Southwest Florida Shells

by José H. Leal

Family Muricidae

Vokesinotus perrugatus

(Conrad, 1846)

Gulf Oyster Drill

Shell size to 28 mm; shell thick, whorls with rounded shoulders. Sculpture of 6-9 axial ribs, six to nine on last whorl, crossed by spiral cords. Outer lip thick, with weak teeth. Color light-gray. Aperture color rose or tan. The egg cases are elliptical, with a small stalk. Larvae exit through a tiny spout-like opening. The photo of the live specimen was taken by Amy Tripp on Kice Island, Collier Co., in April 2010.