Nerita

Nerita is a genus of medium-sized to small sea snails with a gill and an operculum, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Neritidae, the nerites.

Nerita
A live Nerita tessellata on a rock in Guadeloupe
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Neritimorpha
clade Cycloneritimorpha
Superfamily:
Neritoidea
Family:
Neritidae
Subfamily:
Neritinae
Tribe:
Neritini
Genus:
Nerita

Type species
Nerita peloronta Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
  • Nerita (Adenerita) Dekker, 2000 · accepted, alternate representation
  • Nerita (Amphinerita) Martens, 1887 · accepted, alternate representation
  • Nerita (Argonerita) Frey & Vermeij, 2008 · accepted, alternate representation
  • Nerita (Cymostyla) Martens, 1887 · accepted, alternate representation
  • Nerita (Heminerita) Martens, 1887 · accepted, alternate representation
  • Nerita (Ilynerita) Martens, 1887 · accepted, alternate representation
  • Nerita (Lepidonerita) Vermeij, 1984 · accepted, alternate representation
  • Nerita (Linnerita) Vermeij, 1984 · accepted, alternate representation
  • Nerita (Lisanerita) Krijnen, 2002 · accepted, alternate representation
  • Nerita (Nerita) Linnaeus, 1758 · accepted, alternate representation
  • Nerita (Odontostoma) Mörch, 1852 (preoccupied by Odontostoma Turton, 1829)
  • Nerita (Peloronta) Oken, 1815
  • Nerita (Pila) Mörch, 1852 (objective junior synonym; preoccupied by Pila Röding, 1798)
  • Nerita (Ritena) Gray, 1858 · accepted, alternate representation
  • Nerita (Tenare) Gray, 1858 (objective junior synonym)
  • Nerita (Theliostyla) Mörch, 1852 · accepted, alternate representation
  • Ritena Gray, 1858
  • Theliostyla Mörch, 1852
  • Turrita Wagner, 1897

This is the type genus of the family Neritidae.

Distribution and habitat

Species of Nerita can be found worldwide in tropical waters in the middle and upper intertidal zones. They are gregarious herbivores.

Description

The thick shell is broadly ovate or globular and low-spired. It has a smooth surface. The shells are spirally ribbed or show some axial sculpturing. The ventral side has a large columellar callus or parietal wall. The callus shows small pustules. The aperture and the edge of the columella are usually dentate with fine or robust teeth. The calcareus operculum is thick and can be smooth or with a granular structure. The whorls are covered with strong spiral cords.

Taxonomy

Several subgenera have been proposed over the course of time, but various authors in the past could not agree on the placement of many species. The subgeneric placement of the species of Nerita was revised by Vermeij in 1984.[1] However, inconsistencies still remain over the use and validity of many taxonomic names,[2] because species show a wide variety of colors, patterns and even details of shell morphology, which has given rise to many synonyms.

Species
Two views of shells of Nerita polita
Shell and opercula of Nerita peloronta

Species within the genus Nerita include:[3][4][5]

Subgenus Adenerita Dekker, 2000
Subgenus Amphinerita von Martens, 1887
Subgenus Argonerita Frey & Vermeij, 2008
Subgenus Cymostyla von Martens, 1887
Subgenus Heminerita von Martens, 1887
Subgenus Ilynerita von Martens, 1887
Subgenus Linnerita Vermeij, 1984
  • Nerita antiquata Récluz, 1841
  • Nerita erythrostoma Eichhorst & Neville, 2004
  • Nerita litterata Gmelin, 1791
  • Nerita polita Linnaeus, 1758
Subgenus Lisanerita Krijnen, 2002
Subgenus Nerita Linné, 1758
Subgenus Ritena Gray, 1858
alternate representation of Nerita
Subgenus Theliostyla Mörch, 1852
  • Nerita spengleriana Recluz, 1844
Nerita polita rumphii Récluz, 1841 : often referred to as Nerita litterata
A shell of Nerita spengleriana

The Indo-Pacific Molluscan Database also includes the following species with names in current use [7]

  • Nerita amoena (Gould, 1847)
  • Nerita apiata Récluz, 1843
  • Nerita articulata Gould, 1847
  • Nerita asperulata Récluz, 1843
  • Nerita avellana Récluz, 1842
  • Nerita bicolor Récluz, 1843
  • Nerita bruguierei Récluz, 1841
  • Nerita chemnitzii Récluz, 1841
  • Nerita corrosula Récluz, 1842
  • Nerita dacostae Récluz, 1844
  • Nerita grayana Récluz, 1844
  • Nerita maxima Gmelin, 1791
  • Nerita menkeana Récluz, 1842
  • Nerita nigrita Röding, 1798
  • Nerita panayana Récluz, 1843
  • Nerita panayensis Récluz, 1844
  • Nerita pfeifferiana Récluz, 1843
  • Nerita phasiana Récluz, 1842
  • Nerita radiata Récluz, 1841
  • Nerita sayana Récluz, 1844
  • Nerita scabricosta Lamarck, 1822
    • Nerita scabricosta scabricosta Lamarck, 1822
    • Nerita scabricosta ornata Sowerby, 1833
  • Nerita souleyetana Récluz, 1842
  • Nerita succinea Récluz, 1841
  • Nerita tenebrosa Récluz, 1842
Subgenus Amphinerita
    • Nerita polita antiquata Récluz, 1841-b
    • Nerita polita polita Linnaeus, 1758
    • Nerita polita rumphii Récluz, 1841 : often referred to as Nerita litterata as a polymorphic variation of a single species [2]
Subgenus Cymostyla von Martens in Kobelt, 1887
  • Nerita longii Récluz, 1842
  • Nerita quadricolor Gmelin, 1791
Subgenus Heminerita Martens, 1887
  • Nerita morio Sowerby, 1833
Subgenus Linnerita Vermeij, 1984
Subgenus Melanerita Martens, 1889
Subgenus Nerita Linnaeus, 1758
  • Nerita helicinoides Reeve, 1855
  • Nerita picea Récluz, 1841
  • Nerita tristis Pilsbry, 1901-b
Subgenus Ritena Gray, 1858
  • Nerita balteata Reeve, 1855 : probably congeneric with Nerita articulata [2]
  • Nerita grossa Linnaeus, 1758
Subgenus Theliostyla Mörch, 1852
Species brought into synonymy
  • Nerita angularis Hombron & Jacquinot, 1854: synonym of Nerita (Ilynerita) planospira Anton, 1838
  • Nerita annulata Reeve, 1855: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) chamaeleon Linnaeus, 1758
  • Nerita anthracina Von dem Busch, 1844: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) ocellata Le Guillou, 1841
  • Nerita arachnoidea Gmelin, 1791: synonym of Natica arachnoidea (Gmelin, 1791)
  • Nerita arcta Hombron & Jacquinot, 1854: synonym of Nerita (Amphinerita) insculpta Récluz, 1841
  • Nerita arriaca Röding, 1798: synonym of Nerita (Linnerita) polita Linnaeus, 1758
  • Nerita atrata Gmelin, 1791: synonym of Euchelus atratus (Gmelin, 1791)
  • Nerita atrata Reeve, 1855: synonym of Nerita (Lisanerita) melanotragus E.A. Smith, 1884
  • Nerita atropurpurea Récluz, 1841: synonym of Nerita (Ilynerita) planospira Anton, 1838
  • Nerita australis Wood, 1828: synonym of Nerita (Linnerita) erythrostoma Eichhorst & Neville, 2004
  • Nerita bensoni Récluz, 1850: synonym of Puperita bensoni (Recluz, 1850)
  • Nerita bifasciata Gmelin, 1791: synonym of Nerita (Linnerita) polita Linnaeus, 1758
  • Nerita bizonalis Lamarck, 1816: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) chamaeleon Linnaeus, 1758
  • Nerita bizonalis Mörch (non Lamarck), 1852: synonym of Nerita (Ilynerita) planospira Anton, 1838
  • Nerita candida W. Wood, 1825: synonym of Naticarius onca (Röding, 1798)
  • Nerita carbonaria Philippi, 1845: synonym of Nerita (Lisanerita) morio (G.B. Sowerby I, 1833)
  • Nerita chloroleuca Philippi, 1849: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) chamaeleon Linnaeus, 1758
  • Nerita comma-notata Reeve, 1855: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) aterrima Gmelin, 1791
  • Nerita costata Brocchi, 1814: synonym of Clathrella clathrata (Philippi, 1844)
  • Nerita doreyana Quoy & Gaimard, 1834: synonym of Nerita (Linnerita) litterata Gmelin, 1791
  • Nerita dubia Turton, 1932: synonym of Neritina auriculata Lamarck, 1816
  • Nerita flammulata Récluz, 1841: synonym of Nerita undulata Gmelin, 1791
  • Nerita flava Mörch, 1852: synonym of Nerita (Linnerita) litterata Gmelin, 1791
  • Nerita flavescens Dillwyn, 1817: synonym of Nerita (Linnerita) polita Linnaeus, 1758
  • Nerita fulminea Gmelin, 1791: synonym of Natica fulminea (Gmelin, 1791)
  • Nerita georgina Récluz, 1841: synonym of Nerita (Amphinerita) insculpta Récluz, 1841
  • Nerita grayana Récluz, 1843: synonym of Nerita undulata Gmelin, 1791
  • Nerita haneti Récluz, 1841: synonym of Nerita (Lisanerita) morio (G.B. Sowerby I, 1833)
  • Nerita hieroglyphica Dillwyn, 1817: synonym of Nerita (Linnerita) litterata Gmelin, 1791
  • Nerita hilleana Dunker, 1871: synonym of Nerita (Amphinerita) insculpta Récluz, 1841
  • Nerita hindsii Récluz, 1844 : synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) squamulata Le Guillou, 1841
  • Nerita histrio Linnaeus, 1758 : synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) squamulata Le Guillou, 1841
  • Nerita intricata Donovan, 1804: synonym of Payraudeautia intricata (Donovan, 1804)
  • Nerita islandica Gmelin, 1791: synonym of Amauropsis islandica (Gmelin, 1791)
  • Nerita jovis Récluz, 1843: synonym of Vittina jovis (Récluz, 1843)
  • Nerita junghuhni Schepman, 1901: synonym of Nerita (Amphinerita) olivaria Le Guillou, 1841
  • Nerita laevilirata Sowerby, 1914: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) chamaeleon Linnaeus, 1758
  • Nerita larva Gmelin, 1791: synonym of Nerita (Linnerita) litterata Gmelin, 1791
  • Nerita leucozonias Gmelin, 1791: synonym of Natica vitellus (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Nerita lineata Chemnitz, 1774 - lined nerite:[8] synonym of Nerita balteata Reeve, 1855
  • Nerita listeri Récluz, 1841: synonym of Nerita (Amphinerita) insculpta Récluz, 1841
  • Nerita litoralis Turton, 1819: synonym of Littorina obtusata (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Nerita maculata Pease, 1867 : synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) argus Récluz, 1841
  • Nerita mammilla Linnaeus, 1758: synonym of Polinices mammilla (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Nerita marmorata Hombron & Jacquinot, 1854: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) chamaeleon Linnaeus, 1758
  • Nerita marochiensis Gmelin, 1791: synonym of Natica marochiensis (Gmelin, 1791)
  • Nerita mascareignar Récluz, 1850: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) aterrima Gmelin, 1791
  • Nerita mauritiae Récluz, 1841: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) aterrima Gmelin, 1791
  • Nerita melanostoma Gmelin, 1791: synonym of Mammilla melanostoma (Gmelin, 1791)
  • Nerita modesta Hombron & Jacquinot, 1854: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) chamaeleon Linnaeus, 1758
  • Nerita neritinoides Reeve, 1855: synonym of Nerita (Lisanerita) morio (G.B. Sowerby I, 1833)
  • Nerita nigra Dillwyn, 1817: synonym of Nerita (Linnerita) polita Linnaeus, 1758
  • Nerita nodosa Linnaeus, 1758: synonym of Thais (Thais) nodosa (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Nerita obscura Hombron & Jacquinot, 1854: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) ocellata Le Guillou, 1841
  • Nerita opaca Röding, 1798: synonym of Nerita (Linnerita) polita Linnaeus, 1758
  • Nerita orbignyana Récluz, 1841: synonym of Nerita (Linnerita) litterata Gmelin, 1791
  • Nerita orientalis Gmelin, 1791: synonym of Naticarius orientalis (Gmelin, 1791)
  • Nerita pacifica Récluz, 1850: synonym of Nerita (Amphinerita) insculpta Récluz, 1841
  • Nerita papilla Gmelin, 1791: synonym of Eunaticina papilla (Gmelin, 1791)
  • Nerita pennata Born, 1778: synonym of Vittina pennata (Born, 1778)
  • Nerita petechialis Mörch, 1852: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) signata Lamarck, 1822
  • Nerita pica Gould, 1859 : synonym of Nerita japonica Dunker, 1860
  • Nerita picta Humphrey, 1797: synonym of Nerita (Linnerita) polita Linnaeus, 1758
  • Nerita piscinalis O. F. Müller, 1774: synonym of Valvata piscinalis (O. F. Müller, 1774)
  • Nerita plexa Dillwyn : synonym of Nerita textilis Gmelin, 1791
  • Nerita punctata Quoy & Gaimard, 1834: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) aterrima Gmelin, 1791
  • Nerita pygmaea Martens, 1889: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) signata Lamarck, 1822
  • Nerita reticulata Karsten, 1789: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) signata Lamarck, 1822
  • Nerita rudis Wood, 1828: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) signata Lamarck, 1822
  • Nerita rufa Montagu, 1808: synonym of Lunatia montagui (Forbes, 1838)
  • Nerita rufa Born, 1778: synonym of Natica vitellus (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Nerita rumphii Récluz, 1841: synonym of Nerita (Linnerita) litterata Gmelin, 1791
  • Nerita rustica Nardo, 1847: synonym of Littorina saxatilis (Olivi, 1792)
  • Nerita samoensis Dunker, 1869: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) signata Lamarck, 1822
  • Nerita saturata Hutton, 1884: synonym of Nerita (Lisanerita) melanotragus E.A. Smith, 1884
  • Nerita scabrella Philippi, 1849: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) chamaeleon Linnaeus, 1758
  • Nerita schmeltziana Dunker, 1869: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) argus Récluz, 1841
  • Nerita spadicea (Gmelin, 1791): synonym of Natica spadicea (Gmelin, 1791)
  • Nerita stella Dillwyn, 1817: synonym of Nerita (Argonerita) squamulata Le Guillou, 1841
  • Nerita stercusmuscarum Gmelin, 1791: synonym of Natica stercusmuscarum (Gmelin, 1791)
  • Nerita stricta Baird, 1873: synonym of Nerita (Amphinerita) insculpta Récluz, 1841
  • Nerita succinea Récluz, 1841: synonym of Neritilia succinea (Récluz, 1841)
  • Nerita tomlini Turton, 1933: synonym of Neritina auriculata Lamarck, 1816
  • Nerita vitellus Linnaeus, 1758: synonym of Natica vitellus (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Nerita vitiensis Hombron & Jacquinot, 1854: synonym of Nerita (Linnerita) litterata Gmelin, 1791
  • Nerita vittata Gmelin, 1791: synonym of Natica vittata (Gmelin, 1791)

References
  1. Vermeij GJ. 1984. The systematic position of the Neritid prosobranch gastropod Nerita polita and related species. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 97: 688-692.
  2. Siong Kiat Tan and Reuben Clements, Taxonomy and Distribution of the Neritidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in Singapore, Zoological Studies 47(4): 481-494 (2008)
  3. WoRMS : Nerita
  4. ITIS info at
  5. http://www.catalogueoflife.org/search_results.php?search_string=Nerita&match_whole_words=on
  6. Malacolog :Nerita ascencionis
  7. OBIS : Nerita
  8. Chen, G.; Ye, Y.; Lu, C.; Li, R.; Weng, J.; Xu, Y. (2006). "Distribution of Littoraia melanostoma Gray (Littorinidae) and Nerita lineata Gmelin (Neritadae) in rehabilitated mangroves". Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = the journal of applied ecology / Zhongguo sheng tai xue xue hui, Zhongguo ke xue yuan Shenyang ying yong sheng tai yan jiu suo zhu ban (in Chinese). 17 (9): 1721–1725. PMID 17147188.

Further reading
  • Récluz, C. 1841. Description de quelques nouvelles espèces de Nérites vivantes (2e partie, suite et fin). Revue Zoologique 4: 333-343
  • Reeve, L. 1855. Monograph of the genus Nerita. Conchologia Iconica 9: pls. 1-19
  • Frey, M. A.; Vermeij, G. J. (2008). "Molecular phylogenies and historical biogeography of a circumtropical group of gastropods (Genus: Nerita): Implications for regional diversity patterns in the marine tropics". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 48 (3): 1067–1086. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2008.05.009. PMID 18586528.
  • Tan K. S. & Lee S. S. C. (April 2009) "Neritid egg capsules: are they all that different?" Steenstrupia 30(2): 115–125. Copenhagen, Denmark. ISSN 0375-2909. PDF
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