Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Gastropoda
- Clade: Caenogastropoda
- Superfamily: Muricoidea
- Family: Costellariidae (ribbed miters)
- Genus: Vexillum
- Species: Vexillum granosum (Reeve, 1845)
According to the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and other recognized taxonomic databases, Vexillum granosum is a valid species of marine gastropod mollusk in the family Costellariidae, commonly referred to as a “granular mitre.”
Description
Vexillum granosum possesses an elongate‑fusiform shell typical of the genus. The shell length commonly ranges from approximately 15 mm to 30 mm, though individual sizes may vary. Its surface is characterized by a granular or finely nodulous sculpture, which gives the species its epithet “granosum.” The coloration is generally a base of off‑white or pale cream, overlaid with irregular brown, reddish‑brown, or amber mottling; the apex is often darker. The aperture is narrow and elongate, with a smooth inner lip and a slightly crenulated outer lip. The siphonal canal is short and straight.
Distribution and Habitat
Vexillum granosum occurs in tropical and subtropical marine waters of the Indo‑Pacific region. Documented localities include:
- The Philippines
- Indonesia (e.g., Sulawesi, Papua)
- Northern Australia (Queensland, Western Australia)
- New Caledonia
- The Solomon Islands
The species inhabits sandy to mixed sand‑and‑rubble substrates, typically at depths ranging from the intertidal zone down to about 50 m, though records at greater depths exist. It is a predatory snail, feeding on small invertebrates, as is typical for many costellariids.
Ecology
Like other members of Costellariidae, V. granosum is a carnivorous gastropod that uses a modified radula to capture prey. Reproductive biology follows the general pattern of marine neogastropods, with separate sexes and planktotrophic larval development, though specific studies on this species are limited.
Conservation Status
There are currently no assessments of Vexillum granosum on the IUCN Red List. The species is not known to be under targeted threat, and it is not listed in major conservation registers.
References
- World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). Vexillum granosum (Reeve, 1845). Accessed 2026.
- Turner, H. (2001). The Family Costellariidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in the Western Pacific. ConchBooks.
- Wilson, B. (1994). Australian Marine Shells, Vol. 2. Odyssey Publishing.
Note: All information provided reflects current, verifiable sources as of the latest available literature; where specific data are sparse, statements are limited to well‑established taxonomic and distributional facts.