Tegula nigerrima is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Tegulidae.
Description & Characteristics
Tegula nigerrima is characterized by its distinctive shell. The shell is typically conical in shape, with a pointed apex and a wide base. It ranges in size from 10 to 20 mm in diameter, with a maximum recorded size of 25 mm. The shell surface is smooth, with fine growth lines visible under magnification. The shell color can vary from dark brown to black, sometimes with a purplish hue.
Habitat and Occurrence
Tegula nigerrima is found in the intertidal and subtidal zones of the Pacific Ocean. This species is commonly found along the rocky shores of the western coast of North America, ranging from Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. It is particularly prevalent in the neritic zone, the shallow water zone of the ocean that extends from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
Tegula nigerrima is a member of the Tegulidae family, which is part of the Trochida order within the Gastropoda class. The Trochida order includes a diverse array of sea snails, with more than 1,500 known species.
Feeding
Tegula nigerrima is a herbivore, feeding primarily on algae that grows on rocks and other surfaces in its intertidal and subtidal habitats. It uses a radula, a ribbon-like structure with rows of teeth, to scrape the algae from the substrate.
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