Vexillum antonellii is a species of small sea snail, marine gastropod mollusk in the family Costellariidae, the ribbed miters. which is a group of snails that are commonly known as "tulip snails". Vexillum antonellii is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea to the Solomon Islands. It typically inhabits coral reefs and other hard-bottom substrates at depths of 10-60 meters.
Vexillum antonellii is a medium-sized snail, with shells that can reach up to 50 millimeters in length. The shell is slender and fusiform, with a long, narrow neck and a flared aperture. The shell is typically white or cream in color, with brown or reddish-brown markings. The markings can be in the form of spots, stripes, or zigzags.
Vexillum antonellii is a carnivorous snail. It preys on a variety of small organisms, including worms, crustaceans, and other mollusks. It uses its proboscis, which is a long, muscular tube, to capture and inject venom into its prey. Once the prey is paralyzed, Vexillum antonellii uses its radula, which is a tongue-like organ covered in sharp teeth, to scrape the prey's flesh off of its shell.
Vexillum antonellii is not a commercially important species. However, it is a popular shell among collectors. It is also sometimes used in traditional medicine.
Description Shell: The shell of Vexillum antonellii is slender and fusiform, with a long, narrow neck and a flared aperture. The shell can be white or cream in color, with brown or reddish-brown markings. The markings can be in the form of spots, stripes, or zigzags. The shell surface is often covered in fine spiral ridges. Aperture: The aperture of Vexillum antonellii is large and flared. The outer lip of the aperture is thickened and crenulated. The inner lip of the aperture is smooth and white. Foot: The foot of Vexillum antonellii is large and muscular. It is used for locomotion and for burrowing into the substrate. Proboscis: The proboscis of Vexillum antonellii is long and muscular. It is used for capturing prey and injecting venom. Radula: The radula of Vexillum antonellii is a tongue-like organ covered in sharp teeth. It is used for scraping flesh from prey.
Distribution Here are some specific countries where Vexillum antonellii has been found: Indonesia Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam India Sri Lanka Maldives Seychelles Tanzania Madagascar Mauritius Solomon Islands
It is possible that Vexillum antonellii is also found in other countries in the Indo-Pacific region, but more research is needed to confirm this.
References
Turner H. 2001. Katalog der Familie Costellariidae Macdonald, 1860. Conchbooks. 1–100 page(s): 17
External links Dohrn, H. (1860). Description of new species of Mitra from the collection of Hugh Cuming, Esq. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 28: 366-368 Cernohorsky, Walter Oliver. The Mitridae of Fiji; The veliger vol. 8 (1965)