Variegate Amphissa

Amphissa versicolor

Variegate Amphissa is a small sea snail characterized by its elongated spiral shell, which can reach lengths of up to 13 millimetres. The shell typically features around five whorls, with the body whorl comprising two-thirds of its total length. It is adorned with strong, sinuous ribs and thread-like lines that create a network of markings. The color of the shell is highly variable, ranging from pink and salmon to bluish purple, brown, and white, often with intricate patterns of lines, patches, or dots. This variability can help divers identify the species among similar snails. This species is native to the Eastern Pacific, found along the coasts from the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia to Rompiente Point in northern Baja California Sur. Variegate Amphissa inhabits environments from the low intertidal zone to depths of approximately 46 metres, although most occurrences are recorded shallower than 40 metres. It thrives in various habitats, including rocky areas and sandy bottoms. Variegate Amphissa is a non-broadcast spawner, and its life cycle does not include a trocophore stage. When encountered during a dive, divers may observe these snails grazing on organic matter in their benthic habitats. While the conservation status of this species is not evaluated, it is commonly found in its native range.