Jujubinus miliaris

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Submitted by Steve Wilkinson on Sat, 05/12/2009 22:15

Conical shell up to 12mm in height with seven to eight whorls. The colour is white marked with brown and purple spots. Shell surface is sculptured with 5 to 6 spiral ridges which are broken into granulations by numerous oblique lines. The animal possesses three pairs of epipodal tentacles.

Key identification features

Conical shell with flat sides and a pointed apex
Breadth approximately equal to height
Shells spiral ridges are crossed by transverse ridges giving a reticulated pattern

Similar species

Calliostoma granulatum has sides which are slightly concave
Calliostoma zizyphinum spiral ridges on the last whorl are not beaded

Ecology and behaviour

Lives on stoney or gravelly bottoms.

Distribution and status

Occasional

Occurs from northern Norway south to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean.