Monacha syriaca (Ehrenberg 1831)

shell depressed, with an elevated broad conical spire, basic shell colour deep brown to yellowish brown, usually with a white subsutural band and a second white band at the shell’s periphery; two protoconch whorls, smooth; teleoconch with a malleate sculpture (i.e. looks like markings of a small hammer) and very fine radial growth lines, surface with a glossy shine; last whorl rounded to slightly compressed forming a blunt shoulder; last whorl abruptly bent towards the aperture; aperture oval and depressed, reinforced by a strong white lip; apertural rim sharply bounded, usually deep red to brownish; umbilicus always closed by a small columellar callus. Measurements (figured specimens). Fig. 1: H = 6.26; D = 10.12; PH = 3.17; PD = 5.38. Fig. 2: H = 6.18; D = 11.12; PH = 3.59; PD = 6.11.

This species is found widespread along the coastal areas in Lebanon. It usually lives at lower altitudes, but can occasionally be found up to 1000 m in more sheltered areas such as in the bottom of deep valleys.