Alvania simulans: Only known from the western part of the Mediterranean and Sicily.

Alvania simulans: The length of seemingly full-grown shells varies from 1.3 to 1.7 mm. Fresh shells without periostracum are rather transparant and of a light yellowish brown color, with a white zone neer the aperture. There are brown spots just below the suture, about 8-10 per whorl. Below the periphety one or two additional spiral rows of small yellow spots can usuaily be seen on the body whorl. There are about seven to ten, usually rather weak, narrow and equidistant spiral ridges on the body whorl, nearly half of which are on the base of the shell. Often, these ridges are about equally strong, but in some shells the one at the periphery plus the one just above it are stronger than the remaining ones. Often, numerous fine, close-set, spiral striae may be seen between these ribs. There may be traces of longitudinal ribs, but if so, these are so weak that they cannot be observed with certainty. The shells are not very solid. There is no labial rib. Seen from aside, the aperture is slightly curved. Large specimens have about 4.0 whorls. There usually is no umbilical chink. The dimensions of the apex vary: d 0.11-0.13 mm; D 0.18-0.21 mm. Seen from aside in position 1, the nucleus is prominent and circumscribed by a rather deep suture. Seen from aside in position 2, the nucleus and first 1/4 whorl form a high segment of a sphere. At a magnification of 40X, about 10 equidistant, close-set spiral grooves can be seen on the protoconch.
Verduin, 1984.

Alvania simulans: Shell ovato-conic in outline, whorls convex, suture broad, not much strong, semitransparent. Typical sculpture on last whorl made by 7-10 spiral little cords quite prominent, equidistant, present at the base too. Sometimes there are two little cords more prominent at the periphery. The fine longitudinal sculpture, not always present among the spiral little cords, is seldom observable. Aperture roundish in form, columella arched, lip simple and without umbilical crack. Yellowish in colour pattern with maculae brown in colour placed below suture spirally and smaller and lighter ones in the median part and at the base of last whorl. Aperture is dirty white in colour. Protoconch is prominent and crossed by about 10 fine spiral striae. A rather similar species, Crisilla pseudocingulata, is larger in sizes, it is stronger, it has a different chromatic pattern, it has a spiral sculpture made by several and fine spiral striae and it has a different sculpture of protoconch. Average measures of adult specimens are around 1.5 mm in height.

Alvania simulans: Because the shells of A. simulans are (almost) devoid of axial ribs, the
species is very similar to some species of Setia.

Alvania simulans: Habitat: it lives on bottoms rich in algae (Cystoseira), in the infralittoral and circalittoral zones. Distribution: it can be found in the Western Mediterranean. More frequent along eastern Sicily coasts (Italy).