Aspa marginata is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Bursidae, the frog shells.[1][2]
Description
Shells of Aspa marginata can reach a size of 20–40 millimetres (0.79–1.57 in).[3] These shells are quite thick, beige in color, with a smooth surface, a deep siphonal canal and a short spire.
Distribution
This marine species occurs in Western Africa, Senegal and Canary Islands.[3][2]
Fossil shell of
Aspa marginata from the
Pliocene of Italy
Fossil records
This genus is known in the fossil records from the Miocene of Italy and France to the Quaternary of Namibia and Spain (age range: from 15.97 to 0.781 million years ago).[4]
Cultural aspects
The fossilized shells have been valued by humans and Neanderthals.[5]
Bibliography
- Bernard, P.A. (Ed.) (1984). Coquillages du Gabon [Shells of Gabon]. Pierre A. Bernard: Libreville, Gabon. 140, 75 plates
- Gofas, S.; Afonso, J.P.; Brandào, M. (Ed.). (S.a.). Conchas e Moluscos de Angola = Coquillages et Mollusques d'Angola. [Shells and molluscs of Angola]. Universidade Agostinho / Elf Aquitaine Angola: Angola. 140 pp.
- Gofas, S.; Le Renard, J.; Bouchet, P. (2001). Mollusca, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 180–213
- Rolán E., 2005. Malacological Fauna From The Cape Verde Archipelago. Part 1, Polyplacophora and Gastropoda.
References
