Trochus radiatus
| Trochus radiatus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| (unranked): | clade Vetigastropoda |
| Superfamily: | Trochoidea |
| Family: | Trochidae |
| Subfamily: | Trochinae |
| Genus: | Trochus |
| Species: | T. radiatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Trochus radiatus Gmelin, 1791 | |
Trochus radiatus is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Trochidae, the top snails.[1]
Description
The thick, solid, trochoidal shell has a moderately elevated spire. Its length varies between 17 mm and 40 mm. The body whorl has a sharply angled periphery. The shell surface is circled by irregularly beaded bands. The bead in each whorl is larger on the upper row than those at lower rows,The columella shows blunt teeth. The aperture is grooved. The umbilicus is wide and deep. The colour of the shell is yellowish white with broad uninterrupted, axial, reddish streaks. The aperture, columella and umbilical area are pearl white.
Normally adult and large shells are encrusted with algae. Shells washed on beaches are usually clean, exposing the underlying pearly layer below the surface. This species feeds on encrusting algae.
Distribution
This species occurs on intertidal rock boulders in the Indian Ocean off Madagascar and in the Western Pacific.
References
- ↑ Trochus radiatus Gmelin, 1791. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 1 May 2010.