Malacology
Malacology is the study of mollusks. This includes animals like octopus, snails, slugs, and clams. It is the second largest phylum of animals, making them one of the most successful groups on the planet. There are over 80,000 described species of mollusks with many more left to be discovered. Mullusca is composed of 8 recognized classes including Cephalopoda, Gastropoda, Polyplacophora, Scaphapoda, Monoplacophorans, the Aplacophorans, Caudofoveata and Solenogastres, and Bivalvia.
American Crown Conch
(Gmelin, 1791)
Melongena corona
Class:
Gastropoda
Order:
Neogastropoda
Family:
Melongenidae
Image Voucher:
ANSP 411363
Shell Information
Length up to (mm): 205
Dextral
Chirality:
The crown conch has a relatively short spire and a large adult body whorl. The top of the spire has a series of axial folds that transition into sharp spines on the shoulder of lower whorls. The body whorl also typically has a second row of spines. The shell is often white with orange-brown bands of color.
Description:
Ecological Information
Distribution:
Depth (m):
East Florida to Alabama
0 to 2 meters
Diet:
Carnivore
Habitat:
Marine; Soft substrates
Misc. Facts
Citations
MolluscaBase eds. (2021). MolluscaBase. Melongena corona (Gmelin, 1791). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=420061 on 2021-06-23
Rosenberg, G., F. Moretzsohn, and E. F. Garc�a. 29. Gastropoda (Mollusca) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 579�699 in Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico�Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, Texas.