About Volvarina taeniolata Mörch, 1860
The shell of Volvarina taeniolata Mörch, 1860 reaches a maximum length of 9 mm and a diameter of 4 mm. This species was originally described under the synonym Volvarina californica parallela, and also as Marginella californica.
The shell generally resembles the California race of the Marginella species, but is consistently smaller. When the shell is not unicolored, the typical form has a faint narrow spiral brown band at the suture, followed by a pale band, a broad yellow-brown band, a narrower pale band, and a second broad brown band, with the remainder of the shell pale toward the anterior end. This described variety differs from the typical form in that its broad brown bands are instead represented by narrow dark brown paired lines with a faint brown tint between them, giving the shell a very different appearance from the type.
The shell is subcylindrical, smooth, vitreous and polished. It is yellowish white and marked with varied bands of chestnut. The spire is short and completely glazed over, and the shell contains 4½ whorls. The aperture is narrow and dilated toward the bottom. The columella is sinuous, obliquely truncate, and bears 4 fairly strong oblique plaits. The outer lip is thickened on the outside, and the suture is marked by a narrow white line.
This marine species is found off the coast of California.
