Epitonium costulatum (Kiener, 1838)
Epitoniidae
Found associated with: Ctenactis crassa, C. echinata, Herpolitha limax.



Photograph by: B.W. Hoeksema

Description (Gittenberger et al, 2000):
Shell: Shell fragile to very fragile, moderately elongate-conical, creamy white, reaching 41 mm in length. Length/width 1.6-1.9-2.2. Protoconch whorls 3 3/8; maximum protoconch 1 diameter 0.14 (n=2). Protoconch with numerous fine, incised, axial lines. Teleoconch whorls up to 10, separated by very deep (fenestrate) suture. Successive whorls are almost detached. Teleoconch with evenly spaced, orthocline, thin costae, damaged in all examined specimens. Over most of their length, costae appear to be curved abaperturally at outer margin. Costae adapically relatively high and erect, not coronate, becoming short toward columella. Costae mostly continuous, but touching only slightly those of adjoining whorls. Very weak spiral lines present. Fifth teleoconch whorl with 16-18.4-26 costae. Aperture subcircular. Apertural length/shell length 0.3. Umbilicus moderately wide. Egg-capsules embedded with sand, closely connected along a straight, longitudinally striated, mucous thread. One egg-capsule contains 70-175-335 eggs.