About Phorcus articulatus (Lamarck, 1822)
The shell of Phorcus articulatus has a height ranging between 15 mm and 28 mm, and a diameter ranging between 21 mm and 24 mm. Adult shells are imperforate, while immature shells are generally perforate. The shell is heavy, thick, and has an elongate-conical shape. Its base color is ash-gray, greenish, or whitish, and it is crossed spirally by bands made up of alternating white and black, purplish, or red squarish spots. The spaces between the bands are marked with fine, closely spaced longitudinal blackish lines. The spire is elevated, and the shell contains roughly 6 whorls. The upper whorls are slightly convex; the final whorl is generally constricted and concave below the suture, and becomes convex further down. The impressed spiral grooves or lines match those found on Phorcus turbinatus in young Phorcus articulatus, but generally become indistinct in adult specimens. The aperture has the same shape as the aperture of Phorcus turbinatus, but is smaller and less oblique. This species is found in European waters within the ERMS scope, and within the Greek, Portuguese, and Spanish Exclusive Economic Zones.
