Laetifautor spinulosus, common name the spine top shell, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk, in the family Calliostomatidae within the superfamily Trochoidea, the top snails, turban snails and their allies.MolluscaBase (2018). Laetifautor spinulosus (Tate, 1893). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=467302 on 2018-12-28 This Indo-Pacific species exhibits a distinctive conical shell with prominent spiral cords bearing acute, scalelike spines—a morphology adapted for stability in high-energy intertidal zones. Distributed from Japan to New Caledonia, it inhabits coral rubble and algal substrates at 5–50 m depths. Like many calliostomatids, it is a selective feeder on sponges and bryozoans, using its specialized radula to scrape prey. Molecular studies confirm its placement in the resurrected genus Laetifautor, distinguished by mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences.
Description The length of the shell attains 7 mm.
Distribution This marine species occurs off Southern Australia and Western Australia.
References
Allan, J. (1950). Australian Shells: with related animals living in the sea, in freshwater and on the land. Melbourne : Georgian House. xix 470 pp. Cotton, B.C. (1959). South Australian Mollusca. Archaeogastropoda. Adelaide : Govt. Printer. pp. 1–449. Wilson, B. (1993). Australian Marine Shells. Prosobranch Gastropods. Kallaroo, WA : Odyssey Publishing. Vol.1 1st Edn pp. 1–408.