Variegated Topshell

Oxystele variegata, common name the variegated topshell, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Trochidae, the top snails.^[1]

Description

The size of the shell varies between 15 mm and 20 mm.

Distribution

This marine species occurs off the southern coast of South Africa, from Namibia to North Transkei.

References

• Steyn, D.G. & Lussi, M. (1998) Marine Shells of South Africa. An Illustrated Collector’s Guide to Beached Shells. Ekogilde Publishers, Hartebeespoort, South Africa, ii + 264 pp. page(s): 24
• Branch, G.M. et al. (2002). Two Oceans. 5th impression. David Philip, Cate Town & Johannesburg.
• Donald K.M., Kennedy M. & Spencer H.G. (2005) The phylogeny and taxonomy of austral monodontine topshells (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Trochidae), inferred from DNA sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 37: 474–483.