Monotygma lauta

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Monotygma lauta is a small sea snail in the Pyramidellidae family. It was first described by A. Adams in 1853. Synonyms include Monoptygma lauta and Monotigma lauta.

Description:
The shell is about 7 mm long, milky white, and stout with an elongated-conic shape. The initial whorls (the protoconch) are small and mostly hidden in the next whorl. The main part of the shell (the teleoconch) has about 6¾ inflated, strongly shouldered whorls that are rounded. The surface features many weak axial riblets and very strong broad, angular, incised spiral channels, crossed by additional axial riblets. Between the sutures there are several incised channels: five between the second and third whorls, six between the fourth and fifth. The base and periphery are well rounded and have six spiral channels. The opening (aperture) is suboval and relatively large; the posterior angle is obtuse. The outer lip is thin and denticulate. The columella is moderately strong, a bit twisted, with a small oblique fold near its insertion. The parietal wall has a faint callus.

Distribution:
This species occurs off Japan and has also been found as a migrant in the Mediterranean Sea.