Gaza rathbuni explained

Gaza rathbuni, common name Rathbun's gaza, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Margaritidae.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Description

The size of the discoid shell varies between 24 mm and 30 mm. The teleoconch consists of 4.5 weakly convex whorls. This species differs from Gaza superba by being more depressed, with stronger spiral grooving, a slightly smaller umbilicus, and more flattened over the sutures. The periostracum is olivaceous, polished, very thin and readily dehiscent. The operculum contains about seven whorls, thin and polished, slightly centrally concave, with a narrow thinner band marginating the coil.

The soft parts recall those of Gaza superba, but the muzzle seems shorter and there are seven slender, rather long epipodial filaments on the right side, instead of five as in Gaza superba.^[5]

Distribution

This species occurs in the Pacific Ocean off the Galapagos Islands and the Gulf of Panama.

References

• Finet, Y., 1995. Marine Molluscs of the Galapagos: Gastropods. A monograph and revision of the families Trochidae, Skeneidae, Turbinidae and Neritidae. First edition ed. L'Informatore Piceno, Italy.
• Luiz Ricardo L. Simone & Carlo M. Cunha, Revision of genera Gaza and Callogaza (Vetigastropoda, Trochidae), with description of a new Brazilian species; Zootaxa1318: 1–40 (2006)

External links

• USNM Invertebrate Zoology Mollusca Collection
• World Register of Marine Species

Notes and References

1. Bouchet, P. (2012). Gaza rathbuni. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=575616 on 2012-12-03
2. Keen M. (1971) Sea shells of tropical West America. Marine mollusks from Baja California to Perú, ed. 2. Stanford University Press. 1064 pp.
3. Simone L.R.L. & Cunha C.M. (2006) Revision of genera Gaza and Callogaza (Vetigastropoda, Trochidae), with description of a new Brazilian species. Zootaxa 1318: 1-40. (21 September 2006)
4. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. The Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS)
5. https://archive.org/details/proceedingsofuni121889unit Dall, W.H. (1890) Scientific results of explorations by the U.S. Fish Commission Steamer Albatross. No. VII – Preliminary report on the collection of Mollusca and Brachiopoda obtained in 1887–88. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 12, 219–362, pls. 5–14