Nucella
Nucella is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Muricidae, the murex snails or rock snails. The genus is found along the coasts of the northern Pacific Ocean and the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. These snails are carnivorous, feeding mainly on barnacles and other mollusks.
Common Names
Snails in this genus are commonly called "dog whelks" or "dog winkles." Other common names include "whelk," "rock snail," and "winkle."
Characteristics
Nucella snails are typically robust and conical in shape, with a pointed spire and a wide aperture. Their shells are often rough and covered with spines or knobs. The snails have a muscular foot and a siphon, which they use to draw in water for respiration and to sense their surroundings. They possess a radula, a ribbon-like structure with rows of teeth, that they use to scrape food from surfaces.
Environments
Nucella snails are found in intertidal and subtidal zones, clinging to rocks, seaweed, and other hard substrates. They prefer rocky shores and areas with a strong current, which provides them with access to their prey. They are also often found in the vicinity of barnacle beds, their primary food source. Nucella snails are tolerant of exposure to air and can survive for extended periods out of water.
Species
There are several species of Nucella, including:
- Nucella canaliculata (also known as the "California dogwhelk")
- Nucella emarginata (also known as the "Northern dogwhelk")
- Nucella lapillus (also known as the "common dogwhelk")
- Nucella ostrina
- Nucella lamellosa (also known as the "frilled dogwhelk")
- Nucella lima (also known as the "lime dogwhelk")
References
NCBI Taxonomy Browser
WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species
The Evolutionary Ecology of Nucella (Gastropoda: Muricidae)