Eratoidea subquinquidens explained

Eratoidea subquinquidens is an extinct species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Borsoniidae.^[1]

Description

The length of the shell attains 5 mm, its diameter 3 mm.

(Original description) The smooth, shining shell is broadly fusiform, with a prominent blunt topped spire. It contains four, rounded whorls. They are not shouldered above the aperture. The aperture is rather narrow, widening towards the front. The columella is nearly straight, bearing five plaits, which are massive and broad, and practically all on the same slant. The fourth plait varies in different individuals, from being nearly as strong as the others, to less and less prominence, until in some specimens it is absent. Hence the name. The outer lip is rather rounded, strongly thickened and smooth within.^[2]

Distribution

This extinct marine species is endemic to Tasmania and were found in Tertiary strata.

References

• Laseron, C. F. (1957). A new classification of the Australian Marginellidae (Mollusca), with a review of species from the Solanderian and Dampierian zoogeographical provinces. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research. 8 (3): 274-311

Notes and References

1. MolluscaBase eds. (2023). MolluscaBase. Eratoidea subquinquidens (May, 1922) †. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1513463 on 2023-11-09
2. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/10375230#page/27/mode/1up May, W.L. (1922) New species of fossil shells from Table Cape. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, 1921, 9–12, pl. 4.