Abbott describes P. obesa as 4-7 mm, moderately wide,

dull-grayish with 1-2 subdued, spiral brown bands in some

specimens. Small, sharp axial ribs with spiral incised lines

not crossing the ribs. There is a fairly strong, occasionally

knobbed, subsutural spiral cord. Mature shells have a large,

smooth and rounded varix on dorsum of the lip. Body whorl

just behind varix has a smooth spot. Inside of lip with 3-5 small

teeth. Radwin notes that the whorls of P. obesa are barely

convex, the columella is also minutely dentriculate, shell

surface is glossy with a thin brown periostracum, and color

pattern is ivory with brown markings and sometimes having

isolated spots on the apertural lip, some forms in which the

entire shell is purplish-brown. Radwin contradicts Abbott when

he indicates the axial ribs are crossed by strong spiral cords.

In my experience, Abbott's characterization of "spiral incised

lines not crossing the ribs" is more accurate. Radwin's "strong

spiral cords" are more characteristic of P. ostreicola, which he                  Palm Beach Inlet Lagoon, Palm Beach Co., FL. 5 mm

describes as having a reticulate sculpture.                                                                 Photos by Marlo F. Krisberg                                    
 

 

 

 

 

I have found living populations of P. obesa on both sides of

Florida, but not in the Keys. As indicated by Radwin, P. obesa

appears to be found in sandy or sand and grass habitats and

is not found in association with oysters.

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                                                                                                                              Sebastian Inlet Lagoon, Indian River Co., FL.  5.2 mm

                                                                                                                                              Photos by Marlo F. Krisberg 

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The adjacent image portrays the "fairly strong, occasionally

knobbed, subsutural spiral cord," " large, smooth and

rounded varix on dorsum of the lip," smooth spot just

behind the varix, and the "thin brown periostracum."

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           Blind Pass Inlet, Pinellas Co., FL. 4.5 mm

                                                                                                                                                                       Photo by Marlo F. Krisberg

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The adjacent image is an attempt to highlight the

dentriculation on both the inside of the outer lip and

the columella.

 

 

 

 

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                                                                                                                                                                     Sebastian Inlet Lagoon, Indian River Co., FL.

                                                                                                                                                                                 Photo by Marlo F. Krisberg

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                                                                                   Closeup of the protoconch.

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Palm Beach Inlet Lagoon, Palm Beach Co., FL. 5 mm

                  Photo by Marlo F. Krisberg