Mitra papalis


Mitra papalis, common name the Papal/Pontifical Mitre, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Mitridae, the miters.

Distribution

This marine species is present in India and in the western Indo-Pacific.

Habitat

These sea snails live on coral reefs and under rocks, from the intertidal zone to a depth of about 30 m.

Description

Shells of Mitra papalis can reach a length of about. The form of these large shells is similar to a Papal mitre. They are elongate to ovate, fusiform and smooth but without axial streaks on the surface. Sutural coronations are present. The aperture is moderately wide, smooth within. The shell surface is white, with small white nodules under sutures and with several rows of irregular bright red-orange or purplish blotches.
This species is quite similar to Mitra stictica, but its body form is longer, with more adpressed sutures and wider nodules.