Common Name

"Bairstow’s Cone"

Status

Regarded as a valid species.

Type Locality

Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Distribution

Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Maximum Reported Size

51,7 mm

Description

Moderately small to medium-sized, moderately solid. Shell ventricosely conical, sometimes pyriform. Shoulder gegerally subangulate to rounded in adults. In subadults the shoulder is rather more subangulate to angulate than rounded. Soire of low to moderate height, with a concave to straight profile and a prominent white to light brown protoconch. Flat teleoconch sutural ramps, late ones striated with 5-6 spiral grooves or many spiral striae. Last whorl with fine but distinct spiral ribs on basal half, stronger towards the base. Ground colour of the shell white, sometimes overlaid with yellowish or orange. Base brown or violet-brown. Aperture white, sometimes with an orangish tinge. The pattern of the last whorl consists of spiral rows of orange-brown to dark reddish-brown squarish spots, sometimes fusing into variably axial streaks of flames. Entirely white patternless specimens are also known. The spire has the same colour and pattern of the last whorl.

Radula: vermivorous type, relatively large, stout, with a prominent barb, and a blade covering most of the apical part, which is slightly longer than half of the total length of the tooth. Rather broad serration, with a single row of about 22 teeth. Waist indistinct, not very well marked. Base rather narrow, with a spur.

References

• J. Conch. London 6 (1): p. 9, pl. 1, fig. 12.