Species description: This gastropod has a spiral-shaped shell which is yellow, off white, grey or buff in colour, with an orange to yellow coloured operculum. There can be up to 8 swollen whorls and the shell is covered in broad vertical ribs and fine spiral ridges with a sharply pointed apex. The opening of the shell is oval with thick outer lips (mature animals) and a short, open siphonal canal. It grows to around 4 cm x 2 cm.

Habitat: Associated with oysters and mussel beds. Found from low water down to around 12 m.

Distribution: Most records from Britain and Ireland are on south coast of England, however it was recently reported from Belfast Lough.

Similar Species: Could be confused with our native Ocenebra erinaceus, however U. cinerea although covered in ribs and ridges lacks the rough sculpturing of O. erinaceus, and has a wider shell. It also lacks the closed canal present in older O. erinaceus, with the canal remaining open even in mature animals.

Key Identification Features:

• Spiral-shaped shell with broad vertical ribs and fine ridges.
• Short, open siphonal canal.

Distribution Map from NBN: Urosalpinx cinerea at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Urosalpinx cinerea at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Urosalpinx cinerea at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Urosalpinx cinerea (Say, 1822). AphiaID: 140429.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Caenogastropoda; Neogastropoda; Muricoidea; Muricidae; Ocenebrinae; Urosalpinx