Common Names
Common names for snails in this genus include "Clanculus top shells", "Clanculus trochus", and "Painted topshells".
Characteristics
Snails in the genus Clanculus are characterized by their small size, typically ranging from 5 to 20 millimeters in diameter. Their shells are conical and often have a distinctive, slightly flattened apex. The shell surface is usually smooth and glossy, and it is often ornamented with intricate patterns of colorful stripes, spots, or bands. The aperture is circular or slightly oval, and the operculum is corneous (made of horn-like material) and multispiral.
Environment
Clanculus snails are typically found in shallow, rocky intertidal and subtidal zones. They inhabit a variety of habitats, including coral reefs, rocky shores, and seagrass beds. These snails are grazers, feeding mainly on algae and diatoms.
References
World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
Wikipedia: Trochidae
