Boreotrophon clathratus, commonly known as the Boreotrophon clathratus, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Muricidae. It is a relatively common and widespread species found in the northern Pacific Ocean.
Description and Characteristics
The Boreotrophon clathratus is a medium-sized snail with a sturdy, conical shell that can reach a maximum size of about 45 mm in length. The shell is typically a grayish-brown color with a pattern of darker brown spiral bands. It has a distinctive feature: a series of prominent, sharp, and regularly spaced axial ribs that extend from the apex to the aperture. The shell is also covered in fine, spiral lines or ridges, giving it a rough and textured appearance.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Boreotrophon clathratus is a cold-water species and is typically found in the intertidal zone to depths of about 150 meters. It prefers rocky and sandy bottoms with a high density of algae and other invertebrates. This species is commonly found in the sublittoral zone and the bathyal zone, which are marine environments characterized by their specific depth ranges. The sublittoral zone refers to the coastal region that is submerged during high tide and exposed during low tide, while the bathyal zone is deeper, typically between 200 and 3,000 meters. The Boreotrophon clathratus has a wide distribution in the northern Pacific Ocean, extending from Alaska to California, including the Bering Sea, the Aleutian Islands, and the Gulf of Alaska.
Taxonomy
The Boreotrophon clathratus is classified within the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Neogastropoda, and Family: Muricidae. This group encompasses a diverse range of marine snails with a wide variety of shell shapes, sizes, and colors. Muricidae are known for their predatory habits and their ability to drill holes in the shells of other mollusks.
Feeding
The Boreotrophon clathratus is a carnivorous species that feeds mainly on other marine invertebrates, including bivalves, barnacles, and other snails. It uses its radula, a tongue-like structure covered in tiny teeth, to scrape and tear its prey. The Boreotrophon clathratus is also capable of drilling through the shells of its prey using its sharp, pointed operculum. This allows it to access the soft tissues of the prey, which it then consumes.
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