Pleuroploca gigantea (Kiener, 1840)
Florida horse conch
Pleuroploca gigantea
photo by Cox, Carol

Family:  Fasciolariidae (horse conchs, spindle shells)
Max. size: 
Environment:  benthic; marine
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic.
Diagnosis:  Shell large, with up to 10 whorls. Sculpture of about 5 to 7 spiral cords and weak axial ribs that sometimes form knobs on whorl shoulders. Columella with 3 plications. Periostracum sometimes flaky. Colour: shell greyish white to salmon orange, usually orange in younger specimens; periostracum dark brown to light tan.
Biology:  This the largest gastropod in American waters, and the Florida State Shell. A variety lacking nodules known as 'knob less wonder' can be found in southwestern Florida. Broad, muscular foot is locally consumed in northwestern Mexico (Ref. 355). Intertidal to shallow subtidal, on sand and mud flats and seagrass beds (Ref. 355).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

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