Bullina oblonga
Sowerby, 1897

Order: CEPHALASPIDEA
Superfamily: ACTEONOIDEA
Family: Bullinidae

DISTRIBUTION

Eastern South Africa

PHOTO

Aliwal Shoal, Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 15m, July 2000. Size: 12mm. Photo: Valda Fraser.

RELATED TOPIC

Bullina lineata

I know nothing of this species. The only reference I can find is:
"An even rarer [than B. lineata], endemic species, Bullina oblonga Sowerby, 1897, occasionally washes up between Port Alfred and the north coast of Natal. It is more elongate, with a higher spire, finer spiral sculpture and a colour pattern of numerous fine, axial, brownish-red lines, which are strengthened in places so that they also form two diffuse spiral zones: base with a spiral band of brownish-red." ... Kilburn & Rippey, 1982. Sea Shells of Southern Africa.

Reference:
• Sowerby, G.B. (3rd). (1897). Marine Shells of South Africa. Sowerby, London. Appendix, pp. 1-42

Related messages


Bullina oblonga from South Africa

August 11, 2001
From: Valda Fraser

Dear Bill,
I think this one belongs to the Hydatinidae family, but I can't find it in my books. Please help.

Locality: Aliwal Shoal, Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal, SOUTH AFRICA, 15m
Date: July 2000
Size: 12mm

Regards,
Valda Fraser

valdafraser@mweb.co.za

Fraser, V., 2001 (Aug 11) Bullina oblonga from South Africa. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4423

Dear Valda,
This is an interesting find. I identified it earlier for Ernest Seamark as Bullina oblonga which is apparently endemic to Sth Africa. I certainly don't know of a Bullina from anywhere else with so many axial lines.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Aug 11). Comment on Bullina oblonga from South Africa by Valda Fraser. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4423

Bullina oblonga from South Africa

July 14, 1999
From: Ernest C.J. Seamark

This rare species was collected on two occasions from Treasure Beach, South Africa- 4 Nov 1997, 31 Dec 1998. It may be a seasonal visitor to TB.

[Treasure Beach is in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.]

Ernest Seamark.

kearneyt@biology.und.ac.za

Seamark, E.C.J., 1999 (Jul 14) Bullina oblonga from South Africa. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1045

Dear Ernest,
I am unfamiliar with this species. It looks quite like Bullina lineata but the head shield seems more elaborate, but proportionally smaller, in B. oblonga. The colour markings on the shell are also different. It would be interesting to know something of its anatomy.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (Jul 14). Comment on Bullina oblonga from South Africa by Ernest C.J. Seamark. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1045