Vexillum kuiperi is a species of small sea snail, marine gastropod mollusk in the family Costellariidae, the ribbed miters.[2] This genus is not monophyletic, instead it contains 80% of costellariid diversity[3]

Vexillum kuiperi
Shell of Vexillum kuiperi (paratype at MNHN, Paris)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Family: Costellariidae
Genus: Vexillum
Species:
V. kuiperi
Binomial name
Vexillum kuiperi
Turner, 2006[1]

Description edit

The length of the shell attains 7 mm. The color of the shell is typically a reddish orange and cream striped shell. The Vexillum species produces a complex venoms dominated by highly diverified short cysteine-rich peptides, vexitoxins, related to conotoxins.

Distribution edit

This marine species occurs off Guam and New Caledonia. They are typically found in an aquatic environment, spcecifically in tropical and temperate seas.[3] These specimens are rare in Kwajalein. They are found under rocks or in caves at night. They are also found at seaward reefs at depths of 13-20cm. [4]

References edit

  1. ^ Turner. 2006. Basteria Supplement: Suppl 3 Pages: 89–95. World Register of Marine Species, Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  2. ^ Vexillum kuiperi Turner, 2006. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 24 April 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Genus Vexillum". iNaturalist. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Vexillum kuiperi Marshall Islands". www.underwaterkwaj.com. Retrieved 16 March 2024.