Oxymeris gouldi is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Terebridae, commonly known as auger snails. These snails are characterized by their elongated, slender shells with a pointed apex and a distinct, often flared lip. Oxymeris gouldi is a relatively common species found in a variety of marine environments.
Description and Characteristics
Oxymeris gouldi typically reaches a maximum size of about 50 mm in length. The shell is generally smooth and glossy, with a light brown or tan color. The surface of the shell is often adorned with delicate, spiral lines and a pattern of faint, darker brown streaks. The aperture, the opening of the shell, is narrow and oval-shaped, with a distinct, flared lip. This lip can be smooth or slightly toothed, depending on the individual specimen.
Habitat and Occurrence
Oxymeris gouldi is found in a variety of marine environments, including sandy bottoms, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. They are commonly found in the intertidal zone and in shallow subtidal areas. Their distribution is typically restricted to tropical and subtropical regions. Oxymeris gouldi is a common species in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean, and the western Pacific Ocean. This distribution encompasses a range of marine zones, from the warm, shallow waters of the neritic zone to the deeper, colder waters of the oceanic zone.
Taxonomy
Oxymeris gouldi is a member of the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Neogastropoda, and Family: Terebridae. This classification places it within a group of snails that are characterized by their predatory nature and their elongated, often slender shells. The family Terebridae, also known as the auger snails, contains a diverse array of species with a global distribution.
Feeding
Oxymeris gouldi is a predatory snail that primarily feeds on polychaete worms. These worms live in burrows in the sediment, and the snail uses its radula, a tongue-like structure covered in teeth, to scrape and rasp at the worm’s burrow entrance. Once the worm is exposed, the snail uses its proboscis, a long, tubular structure, to inject a paralyzing toxin. The snail then retracts its proboscis and ingests the worm.
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