Vasum floridanum

Geological Range

Middle Pleistocene; Extinct.

Paleogeographic Distribution

Southern Florida.

Remarks

Original Description (from McGinty, 1940, p. 82):

"Shell large, spire somewhat elevated, whorls about 7 (nucleus lost), prominently spined; a single row of large spines, not sharp, nine in number on the last whorl; surface sculpture of irregular mostly small spiral ridges, most conspicuous are two flat v-shaped ridges below the crown and two rounded ridges with a smaller between just above the basal spines, two rows of basal spines, about 6 in number with a smaller ridge below not spined each about equidistant; columellar plaits 4, upper largest; surface of shell covered with fine rugose lines of growth. Height 108 mm. (without nucleus), width 81 mm.

Locality: Ortona Locks, Caloosahatchee Canal (south side), Glades County. Horizon: Caloosahatchee marl. Pliocene. Holotype in McGinty collection.

This species may well be the pliocene progenitor of the recent V. muricatum. So far only the holotype, in splendid condition, and a recognizable fragment of this grand shell have turned up in the Caloosahatchee beds. V. floridanum differs from V. muricatum in having a more elevated spire, being gracefully spined and the sculpture is quite unlike the heavy ridges of the recent species."

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Stratigraphic Occurrences

Middle Pleistocene

Bermont Formation (S. FL)

Bermont Formation? (S. FL)