Thylacodes margaritaceus

, Thylacodes margaritaceus, Thylacodes margaritaceus

Afghanistan, Alaska, Algeria, Andaman and Nicobar, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Arctic, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores Islands, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Cocos Islands, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Corsica Island, Crete Island, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, El Salvador, England, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira Islands, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Saint Martin, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sardinia Island, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Sicily Island, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, US Minor Islands, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Amvrakikos Gulf, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Aral Sea, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Biscay, Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, Black Sea, Bohai Sea, Cantabrian Sea, Celtic Sea, Chukchi Sea, Coral Sea, Dead Sea, English Channel, German Bight, Great Barrier Reef, Greenland Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Fonseca, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Halmahera Sea, Iberian Sea, Indian Ocean, Java Sea, Korinthiakos Gulf, Labrador Sea, Levantine Sea, Lingayan Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Moro Gulf, Okhotsk Sea, Pacific Ocean, Pagassitikos Gulf, Salish Sea, Saronikos Gulf, Scotia Sea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Siberian Sea, South China Sea, Southern Ocean, Thermaikos Gulf, Yellow Sea

Thylacodes margaritaceus, commonly known as the Margarita Worm Snail, is a fascinating marine gastropod mollusk that exhibits unique adaptations for its sessile lifestyle. This species is part of the Vermetidae family, a group known for their tube-dwelling habits. Thylacodes margaritaceus is a captivating example of the diversity and adaptation found in marine environments, showcasing a remarkable ability to thrive in challenging coastal ecosystems.

Description & Characteristics

Thylacodes margaritaceus is a small, tube-dwelling snail that typically grows to a maximum size of 2 cm. Its shell is white or cream-colored and often has a rough, irregular texture. The shell is typically coiled in a loose spiral, resembling a small, irregular tube. This tube-like structure is a defining characteristic of the Vermetidae family and provides protection and support for the snail.

Habitat and Occurrence

Thylacodes margaritaceus is a common inhabitant of intertidal and subtidal zones, often found clinging to rocks, shells, and seaweeds. This species is typically found in the shallow subtidal zone, which is the area below the low tide mark but still within the photic zone (the zone where sunlight reaches). This zone is characterized by its fluctuating water levels, temperature changes, and exposure to waves. Thylacodes margaritaceus is well-adapted to this environment and is capable of withstanding the harsh conditions present in the intertidal zone.

Taxonomy

Thylacodes margaritaceus belongs to the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Littorinimorpha, and Family: Vermetidae. This family includes a wide variety of tube-dwelling snails that have adapted to a sessile lifestyle. The species is characterized by its unique tube-like shell, which provides protection and support for the snail.

Feeding

Thylacodes margaritaceus is a filter feeder, obtaining its nutrition from the water column. It uses its specialized feeding apparatus, called a radula, to trap microscopic food particles, including phytoplankton, algae, and detritus, from the surrounding water.

Associated Species

Image References

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