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.
Four-toothed Nerite
Gmelin, 1791
Nerita versicolor
Class:
Gastropoda
Order:
Cycloneritida
Family:
Neritidae
Image Voucher:
ANSP 477013
Shell Information
Diameter (mm): 24-27
Dextral
Chirality:
This is a heavy globe shaped shell with a short spire if any. It has spiral ribs with a thin groove running between each rib. It can be distinguised from similar nerites by the four teeth situated on the innerlip of the aperture. This shell is white with black axial lines that are sometimes zigzagged or incomplete.
Description:
Ecological Information
Distribution:
Depth (m):
East Florida to Trinidad
1 to 0 meters
Diet:
Herbivore
Habitat:
Terrestrial; Rocky intertidal zone
Misc. Facts
This shell is also sometimes called the Variegated Nerite.
Citations
MolluscaBase eds. (2021). MolluscaBase. Nerita versicolor Gmelin, 1791. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=419506 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.
Morris, P. A. (1987). A field guide to shells: Atlantic and Gulf coasts and the West Indies (3rd ed.). Houghton Mifflin.