Clanculus undatoides is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Trochidae, the top snails. It is known for its striking appearance and its unique habitat preference.
Description & Characteristics
Clanculus undatoides is a small snail, typically reaching a maximum size of 10 millimeters. Its shell is characterized by its conical shape and its distinctive, wavy spiral lines. The color of the shell can vary, ranging from pale brown to reddish-brown with white markings. The aperture, or opening, of the shell is typically round and features a white, pearly luster. The operculum, a hard, protective plate that covers the aperture when the snail retracts, is also present.
Habitat and Occurrence
Clanculus undatoides is a species that prefers rocky and coral habitats. It is typically found in shallow waters, usually within the intertidal zone or in the subtidal zone, which encompasses depths ranging from the low tide mark to about 20 meters. This species is known to inhabit the tropical Indo-Pacific region, specifically in the areas around Australia and Indonesia. Due to its preference for these particular environments, it is considered a significant part of the marine ecosystems within these regions.
Taxonomy
Clanculus undatoides is classified within the Class Gastropoda, which encompasses a vast array of mollusks known for their single, spiraled shell. It belongs to the Order Trochida, an order that features top snails, distinguished by their conical, often brightly colored shells. Furthermore, it falls under the Family Trochidae, a group of snails that exhibit a broad diversity of shell shapes and patterns.
Feeding
Clanculus undatoides, like other top snails, is a grazer. Its diet consists mainly of algae, which it scrapes off rocks and other surfaces using its radula, a ribbon-like structure covered in teeth. This feeding strategy makes Clanculus undatoides a crucial part of the marine ecosystem, helping to control algal growth and maintain balance within the coral reefs and rocky environments it inhabits.
Image References