Alvania litoralis (Nordsieck, 1972)
Western and central Mediterranean. As in Alvania rudis (Philippi, 1844), the strength of the radial sculpture can vary from strong to obsolete along the last whorls, and can disappear on the base of the shell. Grazer and detritus feeder.
Original taxon: Turbona elegantissima litoralis.
Tall-spired specimen. Anse de l’Arène, Cassis, Provence, S. France. 2,4mm.
Differences with rudis: 1)- a bigger protoconch; 2)- two spirals on the first teleoconch whorl, while this whorl is often smooth in rudis; 3)- four spirals at the end of the second whorl, instead of only one in rudis, placed abapically. Ressemblances with rudis: 1) the smooth protoconch; 2)- the variable colour, from white to brown. Both species can be sympatric.
Synonym: gittenbergeri van Aartsen & Menkhorst, 1988.
Stout white specimen from the same spot. 1,8mm.

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