Summary
Physical Description
Ecology
Feeding
Life History & Behaviour
Reproduction and Development
Locomotion
Shell Righting
Escape Response
Substrate Experiment
Anatomy & Physiology
Evolution & Systematics
Biogeographic Distribution
Human Use
References & Links |
Summary
The silver conch, Lentigo lentiginosus, is part of the gastropod family Strombidae. These marine snails have decorative shells and can grow up to a maximum of 100mm in shell length. They are characterised by a distinctive u-shaped “stromboid notch” on the outer lip of their shell which acts as a peep-hole for the right eye of the animal. The genus Strombus, of which Lentigo is a sub-genus, is one of the most specious of family Strombidae. Species within this genus are herbivores associated with shallow water reefs and grass beds. They possess soft tissue anatomies, egg masses, and radulae.
Strombid gastropods display unique locomotry and shell righting response. Their locomotry style has been described as “leaps” instead of the regular gliding of other gastropod groups, and their shell righting response is via a sharp “kick” instead of the usual snail response of pulling the shell over via contractions of the foot against the substrate. This page explores these responses in reference to different substrate types and how this impacts their locomotion.
As a gastropod, Lentigo lentiginosus undergoes torsion during development and has a veliger larval stage. Unlike other gastropods, they have the appearance of complex pigmented eyes on the end of eyestalks which are potentially capable of forming an image. This species can be found throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans in shallow tropical reef environments and is popular amongst shell collectors due to the size and colouring of its decorative shell.
Image of reef crest environment where Lentigo lentiginosus can be found at Heron Island (image courtesy of BIOL3211 class).
Image of Lentigo lentiginosus in its natural environment on the lagoon side of the reef crest at Heron Island (Photographer: Asia Armstrong).
|
|