Shell small for the genus, fragile, globose, whorls rounded, suture descending on the later whorls, color opaque yellowish-white. Nucleus of 1.5 smooth, glossy, un-sculptured whorls with deeply impressed sutures. Postnuclear whorls 3.5, the selenizone arising about 1/3 of a whorl beyond the first appearance of axial sculpture. The fine, evenly spaced axial ridges on the upper half of the whorl are curved protraetively and remain stronger than the fine spiral ribs that become apparent on the final 2 whorls. Selenizone at periphery, open about 1/5 the circumference, edges sharp, slightly raised. On the base the axial and spiral sculpture are nearly equal in strength, but the spiral cords are more broadly spaced, producing rectangular cancellations in a radiating pattern. Umbilicus narrow, deep, partially obscured by a slight reflection of the inner lip. Aperture circular, peritreme nearly complete. Height, 2.0, diameter, 2.0 mm.

In proportions Scissurella keenae resembles the wide ranging north boreal species S. crispata Fleming, 1832, but reaches only about 1/3 the size of that species. The latter species is known to range south to Cedros Island, outer coast of Baja California, at depths of 500-1000 fathoms. Scissurella keenae is evidently a fairly common species on mud bottoms in the Gulf of California at depths of 40-100 fathoms. It is a pleasure to dedicate this species to Dr. Myra Keen.

Type Locality: Off northwest side, Angel de laGuarda [Guardia] Island, Gulf of California, Mexico, 29° 32' N, 113° 38' W, 46 fathoms, R/V Velero HI bottom sample station 2033, 20 March 1937, 8 specimens, 2 of which are mature.
Type Material: Holotype, LACM-AHF 1372, 6 paratypes, LACM-AHF 1373; 1 paratype, USNM.
Referred Material: Additional specimens are represented in AHF bottom sample stations from the Gulf of California as follows: 275, off Raza Island, 40 fathoms, 6 specimens; 2005, San Jaime Bank, west of Cape San Lucas, Baja California, 75 fathoms, 1 specimen; 2010, Inner Gorda Bank, off Cape San Lucas, 80 fathoms, 3 specimens.