Quasimitra structilis is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk, in the family Mitridae, the miters or miter snails.MolluscaBase (2018). Quasimitra structilis (Herrmann & Salisbury, 2013). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1060516 on 2019-01-04
Description
External Shell and Structure The length of the shell attains 14 mm. The shell is fusiform and has a high spire and a short siphonal canal. Photos of Q. structilis specimens show one gently rounded large body whorl with approximately 6 slightly convex whorls comprising the conical spire of the shell. Between whorls there is an abrupt suture. The shell is primarily a rust orange color with axial bands of inconsistent cuboid white beads. The whorls of the protoconch are almost entirely white. 3-4 columellar folds are visible through the aperture opening. The aperture is lanceolate, coming to a point at the anal sulcus.
Live Snail Miter snails possess a rachiglossate (having three denticles) radula, which is used for acquiring prey. They also have an elongated proboscis and a large foot.
Distribution and Habitat This marine species occurs off the Austral Islands, French Polynesia. The depth of only one specimen is documented, at around 925 meters below the surface. Q. structilis is a marine benthic species.
Life Habits
Diet Q. structilis is a predator.
Reproduction This species reproduces sexually.
Locomotion Q. structilis moves by mucus mediated gliding.
References
Herrmann M. & Salisbury R.A. (2013) Three new Mitridae (Gastropoda) from French Polynesia with a new record for Mitra cernohorskyi (Rehder & Wilson, 1975). Conchylia 44(1-2): 31-43.
External links Fedosov A., Puillandre N., Herrmann M., Kantor Yu., Oliverio M., Dgebuadze P., Modica M.V. & Bouchet P. (2018). The collapse of Mitra: molecular systematics and morphology of the Mitridae (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 183(2): 253-337