| Alcithoe arabica | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A shell of the shouldered form of Alcithoe arabica | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Family: | Volutidae |
| Genus: | Alcithoe |
| Species: | A. arabica |
| Binomial name | |
| Alcithoe arabica (Gmelin, 1791) | |
 | |
| Synonyms | |
See list | |
Alcithoe arabica, common name Arabic volute, is a species of very large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Volutidae, the volutes. [1] [2]
This species is endemic to New Zealand. [1] [3] [4]
Shells of Alcithoe arabica can reach a height of 75–225 millimetres (3.0–8.9 in) and a width of 88 mm. [1] These shells are usually large, solid, fusiform, with relatively weak tubercles on the shoulder of the body whorl. [1] The shell aperture is high with a thickened, rounded outer lip. [1] The external surface is yellowish-white with chestnut zig-zac markings, forming five bands on the body whorl. These zig-zag markings were thought to resemble Arabic writing, giving rise to the name of the species.
There is no operculum in A. arabica. Individuals have a large grey to brown foot, flecked with purple and orange markings. [5]
These sea snails live in subtidal waters on soft sediments. [5] Alcithoe arabica are able to move quite quickly on the soft substrate. They feed on bivalves that they smother using their large foot. The rounded, thin shelled eggs of this species are laid on stones or other shells. [5]
Volutidae, common name volutes, are a taxonomic family of predatory sea snails that range in size from 9 mm to over 500 mm. They are marine gastropod mollusks. Most of the species have no operculum.
Alcithoe is a genus of large sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Cymbiinae of the family Volutidae, the volutes.
Gari is a genus of bivalve molluscs in the family Psammobiidae, known as sunset shells.
Alcithoe fusus is a species of medium-sized sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Volutidae, the volutes.
Alcithoe larochei is a species of large deepwater sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Volutidae, the volutes.
Lima is a genus of file shells or file clams, marine bivalve molluscs in the family Limidae, the file shells, within the subclass Pteriomorphia.
Volutomitra is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Volutomitridae, the mitres, with global distribution.
Polinices is a genus of predatory sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Polinicinae of the family Naticidae, commonly known as moon snails.
Cominella is a genus of carnivorous sea snails, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Cominellidae.
Buccinulum is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the whelk family Tudiclidae.
Aeneator is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the whelk family Tudiclidae.
Alcithoe jaculoides is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Volutidae, the volutes.
Voluta is a genus of medium to large sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Volutidae, the volutes.
Fulgoraria (Fulgoraria) rupestris, common name the Asian flame volute, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Volutidae, the volutes.
Phalium, common name the bonnet shells, is a genus of large sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Phaliinae of the family Cassidae, the helmet shells, bonnet shells and their allies.
Syrnola is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Turbonillinae of the family Pyramidellidae, the pyrams and their allies.
Glycymeris, common name the bittersweet clams, is a genus of saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs in the family Glycymerididae.
Aclis is a genus of small sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Eulimidae.
Cochlis is a genus of predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Naticinae of the family Naticidae, the moon snails.
Haurakia is a genus of minute sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks or micromollusks in the family Rissoidae.
