The shell from the John Murray Expedition material basically conforms to the description and illustrations of the holotype given by Schepman and Shuto (see synonymy). However it differs from the latter in some remarkable characters. The shell is much larger than that in the holotype (18.5 mm vs. 10.0 mm), with a proportionally higher spire, at approximately the same number of teleoconch volutions (6+ vs. 6). The anal sinus is deeper, with its apex situated lower on the subsutural slope. The initial three whorls of the teleoconch bear oblique axial folds below the peripheral angulation. These folds form nodes on the angulation, making it crenulated. and rapidly weaken towards the lower suture. On subsequent whorls, they become less developed and disappear on the body whorl. The spiral sculpture lacks a regular alternation of strong and weak spirals mentioned by Shuto. The sculpture has a cancellated appearance due to the intersection with growth lines. Also there are widely spaced, thin, and weak but distinct spiral threads on the subsutural slope which were not described by either Schepman or Shuto. Nevertheless, these differences are not essential and seemingly do not extend beyond the range of intraspecific and geographical variability of C. gradata.
DISTRIBUTION. Halmahera Sea and Gulf of Aden, 411-732 m.