Clanculus berthelotii is a species of small sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Trochidae, the top snails. It is endemic to the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of northwest Africa. This species is often found in the intertidal zone and is characterized by its distinctive, brightly colored shell.
Description & Characteristics
The shell of Clanculus berthelotii is small, typically reaching a maximum size of about 10 mm in diameter. Its shape is conical and rounded, with a low spire and a wide aperture. The shell surface is adorned with fine spiral ridges and may exhibit a variety of colors, including shades of red, orange, yellow, brown, and white. The aperture is typically white and often has a pearly luster. The shell of Clanculus berthelotii is characterized by its strength and durability, enabling it to withstand the harsh conditions of its intertidal habitat.
Habitat and Occurrence
Clanculus berthelotii is primarily found in the intertidal zone, which is the area of the seashore between high and low tides. This species is typically found in rocky habitats, often clinging to rocks and algae. It can also be found in areas with seagrass beds. Clanculus berthelotii is a common sight in the Canary Islands, where it is found along the rocky coastlines of the archipelago. It prefers the supralittoral zone, which is the highest part of the intertidal zone, and the midlittoral zone.
Taxonomy
Clanculus berthelotii is classified within the Gastropoda class, which encompasses a wide range of mollusks known for their single, spirally coiled shell. It belongs to the Trochida order, which includes a diverse group of sea snails commonly referred to as top snails. This species is further categorized within the Trochidae family, a group of marine snails renowned for their distinctive, often brightly colored shells.
Feeding
Clanculus berthelotii is a herbivore and feeds primarily on algae. Its diet may include a variety of algal species, which it scrapes from rocks and other surfaces using its radula, a ribbon-like structure located in its mouth. This species is an important component of the intertidal food web, playing a role in the regulation of algal populations and providing food for other marine organisms.
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