Family Strombidae - conchs

  Order
:
  Class
:
Gastropoda
  No. of Genera in Ref.
:
  No. of Species in Ref.
:
  Environment
:
Fresh : No | Brackish : No | Marine : Yes
  Aquarium
:
  First Fossil Record
:
     
  Remark
:
Changed Order from Neotaenioglossa to Littorinimorpha (Ref. 3477). To about 45 cm. Marine (Ref. 94508). Shell thick and solid, with a relatively large body whorl and variable shape. Outer surface smooth to sculptured with axial and spiral threads, nodes or knobs. Periostracum mostly thin and velvety. Aperture elongated, with a well-marked siphonal canal. Inner lip covered by a glossy callus, with a nearly straight columella. Outer lip generally thickened and often flaring in adult specimens, sometimes winged or digitate. A distinct notch present along the anterior margin of the outer lip. No umbilicus. Operculum thick and corneous, claw-like, narrowly eliptical with a sharp, terminal nucleus, and often serrated along one edge. Head bearing complex eyes with highly coloured iris, on top of long stalks which protrude, the one along the anterior canal, the other under the notch of outer lip. Tropical to subtropical and often gregarious animals, mainly living in shallow water, on sandy, muddy or rubble bottoms or on marine grassflats. Very active, using their narrow foot and strong operculum in a leaping locomotions and as a defensive weapon. Mostly herbivores, browsing on delicate algae, or swallowing sand and detritus to digest the decomposing plant matter. Sexes separate, the male frequently smaller than the female. fertilization internal. Eggs numerous, laid in gelatinous, tubular, tangled masses, and hatching as planktonic larvae. Strombidae are commonly collected for food in the area, and may be of economic importance locally (Ref. 349).
  Etymology
:
  Division
:
  Reproductive guild
:
  Typical activity level
:
  Main Ref.
:
  Coordinator
:

Ref.
[ e.g. 9948]                       
Glossary
                    [ e.g. cephalopods]