Malacology
Malacology is the study of mollusks. This includes animals like octopus, snails, slugs, and clams. It is the second largest phylum of animals, making them one of the most successful groups on the planet. There are over 80,000 described species of mollusks with many more left to be discovered. Mullusca is composed of 8 recognized classes including Cephalopoda, Gastropoda, Polyplacophora, Scaphapoda, Monoplacophorans, the Aplacophorans, Caudofoveata and Solenogastres, and Bivalvia.
Florida Horse Conch
(Kiener, 1840)
Triplofusus giganteus
Class:
Gastropoda
Order:
Neogastropoda
Family:
Fasciolariidae
Image Voucher:
ANSP 180720, ANSP 193587
Misc. Facts
The Florida Horse Conch is the largest predatory gastropod found in the Western Atlantic. It is the offical state shell of Florida.
Citations
MolluscaBase eds. (2021). MolluscaBase. Triplofusus giganteus (Kiener, 1840). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=420051 on 2021-06-23
Rosenberg, G., F. Moretzsohn, and E. F. Garc�a. 29. Gastropoda (Mollusca) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 579�699 in Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico�Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, Texas.