Distorsio clathrata

Geological Range

Middle Miocene to Middle Pleistocene; Recent.

Paleogeographic Distribution

Panama to southern Florida.

Remarks

For information on the modern distribution of the species, see Malacolog.

First English Description (from Reeve, 1843, p. 68):

"The laughing Triton. Shell elongately ovate, somewhat fusiform, rather solid, distorted, with five or six rather indistinct varices; spire acuminated; whorls elegantly latticed with prominent, narrow, raised ridges, transverse ridges duplicate; pale bluish white, covered with a velvety epidermis; columella strongly wrinkled, stained with orange; canal rather short, scarcely turned upwards; aperture small, contracted; lip strongly toothed within, white, bordered with orange.

Although this species exhibits little more than a modification of the characters of the preceding, the difference is of good specific importance. The cancellated sculpture is wider and more prominent, whilst the ridges are more sharply noduled in crossing over each other. The wrinkles and denticulations which surround the aperture are much more strongly developed, and the orange-stained colouring of the enamelled disc is peculiarly characteristic."

To access this description in its original formatting through the Biodiversity Heritage Library, click here.

Stratigraphic Occurrences

Middle Pleistocene

Bermont Formation (S. FL)

Early Pleistocene

Abisinia Formation (Venezuela)

Late Pliocene

Mare Formation (Venezuela)

Early Pliocene

Bowden Formation (Jamaica)

Playa Grande Formation (Venezuela)

Late Miocene

Gatun Formation (Panama)

Middle Miocene

Gatun Formation (Panama)