Cominella virgata is a species of predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Cominellidae.MolluscaBase eds. (2020). MolluscaBase. Cominella virgata H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=490936 on 2020-09-12
Distribution This marine species is endemic to New Zealand.Powell A. W. B., New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 Willan, R.C., de C. Cook, S., Spencer, H.G., Creese, R.G., O’Shea, S., Jackson, G.D. Phylum Mollusca. In: de C. Cook, S.C. (eds.), New Zealand Coastal Marine Invertebrates 1, 406 – 407. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch, New Zealand
Taxonomy
A subspecies, Cominella virgata brookesi Powell, 1952 was formerly recognized, but the taxon was demonstrated to be genetically indistinguishable from C. virgata virgata.
Habitat This species inhabits the mid to low tidal zones and prefers areas where there is less sediment. It can be observed in tide pools, sheltering in crevices or underneath rocks. It has an affinity for Neptune's Necklace and Coralline algae species.
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