Liotia cancellata

Definition
Liotia cancellata is a species of small marine gastropod mollusk belonging to the family Liotiidae. It is characterized by a coiled shell bearing a cancellate (lattice‑like) sculpture.

Overview

• Taxonomic classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Mollusca
  • Class: Gastropoda
  • Clade: Vetigastropoda
  • Superfamily: Trochoidea
  • Family: Liotiidae
  • Genus: Liotia
  • Species: Liotia cancellata

• Discovery and authority
  The species was first described in the 19th century; the original author and year of description are cited in taxonomic databases such as WoRMS (World Register of Marine Species).

• Habitat
  Members of the genus Liotia are typically found in shallow to moderately deep marine environments, often on sandy or rocky substrates. Specific habitat data for L. cancellata are sparse, but the species is presumed to occupy similar ecological niches as other liotiids.

• Distribution
  Published records place L. cancellata in the Indo‑Pacific region, though precise locality information is limited. Accurate, comprehensive distribution data are not confirmed.

Etymology / Origin
The specific epithet cancellata derives from the Latin cancellatus, meaning “latticed” or “cross‑barred.” This name refers to the distinctive cancellate (cross‑hatch) pattern of ridges and grooves that ornament the shell surface.

Characteristics

• Shell size: Typically only a few millimetres in diameter, consistent with the small size typical of liotiids.
• Shell morphology: The shell is turbinate (top‑shaped) with a rounded aperture. The surface displays a regular network of intersecting axial and spiral ribs, creating a lattice‑like (cancellate) texture.
• Operculum: Like other members of Liotiidae, L. cancellata possesses a calcareous operculum that seals the aperture when the animal retracts.
• Soft anatomy: Detailed anatomical descriptions have not been published; therefore, information on radula, foot, and internal organs remains unverified.

Related Topics

• Liotiidae – the family of small, sculptured sea snails to which L. cancellata belongs.
• Marine gastropod mollusks – a diverse group of mollusks that inhabit marine environments, encompassing many families including Liotiidae.
• Cancellate shell sculpture – a common term in malacology describing shells with intersecting ridges that form a lattice pattern, a feature shared by several unrelated gastropod taxa.

Note: While the existence of Liotia cancellata is documented in taxonomic registries, detailed biological and ecological information is limited. Consequently, some aspects of its description rely on general characteristics of the genus and family.