Murex tribulus
| Murex tribulus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A shell of Murex tribulus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| (unranked): | clade Caenogastropoda clade Hypsogastropoda clade Neogastropoda |
| Superfamily: | Muricoidea |
| Family: | Muricidae |
| Genus: | Murex |
| Species: | M. tribulus |
| Binomial name | |
| Murex tribulus Linnaeus, 1758 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Murex tribulus, also known as the Caltrop murex, is a species of large predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Muricidae, the rock snails or murex snails. [1]
Description
The shell of Murex tribulus can reach a length of 65–160 millimetres (2.6–6.3 in). This quite common snail has a shell with a very long siphonal canal and numerous very long, fragile and acute spines, providing protection against predators. It feeds on other mollusks.
Distribution
This species is widespread from Central Indian Ocean to Western Pacific Ocean.
References
- ↑ Bouchet P. & Rocroi J.-P. (Ed.); Frýda J., Hausdorf B., Ponder W., Valdes A. & Warén A. 2005. Classification and nomenclator of gastropod families. Malacologia: International Journal of Malacology, 47(1-2). ISBN 3-925919-72-4. ISSN 0076-2997. 397 pp. - ConchBooks: Hackenheim, Germany.
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