Aporrhaidae

Aporrhaidae is a family of medium-sized to large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Stromboidea. This family contains four living genera and several extinct ones, with the most famous being the genus Aporrhais, which includes the “alligator-head” snail, Aporrhais pes-pelecani. These snails are easily recognized by their distinctive, often elongated, shell forms, with characteristic “fingers” or projections on the outer lip.

Pelican’s Foot , Common Pelican’s Foot – Aporrhais pespelecani

Common Names

Members of this family are commonly known as "alligator-head" snails or "finger snails". These names refer to the unique shapes of their shells.

Characteristics

Aporrhaid snails are characterized by:

  • Shell shape: Typically elongated and conical, with a spire that can be short or long.
  • Outer lip: Distinctive "fingers" or projections, which vary in number and shape between species.
  • Operculum: Small, corneous, and often oval-shaped.
  • Coloration: Variable, with some species exhibiting striking patterns or markings.

Environments

Aporrhaid snails are found in various marine environments, predominantly in:

  • Intertidal zones: Some species live in the intertidal zone, tolerating periods of exposure to air.
  • Subtidal areas: Others prefer subtidal environments, residing on sandy or muddy bottoms.
  • Continental shelves: These snails are found in a variety of depths, often on continental shelves.

References

For more information on Aporrhaidae, please refer to the following reliable sources: