The Beautifully-banded Moon Snail, Necklace Shell, scientifically known as Tanea undulata, is a captivating marine gastropod known for its striking shell patterns. This species showcases the beauty of the ocean’s biodiversity and holds a prominent position within the marine ecosystem.
Description & Characteristics
Tanea undulata is characterized by its distinctively patterned shell, which is typically white or cream-colored and adorned with beautiful, undulating brown bands. The shell, which can reach a maximum size of around 5 cm, is a spiral shape with a smooth, glossy surface. The aperture, or opening, is a rounded oval shape with a sharp outer lip.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Beautifully-banded Moon Snail, Necklace Shell thrives in a variety of marine environments. It is commonly found on sandy seafloors in the subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, and deep zones of the oceans, ranging from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge at about 200 meters water depth. This makes Tanea undulata a neritic species, inhabiting the waters over continental shelves.
Taxonomy
The species Tanea undulata belongs to the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Littorinimorpha, and Family: Naticidae. The Gastropoda class encompasses a diverse group of mollusks, including snails, slugs, and sea hares. The Littorinimorpha order consists of a variety of sea snails, and the Naticidae family is characterized by their distinctive shell shapes and feeding habits.
Feeding
Tanea undulata is a carnivorous predator, primarily feeding on other mollusks, such as clams and snails. It uses its sharp radula, a tongue-like structure with rows of teeth, to drill into the shells of its prey and consume the soft flesh within. This predatory behavior plays a significant role in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem.
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