Monomia
Monomia is a genus of marine gastropods in the family Buccinidae. Members of this genus are commonly known as whelks, and are characterized by their robust, often spired shells. These snails are found in a variety of marine environments, including rocky shores, sand flats, and seagrass beds, throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Characteristics
Monomia species share several distinctive features, including:
- Shell shape: Typically conical, with a well-developed spire and a wide aperture.
- Sculpture: Shell surface often exhibits strong axial ribs and spiral cords.
- Operculum: A hard, horny lid that closes the aperture when the animal retracts into the shell.
- Size: Generally range from a few centimeters to several centimeters in length.
Environments
Monomia snails are found in a variety of marine habitats, typically in shallow water depths. They prefer substrates such as:
- Rocky shores
- Sand flats
- Seagrass beds
They are often found among algae, rocks, and other marine organisms.
Distribution
The genus Monomia is distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region, including:
- The Indian Ocean
- The Pacific Ocean
References
World Register of Marine Species
A Taxonomic Revision of the Indo-Pacific Buccinid Genus Monomia (Mollusca: Gastropoda)