Strombidae
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Strombidae, common name the true conchs, is a taxonomic family of medium-sized to very large sea snails with an operculum. These are marine gastropod mollusks in the order Sorbeoconcha.
The family Strombidae includes the true conchs, tibias, and their allies. Many more species existed in the geological past than are now extant.
[edit] Distribution
Most of the living species of strombids occur in the Indo-Pacific region.
Six species of strombids are found in the wider Caribbean region, and all of them are in the genus Strombus.
[edit] Description and life habits
Strombids have long eye stalks, a long and narrow aperture, and a siphonal canal. The shell margin has an indentation near the anterior end which accommodates one of the eye stalks. This indentation is called a strombid or stromboid notch.
Unlike most snails, which glide slowly across the substrate on their foot, strombids have a characteristic leaping motion, using their pointed, sickle-shaped, horny operculum to propel themselves forward in a leaping motion (Parker 1922).
The species in this family grow a flared lip upon reaching sexual maturity, and they lay eggs in long, gelatinous strands.
[edit] Genera within the family Strombidae
- Lambis Röding, 1798 (nine known living species)
- Strombus Linné, 1758 (55 known living species)
- Terebellum Lamarck, 1799 (one known living species)
- Tibia Röding, 1798 (six known living species)
- Varicospira Eames, 1952 (three known living species).
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