Shell small (to 13.3 mm) with a smooth waxy surface, shape fusiform, truncated anteriorly; whorls to about 8 total, convex, their peripheries slightly below mid-whorl, variably rounded to angular, the last approximately 60% of total shell length. Protoconch of 2 smooth glossy round whorls. Axial sculpture of strong ribs that extend from suture-to-suture on spire whorls, and evanesce just below periphery of last whorl. Ribs narrow on shoulder, broadest at whorl periphery; 6-8 present on the penultimate, and 6-7 to the varix on the last whorl. Rib interspaces much wider than ribs; microscopic growth striae are present on the shell surface. Varix strong, cup handle-like, located immediately behind the anal sinus about ¼-turn from the edge of the outer lip. When viewed ventrally, shell profile appears quite lopsided. Spiral sculpture mostly absent except for about 4 weak threads on shell base, and 5-7 much stronger ones on anterior fasciole. Sulcus absent, ribs are lower and narrower on whorl shoulders and slightly curved marking the past positions of the anal sinus. Outer lip thin, flat, jutting out from along the base of the varix; lip sometimes strengthened by an axial fold below the anal sinus; edge of lip forms a low arc from the sinus to the anterior canal with only a slight invagination for a stromboid notch. Anal sinus a deep U-shaped notch on whorl shoulder, entrance not constricted. Inner lip thin, recumbent except pinched up anteriorly along the columella, thinnest on parietal wall and developed into a lobe at its junction with the outer lip. Anterior canal short but well defined, open, unnotched. Anterior fasciole not swollen. Color white to off white with a broad central color band that may be distinct at its margins or diffuse, covering the top half of the whorl, light golden to brown in color, or absent altogether; rib crests lighter.

Cerodrillia perryae is one of two species placed in the genus at the time it was erected by Bartsch & Rehder. It exhibits the following important generic characteristics: axial ribs that extend from suture-to-suture, microsculpture limited to the shell base, spiral threads on anterior fasciole, and a cup-handle-like varix. The average total length of 22 specimens is 9.59 mm (6.6-13.3 mm); and their average W/L ratio is 0.397, which is relatively slender compared to most other species in the genus. Identification. Cerodrillia perryae is most easily distinguished from C clappi by its larger size, fewer ribs (6-8 versus 9 on the penultimate whorl), and by the presence of a golden-brown mid-whorl band. Douglassia antillensis, new species, which it closely resembles, including the presence of a mid-whorl band, differs in having a protoconch with more whorls (2,5-2,75 versus 1,75), and in being stouter, with a W/L ratio of 0.449. The original characterization of C. perryae as flesh-colored with a golden-brown band (Bartsch & Rehder, 1939) has probably led to widespread reporting of the species well beyond its range, including Colombia, Netherlands Antilles, and Brazil. Most of the extralimital reports do not have good accompanying photographs, but those that do are illustrations of D. antillensis. The occurrence of D. antillensis at localities considered out of range for C. perryae has been confirmed through the examination of other available specimens. Ironically, C perryae does not always have a band, as described by Bartsch & Rehder, but may be all-white, or more irregularly patterned. Specimens of D. antillensis are more consistently patterned over most of its range.

W Florida (Hernando Co.; Citrus Co.; Lee Co.); Florida Keys; E Florida (Broward Co.). Depths of 1-13 m have been reported for confirmed specimens.