Shell globose as usual for the genus, rather small in size. Smooth and dome-shaped proto¬conch of about 3 whorls (partially damaged at the top) a very thin varix separates it from the telcoconch that gets immediately sculpted. Shell characterized by rather narrow and well spaced spiral ribs (12-15 at the last whorl); spaces much wider than ribs (mostly in the upper part). Brownish-dark tan colour, rather vivid on the ribs and duller in the spaces between; dark purple protoconch (like several other congeneric species). No pattern. Outer lip thickened, slightly protruding, tending to form denticles in correspondence of the edges of the external ribs; outer lip shining white, inner mouth tan/brown. Columellar side covered of thin shining enamel, mostly transparent but tending to white at the boards. Columella deep, hidden, rather straight.

Colour and shape remind the T. cepa - cumingi complex, but these generally present distinct white-on-brown patterns and have big flat ribs with very thin spaces. The sculpture may be similar to certain juvenile specimens of T. galea (Linnaeus, 1758), but they are much thinner and lighter, present much more (20-23) fine regular ribs, have a lower spire and the outer lip is not calloused. Mouth and ribbing may remind even T. allium (Dillwyn,1817) and, in part, T. tessellata (Lamarck, 1816), but this one is white in colour or eventually spotted of light reddish brown. The combination of sculpture, dark colour, lack of pattern, small size and calloused-toothed lip seems to be rather unique.

Holotype: 38.2 mm x 28.5 mm
Toliara, South-Western Madagascar. Inside coral reef, diving in shallow water.