Aporrhais

Common Names

Common names for Aporrhais include "alligator-footed snails", "alligator snails", "fiddle shells", and "harp shells".

Characteristics

Aporrhais snails are characterized by their distinctive, elongated shells, which are often described as "alligator-footed" or "fiddle-shaped". The shell has a pointed spire and a wide, flaring aperture. The outer lip of the aperture is typically extended into a series of pointed processes or "wings", which are thought to be used for burrowing or defense.

The shells are typically covered in a smooth, glossy periostracum, but this can be worn away in older specimens.

Environments

Aporrhais snails are found in a variety of marine environments, including:

• Shallow water, on sandy or muddy bottoms
• Subtidal zones
• Intertidal zones, but often buried in the sediment

They are often found in association with seaweed or algae.

Distribution

The genus Aporrhais is found in a wide range of areas, including:

• The Mediterranean Sea
• The Atlantic Ocean, from North Africa to the British Isles
• The Indian Ocean
• The Pacific Ocean

References

For more information about Aporrhais, refer to these reliable sources:

• Wikipedia: Aporrhais
• World Register of Marine Species: Aporrhais
• Conchology.be: Aporrhais