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: