Kermia subcylindrica
Kermia subcylindrica is a tiny sea snail in the family Raphitomidae. The shell grows to about 6 mm long and 2.25 mm wide. It has a tall, narrow, almost cylindrical shape and is mostly crystal white and translucent, with a pale fawn area and yellow-red bands on about two-thirds of the whorls.
The shell has seven whorls. The first two (the protoconch) are white and smooth. The next whorls are more convex, with angular tops, becoming rounder toward the last whorl. The surface shows diagonal ribs crossed by many fine spiral cords, forming a delicate lattice pattern.
The body whorl is the largest part, taking up more than half of the shell’s length. It’s elongated and slightly rounded at the top, with a smooth, white interior aperture. The outer lip is curved and becomes sharply angular toward the base, and the sinus is located where a thick rib meets the lip.
The opening (aperture) is elongated; the siphonal canal is curved, giving the opening a sinuous look. The columella is nearly straight with a small shiny bump near the top.
This species lives in the Pacific Ocean, off the Loyalty Islands and Mactan Island in the Philippines. It was described by Hervier in 1897. Synonyms include Clathurella subcylindrica and Defrancia subcylindrica.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 12:51 (CET).