Rhinoclavis alexandri (Tomlin 1923)

Cerithium alexandri Tomlin, 1923

Cerithium alexandri Tomlin, 1923:48, 52, fig. 1 [lectotype herein selected: BMNH 192310263; type locality: Scottburgh, Natal, 32.3 mm × 10.4 mm].—Barnard. 1963:133–134, fig. 26a.—Kensley, 1973:79, fig. 264.

DESCRIPTION.—Shell (Figure 12): Shell tall, large, reaching 37.5 mm length, 11.6 mm width, and comprising 14 or 15 moderately inflated, occasionally medially concave, solid whorls. Protoconch unknown. Early whorls with strong spiral striae and axial ribs. Teleoconch whorls sculptured with fine spiral striae crossed by broad, rounded, sinuous, colabral, pre-and postsuturally strongly plicate axial ribs. Suture lightly impressed, distinct, markedly wavy. Body whorl wide, with thick, varix-like axial rib opposite outer lip of aperture. Body whorl weakly sculptured except for postsutural axial plicae and many fine spiral striae; base of body whorl somewhat flattened, sculptured with many fine spiral striae. Aperture ovate-circular, a little over one-fourth the shell length. Columella concave, without callus. Anterior canal moderately short, tightly closed, reflected to left of shell axis. Anal canal deep, well developed, defined by prominent parietal plait extending well within aperture. Outer lip convex, smooth, slightly pendant anteriorly, somewhat thickened posteriorly, with internal thickening opposite parietal plait. Shell color white with numerous, orange-brown, narrow, continuous, spiral bands or spiral rows of squarish dots. Bands and dots sometimes lacking or replaced by brownish axial flammules. Periostracum, operculum unknown.

Radula: Unknown.

Anatomy: Unknown.

DISTRIBUTION.—Endemic to the eastern coast of South Africa.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—EAST AFRICA: Palm Beach, S coast of Natal, South Africa (NM 6669); Scottburgh, Natal, South Africa (BMNH 1923102263, lectotype); ex pisce, off Durban, Natal, South Africa (NM B502).

LITERATURE CITATIONS.—RV Pieter Faure, 81 m, off Cape Morgan; RV Pieter Faure, 77.4 m, off Rame Head, S of Port St Johns (both SAM, Barnard, 1963:133).

Rhinoclavis alexandri is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cerithiidae.