Lambis lambis, common name the spider conch, is one of 75 marine gastropod species in the family Strombidae (WoRMS 2011). The spider conch is widely distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific, living in reef flat zones to depths of 5 m (Walls 1980). Like all Strombids, the spider conch feeds on macroalgae and detrital films by grazing, and therefore plays a significant role in its food webs. Its large, robust shell can reach 29 cm in length and features a flared outer lip and a u-shaped "stromboid" notch near the anterior end (Berg 1973). During locomotion, they propel themselves forward in a leaping motion using their foot and modified pointed operculum.
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Figure 1: Spider conch on sandy substrate in reef flat zone. |