Carinaria cithara Benson 1835

Introduction

Two morphological features, eye and shell shape, distinguish Carinara cithara from the other species in the genus. In side profile the shell is tall and narrow, and in adults it has the greatest height to basal length ratio (2.0 or higher) of all Carinaria. The shape of the eye, when viewed dorsally, is cylindrical due to the narrow retinal base that is only slightly wider than the lens. In all other species in the genus the eye shape is triangular because the retinal base is much wider than the lens. The protoconch of the shell is prominently located at the top of the shell and has a distinctive pattern of spiral sculpture on the second whorl. The tail is large, with a low dorsal crest.

Brief Diagnosis

A species of Carinaria with:

• Body length to 50 mm
• Shell shape, viewed from the side, is tall and narrow (height to basal length ratio ≥ 2.0)
• Protoconch positioned dorsally on shell apex, with spiral sculpture on second whorl
  
• Shell keel moderately low and uniform in height
  
• Tail large with a low doral crest

Characteristics

1. Body morphology
   1. Body shape cylindrical; transition from proboscis to trunk to anterior part of tail not strongly demarcated
   2. Eyes cylindrical in dorsal view, with retinal base only slightly wider than the lens
   3. Tail relatively large, with a low dorsal crest
      
      

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      Figure. Drawing of young Carinaria cithara, from the left side. From the low height to basal length ratio of the shell, this is presumably a young individual. © J. A. McGowan

2. Shell morphology
   1. Shell laterally compressed and tall; height to basal length ratio ≥ 2.0 (in large animals, see right side of first figure below). In small animals, the ratio may approach 1.0 (see second figure below)
   2. Apical region dorsal on shell; protoconch (larval shell) about 1.0 mm diameter; second whorl with spiral ridges (see left side of first figure below)
   

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   Figure. Shell of Carinaria cithara. Left: adult shell from right side. Right: apical region of same shell. © J. J. Tesch

   

   Figure. Shell of young Carinaria cithara, viewed from right side. © J. A. McGowan

References

Okutani, T. 1961. Notes on the genus Carinaria (Heteropoda) from Japanese and adjacent waters. Bulletin of the Seto Marine Biological Laboratory 9: 333-352

Spoel, S. van der. 1976. Pseudothecosomata, Gymnosomata and Heteropoda (Gastropoda). Bohn, Scheltema and Holkema: Utrecht. 484 pp.

Tesch, J. J. 1906. Die Heteropoden der Siboga Expedition. Monographie 51, 112 pp. and 14 plates.

Tesch, J. J. 1949. Heteropoda. Dana Rept. No. 34. 53 pp.