Tritia lima

, Tritia lima
Water Type: Marine

Tritia lima, also known as the “lira snail,” is a common species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Nassariidae. These snails are known for their distinctive, often striking appearances and their roles as predators and scavengers in the intertidal zone.

Description & Characteristics

The shell of Tritia lima can reach a maximum length of around 25 millimeters. Its shape is generally conical, with a pointed apex and a wide, rounded aperture. The surface of the shell is typically covered with numerous, closely spaced, longitudinal ridges, or “lirae,” giving it a textured, rough appearance. These ridges are the source of the snail’s common name, “lira snail,” which reflects the prominent, sculpted appearance of the shell. The color of the shell can vary, ranging from pale brown to dark grey, often with a patterned appearance.

Habitat and Occurrence

Tritia lima is widely distributed throughout the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, from Norway to the Mediterranean Sea. This species is a common inhabitant of the intertidal zone, particularly rocky shores and sandy beaches. It can often be found in the lower intertidal zone and in shallow subtidal areas, typically inhabiting depths of 0-50 meters. The marine zone associated with this species is therefore the neritic zone, the region of shallow water extending from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.

Taxonomy

The species Tritia lima is a member of the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Neogastropoda, and Family: Nassariidae. Gastropods are the largest and most diverse class of mollusks, comprising snails, slugs, and other related forms. Neogastropods are a diverse group of marine snails characterized by a distinctive, siphonated shell and a predatory or scavenging lifestyle. The Nassariidae family encompasses a variety of marine snails known as nassa mud snails, many of which are highly adapted to life in the intertidal zone.

Feeding

Tritia lima is a carnivorous species, primarily feeding on small marine invertebrates. Its diet typically consists of worms, crustaceans, and other mollusks. This snail is a scavenger and an opportunistic predator, utilizing its strong radula, a toothed ribbon-like structure in its mouth, to rasp and tear its prey. Tritia lima plays an important ecological role as a predator in the intertidal zone, helping to control populations of other invertebrates.

Associated Species

Image References

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