MolluscaBase name details
original description
(of Natica pulchella Risso, 1826) Risso, A. (1826-1827). Histoire naturelle des principales productions de l'Europe Méridionale et particulièrement de celles des environs de Nice et des Alpes Maritimes. <em>[book series].</em> 400 pp., 13 pls. [volumes 1-5. Paris, F.G. Levrault. vol. 3. Mammifères. Oiseaux. Poissons / vol. 4. Mollusques. Annélides / vol. 5. Crustacés. Myriapodes, scorpionides, arachnides et acarides. Insectes. Vers intestinaux. Radiaires. Zoophytes]., available online at http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/58984 [details]
context source (Deepsea)
Census of Marine Life (2012). SYNDEEP: Towards a first global synthesis of biodiversity, biogeography and ecosystem function in the deep sea. Unpublished data (datasetID: 39), available online at http://www.comlsecretariat.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/SYNDEEP-Towards-a-first-global-synthesis-of-biodiversity-biogeography-and-ecosystem-function-in-the-deep-sea-Eva-Ramirez-Llodra-et-al..pdf [details]
basis of record
Howson, C.M. & B.E. Picton. (1997). The species directory of the marine fauna and flora of the British Isles and surrounding seas. <em>Ulster Museum Publication, 276. The Ulster Museum: Belfast, UK. ISBN 0-948150-06-8.</em> vi, 508 (+ cd-rom) pp. (look up in IMIS) [details] Available for editors [request]
From other sources
Biology P. pulchellus is a predator. It attacks its prey, mainly bivalve molluscs, in the sediment, breaking through the shell using its radula (Eisma, 1966; Ziegelmeier, 1966). [details]
Distribution P. pulchellus occurs in the whole area, but is relatively abundant along the coast and south of the Frisian Front, where maximum biomass values were observed. [details]
Habitat P. pulchellus lives in a variety of habitats. lt is found on muddy, sandy as well as gravel deposits (Ziegelmeier, 1966; Entrop, 1976; Hayward & Ryland, 1990). [details]
Morphology This gastropod has a glossy, globose shell with six or seven slightly tumid whorls. lt measures up to 16 mm in height. The shell is sculptured with numerous fine growth lines, but appears smooth to the naked eye. lt is buff or light horn-coloured, with the columella and the base paler. The body whorl is decorated with five spiral rows of brown rnarks (Hayward & Ryland, 1990). [details]
Synonymy Holtmann et al. (1996) refer it to Lunatia alderi Forbes, 1838. [details]