Cymbiola oblita

Cymbiola oblita
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Family: Volutidae
Genus: Cymbiola
Species:
C. oblita
Binomial name
Cymbiola oblita
(E. A. Smith, 1909)
Synonyms
  • Cymbiola (Cymbiola) nivosa oblita (E. A. Smith, 1909)
  • Cymbiola nivosa oblita (E. A. Smith, 1909) superseded rank
  • Voluta oblita E. A. Smith, 1909 superseded combination

Cymbiola oblita is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Volutidae, the volutes.[1]

Description

(Original description) Although closely related to Cymbiola nivosa (Lamarck, 1804), this species can be distinguished by its overall coloration, its generally shorter form, and the more pronounced, spiny coronation on its whorls. Additionally, the lines on its transverse bands are much less distinct and typically less wavy. Unlike C. nivosa, the spaces between these banded zones feature a mottled pattern of brown or olive markings.

If we were to classify this shell merely as a variety of C. nivosa, consistency would require us to also group it with Cymbiola sophia (Gray, 1846). Aside from its rows of black spots and white columellar folds, C sophia lacks any distinguishing features from the present species. Nevertheless, based on the series of specimens examined, these three forms are almost always easily distinguishable and occupy distinct geographical ranges. It is worth noting, however, that a short, coronated variety of C. nivosa closely resembles certain forms of C. oblita.[2]

Distribution

This marine species is endemic to Australia and occurs off Western Australia.[3]

References

  1. ^ Cymbiola oblita (E. A. Smith, 1909). Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species.
  2. ^ Smith, E.A. (1909). "Notes on Voluta norrisii, V. piperata, V. sophia, and description of a new species". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 8 (4): 96. Retrieved 24 February 2026. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ Australian faunal Directory: distribution
  • Bail, P. & Limpus, A. 1997. The genus Cymbiola Swainson, 1831 in Western Australia. World Shells 21-22: 5-17 [
  • Bail, P. & Limpus, A. 2014. A new species of Cymbiola (Gastropoda: Volutidae) from Western Australia. Xenophora. Association française de conchyliologie. Supplément 2(22–27)
  • Wilson, B. 1994. Australian marine shells. Prosobranch gastropods. Kallaroo, WA : Odyssey Publishing Vol. 2 370 pp.
  • Wilson, B.R. & Gillett, K. 1971. Australian shells: illustrating and describing 600 species of marine gastropods found in Australian waters. Sydney : Reed Books 168 pp.