Rhinoclavis

Rhinoclavis is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Turridae, the turrids. These snails are commonly known as “turrids” or “auger shells“. They are known for their distinctive, elongated, and pointed shells.

Koch’s Cerith, Kanimori-Gai – Rhinoclavis kochi

Rhinoclavis aspera

Characteristics

Rhinoclavis species are characterized by their tall, slender shells with a pointed apex. The shell surface often exhibits spiral ridges and axial ribs, giving it a rough, textured appearance. They can range in size from a few centimeters to several inches in length. The aperture, or opening, is typically narrow and oval-shaped, with a distinct siphonal canal.

Habitat

Rhinoclavis snails are found in a variety of marine habitats, including:

  • Coral reefs
  • Rocky shores
  • Sand bottoms
  • Seagrass meadows

They are typically found in shallow water, but some species can inhabit deeper waters.

Distribution

Rhinoclavis species are widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. They are also found in the Caribbean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

Diet

Rhinoclavis snails are carnivorous and feed on other marine invertebrates, such as worms, mollusks, and crustaceans. They use their radula, a ribbon-like structure with rows of teeth, to scrape prey off surfaces.

Reproduction

Rhinoclavis snails are dioecious, meaning they have separate sexes. They reproduce by laying eggs in capsules. The larvae are planktonic and drift in the water column before settling to the bottom to develop into adult snails.

Notable Species

There are several notable species within the genus Rhinoclavis, including:

  • Rhinoclavis aspera (Rough Augur)
  • Rhinoclavis achatina (Achatina Augur)
  • Rhinoclavis vertagus (Vertagus Augur)
  • Rhinoclavis sinensis (Chinese Augur)

References

More information on Rhinoclavis can be found at the following websites: