Rhaphaulus lorraini (Pfeiffer, 1856)
“Recalling in shape R. perakensis Smith, the present species is larger and stouter, and the tube stands obliquely upwards instead of descending; as compared with R. lorraini Pfr., which also has an ascending tube, the form is not so cylindrical, the whorls are flatter, and the size is much greater.” (Sykes, 1903)
“Shell shortly pupa-shaped, solid, purple-brown, last whorl with a single white band above the suture; whorls five, short, last but one roundly prominent; last rather straight; aperture large, circular, margin white, reflected, rounded; tube very short, open beyond the margin.”
“I have been able to compare a specimen of ascendens with the British Museum material of lorraini, and think the differences between them do not exceed the limits of variation within a series of the latter.” (Laidlaw, 1928)
Pfeiffer (1856) original descriptions on Rhaphaulus lorraini – “Rh. testa perforata, gibboso-oblonga,solida, conferte striata, sub epidermide fulvida saturate violacea; spira irregulari, inflata, in conum brevem desinens; anfr. 5½ convexis, penultimo gibbo, latere apertura subplanato, ultimo attenuato, antice subascendente; apertura circulari, basi axin subexcedente; perist. calloso, albo, continuo, expanso et reflexiusculo, limbo interno cum exteriore connato; foramine supero parvulo, oblique sursum spectante. Operc. ?”
Kobelt (1902) deutch descriptions on Rhaphaulus lorainii – “Schale eng genabelt, höckerig eiförmig, festwandig, dicht gestreift, tief violett, Periostracum bräunlich; Gewinde unregelmässig, aufgeblasen, Apex kurz kegelförmig; 5 gewölbte Windungen, vorletzte buckelig, vorn abgeflacht, letzte vorn leicht ansteigend; Mündung kreisrund, unten wenig über die Spindel hinausreichend; Mundrand schwielig, weiss, zusammenhängend, ausgebreitet, leicht umgeschlagen, innerer und äusserer verschmolzen; obere Öffnung der Nahtröhre schief nach oben gerichtet.”
Sykes (1903) original descriptions on Rhaphaulus ascendens – “Testa pupoidea, anguste umbilicata, fusco-purpurea, dense costulato-striata, spira bene elevata, apice obtusulo; anfr. 6, planoconvexi, penultimus-gibbosus; apertura subcircularis, intus pallide fusca; peristoma pallide corneum, expansum et reflexum, marginibus callo junctis; tubulus brevis, incrassatus, a sutura oblique ascendens.”
Rhaphaulus lorraini – “Long. 15, diam. 8 mill.” (Pfeiffer, 1856); Rhaphaulus ascendens – “Alt. 18.5; diam. max, 9.5 millim.” (Sykes, 1903)
Type locality – Rhaphaulus lorraini “Pulo Pinang” leg. Lorrain (Pfeiffer, 1856); Rhaphaulus ascendens “Malay Peninsula; Patalung” (Sykes, 1903)
Habitat – “A single specimen from rotten wood.” (Sykes, 1903)