Roseaplagis caelatus is a species of small sea snail in the family Trochidae, the top shells.
Description
It is smaller than Cantharidus sanguineus (height: 5.5 mm, diameter 4.5 mm) but it is more deeply ribbed and its grooves are wider. The imperforate shell is more deeply ribbed, and the ribs narrower. They number 5 to 7 on the penultimate whorl, 15 to 16 on the body whorl. Sometimes they are obsoletely granose through being crossed by growth lines. The columella shows a slight swelling in the middle.
Distribution
This marine species is endemic to New Zealand and occurs off the Foveaux Straits; Port Pegasus, Stewart Island; Snares and Bounty Islands
Subspecies
The former subspecies have been named:
- Micrelenchus caelatus archibenthicola <small>Dell, 1956</small>: synonym of Cantharidus caelatus mortenseni <small>Powell, 1933</small>; synonym of Roseaplagis mortenseni <small>(Odhner, 1924)</small>
- Micrelenchus caelatus bakeri <small>Fleming, 1948</small>: synonym of Roseaplagis artizona <small>A. Adams, 1853 (Odhner, N.H.J., 1924)</small>
- Micrelenchus caelatus elongatus <small>(Suter, 1897)</small>: synonym of Cantharidus caelatus elongatus <small>(Suter, 1897)</small>; synonym of Roseaplagis artizona <small>A. Adams, 1853</small>
- Micrelenchus caelatus morioria <small>Powell, 1933</small>: synonym of Cantharidus caelatus mortenseni <small>Powell, 1933</small>; synonym of Roseaplagis mortenseni <small>(Odhner, 1924)</small>
- Micrelenchus caelatus mortenseni <small>(Odhner, 1924)</small>: synonym of Roseaplagis mortenseni <small>(Odhner, 1924)</small>
References