . Biological Journal of the Linnean Society . 126 . 1 . 178–202 . 2019 . Walton . Kerry . Marshall . Bruce A. . Phillips . Nicole E. . Verry . Alexander J.F. . Ritchie . Peter A. .
8. Book: Carson, Sally F. . Collins field guide to the New Zealand seashore . . Rod Morris . 2017 . 978-1-77554-010-6 . Auckland, New Zealand . 191 . English . 1012909625.