Articulate Phos Shell, Phos articulatus

Articulate Phos Shell, Metaphos articulatus. Shell provided by the commercial fishermen of the greater Los Cabos area, Baja California Sur, May 2009. Size: 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) x 1.6 cm (0.6 inches), November 2012.

The Articulate Phos, Metaphos articulatus (Hinds, 1844), is a gastropod mollusk that is a member of the Nassariidae Family of Muds. The shells are strong and moderate in size that consist of about six to seven convex whorls with high spires and a moderately sized aperture with a crenulated (notched with small ridges) outer lip. There is considerable variation in shape and sculpture within the species. They are marked with fine spiral lines and the length-wise ridges may be strong or weak. The exterior of the shells is white with brown blotches. Articulate Phos Shells reach a maximum of 4.6 cm (1.8 inches) in length and 1.9 cm (0.7 inches) in height.

Articulate Phos live in muddy substrates at depths between 30 m (100 feet) and 230 m (760 feet). They are found in the Sea of Cortez from Santa Rosalíia, Baja California Sur to Peru. They are not documented from the West Coast of the Baja Peninsula.

A synonym is Phos articulatus.