Pseudorhaphitoma stipendiarii

Pseudorhaphitoma stipendiarii is a small sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Mangeliidae.^[1]

The length of the shell varies between 5.5 mm and 7.5 mm.

The shell of Pseudorhaphitoma stipendiarii is relatively small, with lengths varying between 5.5 mm and 7.5 mm [1]. Like other species within the genus Pseudorhaphitoma, it is characterized by a claviform (club-shaped) shell, typically monochrome brown or white, with a high spire [3].

General characteristics for the genus Pseudorhaphitoma that likely apply to P. stipendiarii include:

• Whorls: The shell typically contains 6 to 7 whorls [3].
• Axial Ribs: Prominent and continuous axial ribs cross the shell [3].
• Spiral Lirae: These axial ribs are regularly crossed by numerous, fine spiral lirae (fine ridges), which can produce a granular or plicate (folded) texture [3].
• Aperture: The aperture (opening) measures approximately one-third of the total shell length [3].
• Siphonal Canal: The siphonal canal, a tubular extension of the aperture, is narrow and shallow, with a weak notch [3].
• Outer Lip: The sharp outer lip is often denticulate (toothed) on the inside, usually featuring a particularly strong tooth situated close to the anal sinus [3].
• Anal Sinus: The anal sinus, a notch or indentation near the top of the outer lip, is typically well-cut and moderately deep [3].
• Columella: The columella (the central axis of the shell) may occasionally bear one or two denticles [3].

Kilburn's 1993 study, which included the description of P. stipendiarii, provided wide diagnostic information for species within the genus distributed along the southern African and Mozambique coasts, along with notes and photographs for other Indo-West Pacific species [4].

Pseudorhaphitoma stipendiarii is a marine species found off the coasts of Zululand, South Africa, and Zanzibar [1]. This distribution places it within the warm waters of the Indo-West Pacific biogeographic region, an area known for its high marine biodiversity.

Specific details regarding its preferred habitat depth are not extensively documented in readily available sources, but other species within the genus Pseudorhaphitoma are known to occur in subtidal environments, ranging from low tide levels to depths of around 55 meters [3]. It is likely that P. stipendiarii inhabits similar sandy or muddy substrates in tropical or subtropical coastal waters.

The genus Pseudorhaphitoma itself was established by O. Boettger in 1895. The type species for the genus is Mangelia fairbanki G. Nevill & H. Nevill, 1875 [5]. The family Mangeliidae is part of the diverse superfamily Conoidea, which comprises a large group of predatory marine gastropods, many of which are known for their venomous harpoon-like radular teeth. However, specific details about the feeding habits or venom of P. stipendiarii are not widely published.

This marine genus occurs off Zululand, South Africa and Zanzibar.

• R.N. Kilburn, Turridae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) of southern Africa and Mozambique. Part 7. Subfamily Mangeliinae, section 2; Annals of the Natal Museum 34, pp 317 - 367 (1993)
• [1] Pseudorhaphitoma stipendiarii - Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2025, from
• [2] WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Pseudorhaphitoma stipendiarii Kilburn, 1993. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2025, from http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=434803
• [3] Pseudorhaphitoma - Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudorhaphitoma
• [4] A new alien gastropod Pseudorhaphitoma iodolabiata (Hornung & Mermod, 1928) (Mangeliidae, Mollusca) in the Mediterranean Sea - ResearchGate. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290395354_A_new_alien_gastropod_Pseudorhaphitoma_iodolabiata_Hornung_Mermod_1928_Mangeliidae_Mollusca_in_the_Mediterranean_Sea/fulltext/54733d170cf24bc8ea19e040/A-new-alien-gastropod-Pseudorhaphitoma-iodolabiata-Hornung-Mermod-1928-Mangeliidae-Mollusca-in-the-Mediterranean-Sea.pdf
• [5] WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Pseudorhaphitoma O. Boettger, 1895. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2025, from http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=432540

• Tucker, J.K. (2004). "Catalog of recent and fossil turrids (Mollusca: Gastropoda)" (PDF). Zootaxa. 682: 1–1295.
• "Pseudorhaphitoma stipendiarii". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 16 January 2019.