Buccinum
Buccinum is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Buccinidae, the true whelks. These snails are commonly known as “whelks” or “true whelks”, and are found in the northern Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas. Buccinum species are carnivores and predatory, feeding on other marine organisms, including bivalves, worms, and other snails.
Common Names
Common names for Buccinum species include:
- Whelk
- True whelk
Characteristics
Buccinum snails have a distinctive shell shape that is typically elongated, oval, and pointed at the apex. The shell surface is usually smooth or has fine spiral ridges. The aperture, or opening of the shell, is usually large and oval-shaped. The operculum, a horny or calcareous plate that covers the aperture, is present in Buccinum species.
Environments
Buccinum snails are found in a variety of marine environments, including:
- Intertidal zones
- Subtidal zones
- Continental shelves
They typically inhabit rocky, sandy, or muddy bottoms. Some species are known to burrow into the sediment.
References
For further information, consult the following reliable references:
- Bouchet, P., Rocroi, J.-P., Frýda, J., Hausdorf, B., Ponder, W., Valdes, A. & Warén, A. (2005). "Classification and nomenclator of gastropod families". Malacologia 47(1-2): 1-397. http://www.malacologia.org/pdf/47_1-2.pdf
- WoRMS Editorial Board (2023). "Buccinum Linnaeus, 1758". World Register of Marine Species. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=138243