Pyrgiscus rufus is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Pyramidellidae, the pyrams and their allies.Gofas, S. (2015). Pyrgiscus rufus (Philippi, 1836). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=836212 on 2015-04-10Gofas, S.; Le Renard, J.; Bouchet, P. (2001). Mollusca, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 180-213Peñas A. & Rolán E. (1997) La familia Pyramidellidae Gray, 1840 (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Heterostropha) en Africa occidental. 2. Los géneros Turbonilla y Eulimella. Iberus suplemento 3: 1-105. (5 June 1997)
Taxonomy Whether this species is distinct from Pyrgiscus crenatus (Brown, 1827) is controversial. Both are tentatively distinguished by Reñas & Rolán in Gofas et al. (2011) and by Giannuzzi-Saveli et al. (2014).
Description The shell grows to a length of 5 mm-9 mm. Shell: Elongated shell with 14 or less whorls, Reddish shell. Sculpture c. 20 slightly opisthocline axial ribs, with wide interspaces. Whorls are evenly rounded, tending to flat. The body is a clear pale-azure color, with irregularly spaced snow-white flakes. Distribution This species occurs in the Mediterranean Sea. Watson's record from Puerto Rico is probably not the same species.Watson, R. B. 1886. Report on the Scaphopoda and Gasteropoda collected by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873-1876. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger, Zoology 15(2): i-v, 1-680, 692-756, 50 pls. Her Majesty's Government: London
References
Giannuzzi-Savelli R., Pusateri F., Micali, P., Nofroni, I., Bartolini S. (2014). Atlante delle conchiglie marine del Mediterraneo, vol. 5 (Heterobranchia). Edizioni Danaus, Palermo, pp. 1– 111 with 41 unnumbered plates (figs. 1-363), appendix pp. 1–91.
External links
Encyclopedia of Life World Register of Marine Species Biodiversity Heritage Library (43 publications) CLEMAM