Epitonium scalareThe Epitoniidae are a worldwide, family of mollusks commonly referred to as Wentletraps.

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Epitoniidae
Epitoniidae
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The illustrated Epitoniidae are from private, or museum collections.
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Amaea bruneopictaAmaea bruneopicta (Dall, 1908) - Pacific Panama, 28mm - the species ranges from southern Baja south to the Galapagos Islands. These were dredged in 200-300 feet of water. Amaea magnificaAmaea magnifica (Sowerby, 1844) - Japan, 71mm - the largest species of Epitoniidae in Japanese waters. Uncommonly trawled. Amaea mitchelliAmaea mitchelli (Dall, 1896) - Colombia, 44-47mm - taken by fishing trawlers off the Guajira Peninsula. Some Epitonium specialists consider this to be different from the A. mitchelli found in the Gulf of Mexico off Texas.
Boreoscala greenlandicaBoreoscala greenlandica (Perry, 1811) - Alaska, 36mm - circumboreal distribution south to temperate waters. These shells were trawled in the Aleutian Islands in 90 meters of water. Cirsotrema bennettorumCirsotrema bennettorum Garcia, 2000 - New Caledonia, 20-28mm - from deep water. Formerly listed on this Web site as Eptionium sp. -- much speculation about its identity lead to it being described as new to science. It is most certainly unique amongst the Wentletraps. Reference: Novapex 1 (3-4): 105-107, 20 Oct. 2000. Cirsotrema dalliCirsotrema dalli Rehder, 1945 - Caribbean Panama, 33mm - considered by some to be C. cochlea.
Cirsotrema edgariCirsotrema edgari (de Boury, 1912) [+ eboreum Lan, 1976] - Philippines, 45mm - the fluted varices are the most identifiable and remarkable feature of this species. Cirsotrema plexisCirsotrema plexis (Dall, 1925) - Japan, 25mm - a deepwater species. Cirsotrema varicosaCirsotrema varicosa (Lamarck, 1822) - Philippines, 63mm - the scabrous sculpture is the most notable characteristic. This specimen is very large for the species.
Epitonium costulatumEpitonium costulatum Kiener, 1839 - Thailand, 35mm - delicate blade-like ribs; smaller size specimens have also been found in the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea. Epitonium dallianumEpitonium dallianum Verrill & Smith, 1880 - Florida, 11-13mm - dredged in moderately deep water. Epitonium krebsiiEpitonium krebsii (Mörch, 1874) - Colombia, 18-19mm - dredged. Found throughout the West Indies.
Epitonium imperialisEpitonium imperialis Sowerby, 1844 - Australia, 39mm - found in 2-3 meters of water, buried in almost 8 inches of sand under sea anemone. Epitonium rugosumEpitonium(Elegantiscala) rugosum Kuroda & Ito, 1961 - Philippines, 73mm - one of the truly spectacular species of the family. Taken in tangle net in the central Philippines. Epitonium sp.Epitonium sp. - East Diamond Island, Coral Sea; 6mm - An unusual species with a corkscrew shape. Collection of Bret Raines.
Gyroscala statuminatumGyroscala statuminatum (Sowerby, 1844) - Pacific Panama, 16-20mm - recurved ribs. An uncommon intertidal Panamic species. Sthenorytis pernobilisSthenorytis pernobilis (Fischer & Bernardi, 1857) - Florida, 37mm - found from Florida through Brazil in relatively deep water. A number of specimens surfaced through dredging activities around the southern Gulf of Mexico in the 1960's and early 70's, but in recent years it is only seen in older collections. Sthenorytis turbinumSthenorytis turbinum (Dall, 1908) - Galapagos Islands, 56mm - one of the truly outstanding molluscan species. Few are represented in private collections. Trawled off Santa Cruz Island.