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.
Queen Conch
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Aliger gigas
Class:
Gastropoda
Order:
Littorinimorpha
Family:
Strombidae
Image Voucher:
ANSP 390762
Shell Information
Length (mm): 200-352
Dextral
Chirality:
This is a large heavy shell with a relatively short spire. The shell whorls have knobs that increase in size on later whorls. The body whorl of adults has a thick flared lip. The shell has a yellowish-white coloration with a white to pink interior.
Description:
Ecological Information
Distribution:
Depth (m):
South Carolina to Barbados
0.3 to 25 meters
Diet:
Herbivore
Habitat:
Marine; Seagrass and soft substrates
Misc. Facts
Citations
MolluscaBase eds. (2021). MolluscaBase. Aliger gigas (Linnaeus, 1758). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1429769 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.
Morris, P. A. (1987). A field guide to shells: Atlantic and Gulf coasts and the West Indies (3rd ed.). Houghton Mifflin.