Georissa saulae (Van Benthem Jutting, 1966)
“Just as in the preceding species (H. scalinella), H. saulae bears spiral ridges of small scales. The spire is higher and the whorls are not so step-like.” (Benthem-Jutting, 1966)
Benthem-Jutting (1966) original descriptions on Hydrocena saulae – “Shell small, not very glossy and scarcely transparent, turbinate, with 4 rapidly increasing whorls, which are turreted but not so step-like as in H. scalinella, and the spire is somewhat more elevated. Upper whorls reddish, lower ones reddish-yellow. Embryonic whorl smooth, subsequent whorls elegantly ribbed by the growth lines and finely striated by the much weaker spiral striae. The carination of the periphery is accentuated by numerous white, triangular scales and, in some specimens, has two or three other rows of scales below it and parallel to it. The whorls are mostly convex, more rounded than in H. scalinella. Suture well marked, somewhat canaliculated in some specimens. Apex rounded, smooth, a little inflated; base at firt convex, then concave towards the umbilical region. Umbilicus closed by a polished callus which is narrower tha in H. scalinella. Aperture semicircular, oblique, interior yellow to yellowish-orange. Peristome not continuous; parietal side occupied by the umbilical callus; outer lip sharp, not reflected. Operculum semicircular, calcareous, light-yellow in colour; nucleus eccentric. From the internal surface a short, calcareous peg extends behind the parietal edge of the aperture.
Haase & Schilthuizen (2007) descriptions on Georissa saulae – “Shell clear, reddish-brown, conical, about 1.3 times higher than wide, whorls convex, stepped; columella only in body whorl, dissolved in upper whorls; protoconch globular, comprising 0.5 whorls, with meshed sculpture, clearly delimited against teleoconch; teleoconch comprising up to 2.75 whorls, with 3–6 spiral bands of nodes, which are most prominent at the periphery; aperture ovate, only slightly higher than wide, lip thin; umbilicus closed by columellar shield. Operculum and external features: as in G. filiasaulae new species. Digestive system: radula long reaching backwards over proximal third of style sac, rhipidoglossate without short, thick duct entering female gland mass distal to oviduct; female gland mass macroscopically with two glandular portions, anterior third white, posterior portion yellow, histologically each portion consisting of three differently staining glandular sections; genital opening at anterior end of female gland mass.”
Hydrocena saulae – “Dimensions: Height 1.8-2.0; Maximum diameter 1.4-1.5; Height of aperture 0.7-0.8 mm.” (Benthem-Jutting, 1966)