| Aptyxis syracusana (Linnaeus, 1758) |
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Mediterranean to Canarias. Predator in rocky areas, from shallow water to a few fathoms deep.
Original taxon: Murex syracusanus.
Synonym: Murex fortis Risso.
12m deep, Scilla, Messina Strait, SW. Italy. 39mm. |
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A lengthened variant common in eastern Mediterranean.
6m deep, on rock, in a sheltered area protected by reefs, west of Ferma harbour, east of Ierapetra, SE. Crete. 35mm. |
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Fusus syracusanus in W. Kobelt: “Die Gattungen Pyrula und Fusus”, Systematisches Conchylien-Cabinet Bd.3:Abt.3B, Nürnberg 1881.
« Testa fusiformis, spira turrita, cauda brevi plus minusve contorta; anfractus 10—11, superi convexi, sequentes superne plus minusve distincte angulati, ad suturam contracti, costis obliquis ad angulum subtuberculatis confertim sculpti, spiraliter lirati, liris minoribus intercedentibus lineisque incrementi subcostiformibus clathrati; anfractus ultimus ad initium caudae iterum angulatus, longitudinis dimidiam parum superans. Apertura ovata, superne subemarginata, inferne in canalem angustum recurvum breviorem desinens, labro crenulato intus sulcato. Alba, maculis et zonulis ferrugineo-fuscis ornata, epidermide fusca lamellosa plus minusve adhaerente obtecta. » |
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| 3m deep, Falasarna bay, Kissamos, W. Crete. 36-38mm. |
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| Pattern variation in Fusus syracusanus by W. Kobelt in Iconographie der schalentragenden europ ischen Meeresconchylien vol. I, Cassel 1887. |
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| Washed ashore after winter storms, NE. of Skala Sykoundas, Mytilini island (Lesvos), N. Aegean. 23-27mm. |
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| 4m deep, under rocks, in pebble-stone bank south of pontoon, Plaka, NW. of Elounda bay, Lasithi, N. Crete. 24mm. |
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| The species, pictured on a stamp of Malta Post. |
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| Rare orange specimen, collected at 4m deep, on stones, Vai bay, north of Palaikastro, Sitía, E. Crete. 42,3mm. |
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A syracusana from Siracusa, SE. Sicilia. 47,5mm.
Original pictures provided by A. Nappo (IT).
– (CC BY-NC-SA) – |
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2m deep, Brač island, Split-Dalmatia Comitat, S. Croatia. 56mm. Original pictures provided by D. Šindrbálová (CZ).
– (CC BY-NC-SA) – |