Clanculus puniceus

Clanculus puniceus, common names the strawberry top shell or purplish clanculus, is a species of small sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Trochidae, the top shells.[1]

Clanculus puniceus
A Shell of Clanculus puniceus from Madagascar
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Vetigastropoda
Order: Trochida
Superfamily: Trochoidea
Family: Trochidae
Genus: Clanculus
Species:
C. puniceus
Binomial name
Clanculus puniceus
(Philippi, 1846)
Synonyms[1]
  • Clanculus (Clanculus) puniceus (Philippi, 1846)
  • Clanculus miniatus Macnae & Kalk, 1969
  • Monodonta punicea Philippi, 1846
  • Trochus puniceus (Philippi, 1846)
  • Trochus (Clanculus) puniceus (Philippi, 1846)

Shell description
A shell of Clanculus puniceus showing the aperture

The size of an adult shell of Clanculus puniceus varies between 13 mm and 22 mm. These small, robust shells are wide-conical, low spired and have a granulated coral red surface, with a pattern of small black and white dots. In shape, size, color, and sculpture, the shell of this species is reminiscent of that of a small strawberry, hence the common name. The body whorl bears 20 or 21 cinguli, of which the 4th and 9th, as well as one or two upon the base, are articulated with black. The aperture is oval, with a strongly ridged lip. The shell is pearly (has nacre) on the inside. This species differs from Clanculus pharaonius in being more finely granulate. Moreover, the body whorl is more deflected anteriorly than in Clanculus pharonius.[1][2]

Distribution

This species occurs in the Indian Ocean off Madagascar, the Mascarene Basin, Mozambique, KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) and Tanzania.[1]

Habitat

These sea snails live on rock in eulittoral zone.[1]

References
  1. WoRMS (2011). Clanculus puniceus (Philippi, 1846). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=211269 on 2011-06-29
  2. H. Pilsbry, Manual of Conchology XI, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia (described as Trochus puniceus)
  • Herbert G.G. (1993). Revision of the Trochinae, tribe Trochini (Gastropoda: Trochidae) of southern Africa. Annals of the natal Museum 34(2):239-308.
  • Branch, G.M. et al. (2002). Two Oceans. 5th impression. David Philip, Cate Town & Johannesburg
  • "Clanculus puniceus". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
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