Overview
Description: Shell longer than wide, whorls rounded, spire higher or shorter than aperture. Some specimens (as illustrated here) with long spike on tip of spire. Whorls smooth and shiny. Aperture long and narrow, smooth within, base with shallow, broad notch.
Colour: Uniform orange, or (rarely) white.
Size: Adults (with thickened lip) 90-170 mm high
Comparison of similar species living within its distribution/depth range: all other volute species from New Zealand have plaits within the aperture.
Distribution: Eastern North and South islands, Chatham Rise, Snares Shelf and Campbell Plateau.
Depth: Living at 248-918 m on mud.
Note: This species is referred to the genus Provocator by some authors, but unlike Iredalina, Provocator is characterised by strong plaits within the aperture.
References/more information:
Bail, P. & Limpus, A. (2006) The Recent volutes of New Zealand, with a revision of the genus Alcithoe H. & A. Adams, 1853. A conchological iconography. Conchbooks, Hackenheim (p. 64).