[wei]

Attached is a picture of a Cuspivolva . I'm uncertain about the species, but could be related to cuspis, allynsmithi, or howlandae. 7.5mm. Would appreciate any help. Thanks.

[felix]

This is Cuspivolva ostheimerae, which itself is very close to howlandae but has coarser ribbing. The animal resembles cuspis. A difficult group...

[wei]

Thanks for the suggestion

[wei]

I found these Cuspivolva at the same spot as the ostheimerae above. However, their variation in colour and shell outline confuses me.

This larger specimen is 8.0mm in length. A photograph of the living animal is attached here.



The smaller specimen is 7.3mm in length.


Both were found on similar looking gorgonian hosts, and had similar looking animals. The stronger elongated rhomboid shape in the larger specimen seems to point to cuspis or related species, but the broadly spaced striation is consistent with ostheimerae. Are they both variations of ostheimerae as well?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions on the identification of the species.

[felix]

That is the true Cuspivolva singularis

[wei]

Thanks!

[wei]

Recently, I came across another animal. Upon inspection, I found that the dorsal striation is finer. The animal and host are the same as those found earlier (see above).



The ovulid book separates C. bellica and C. singularis by the latter's more 'distant dorsal striae', denticulation mostly in the posterior third of the labrum, and colour among other conchological factors.

The animals represented by these 3 live taken specimens so far seem to show varying degrees of striation, degree of denticulation, but similar colourations. Should all of them be considered the same species, and if so, perhaps C. bellica and C. singularis belong to the same species that has a variable density of striation and denticulation?