Melanella solitaria, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Eulimidae. The species is one of a number within the genus Melanella.
Description The length of the shell attains 4 mm, its diameter 1.5 mm.
(Original description) The small shell is white, shining, and somewhat curved. It consists of seven slightly convex whorls, which increase gradually and are separated by an almost horizontal suture that is very narrowly hyaline-margined beneath. The spire is slightly arcuate, with an oblique and obtuse apex. The aperture is inversely ear-shaped (auriform) and measures about one-third the total length of the shell. The columella is nearly straight and is united above to the outer lip by a thin callus.
Distribution This marine species was originally found off McMurdo Sound , Antarctica.
References
Engl, W. (2012). Shells of Antarctica. Hackenheim: Conchbooks. 402 pp.
External links
Griffiths, H.J.; Linse, K.; Crame, J.A. (2003). SOMBASE - Southern Ocean mollusc database: a tool for biogeographic analysis in diversity and evolution. Organisms Diversity and Evolution. 3: 207-213