Voluta ebraea

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Voluta ebraea
Voluta ebraea THELMA DIAS 01(pode usar).JPG
The Hebrew volute in its natural habitat
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Family: Volutidae
Genus: Voluta
Species:
V. ebraea
Binomial name
Voluta ebraea
Synonyms [2] [3]

Voluta hebraeaBorn, 1778
Voluta chlorosina Lamarck, 1811 [4]
Voluta turbinata Kiener, 1839 [5] [6]

Contents

Voluta ebraea, common name the Hebrew volute, is a species of medium-sized sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Volutidae, the volutes. The Hebrew volute is endemic to Brazil, where it is collected both for food and for its shell, which is highly desired for ornamental purposes. Recent studies indicate that natural populations of Voluta ebraea may be suffering declines due to overfishing and overexploitation.

Distribution

This sea snail is found only along the north and northeastern Brazilian coast in the littoral zone. This species is endemic to those areas. It is present in many Brazilian states and regions, including Pará, Maranhão, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe, Bahia and Abrolhos Marine National Park. [6] [7] [8]

Shell description

Dorsal (left) and ventral (right) views of a shell of Voluta ebraea Voluta ebraea.JPG
Dorsal (left) and ventral (right) views of a shell of Voluta ebraea
A shell of Voluta ebraea at the Houston Museum of Natural Science WLA hmns Voluta ebraea.jpg
A shell of Voluta ebraea at the Houston Museum of Natural Science

The shell length of this species may reach and exceed 200 mm, [9] up to 220 mm, [7] although lengths from 100 mm to 150 mm are more common. [8]

Voluta ebraea has a somewhat robust and solid shell, with a slightly elongate contour. It is colored cream externally, with a complex series of darker-reddish brown markings and lines that are said to resemble Hebraic figures. [6] The interior of the shell can vary in color from pale to strong orange. The protoconch is rounded, and presents two whorls. The shell as a whole has seven slightly convex whorls. [6] Those whorls (including the body whorl) are ornamented by several posteriorly-oriented sharp spines. The outer lip is thick, and the aperture is relatively long and narrow. As is the case in other volutes, the columella presents an array of strong oblique columellar folds (also known as plicae, 9 to 11 of them in this species [6] ), which are more conspicuous anteriorly. The corneous, claw-like operculum partially covers the shell aperture. [8]

Sexual dimorphism can be observed in the shells of this species: the shells of the males tend to be more elongate with a smoother outer surface, whereas the shells of the females are generally wider and more nodulose. [6] The angle of the spire also differs between males and females. [6]

Anatomy

The Hebrew volute has a pale ivory colored body, ornamented by numerous irregular and intertwined thin dark-red to brown colored lines, and several small spots of the same color along the sides of the foot. Some of the most distinct external features are its very large foot, and a long siphon. [8] [10]

This species presents a Steoglossan type radula, composed of a single row of rachidian or central teeth. Each one of these teeth exhibits several smaller acute denticles or cusps. The radula is considered to be similar, though larger than that of the music volute, a similar but distinct species. [10]

Ecology

Much is yet to be revealed about the ecology of V. ebraea, as studies on that subject are fairly recent and/or rather scarce.

Habitat

The Hebrew volute dwells in sandy bottoms, among coral and rocks, [7] [9] and usually shows a preference for sandy substrata. [6] [11] It may be found from shallow water to depths around 40–70 m [7] [9] and is commonly taken by shrimp trawlers.

Life cycle

Like other members of the clade Neogastropoda, Voluta ebraea is dioecious, [12] which means each individual organism belonging to this species is distinctly male or female. It is also sexually dimorphic, [9] which means there is a difference in form between individuals of different sex within this species.

Feeding habits

As is the case in several other volutids, the Hebrew volute is carnivorous and predatory. It is known to feed on the cardiid bivalve mollusk Trachycardium muricatum in the wild, [9] whereas in captivity it has been reported to feed on the sea snails Stramonita haemastoma (a muricid carnivorous gastropod) and Tegula viridula (a top snail). [13]

Biological interactions

The Hebrew volute is known to be a prey of the Bocon toadfish, Anphichthys cryptocentrus. [14]

Human use

The flesh of Voluta ebraea is edible, [6] and it is locally collected for food in many areas. Its shell is also considered a popular and beautiful decorative object, and is sold as souvenir in local markets and craft stores in several regions of Brazil. [9]

Conservation

Though little is known about the conservation status of this species, it is believed that both overfishing and overexploitation are exerting a negative effect on natural populations. The Hebrew volute may occur in shallow water, which tends to facilitate its harvesting by the locals. Thus it is currently not observed in many areas in which it was known to be numerous before. [9] It is not uncommon for Hebrew volutes to be accidentally caught in bottom gill fishing nets and traps set by commercial fishing boats. [15]

The imposex phenomenon has been observed in the Voluta ebraea. [12] The development of masculine sexual organs in the females exposed to organic tin compounds, such as tributyltin (TBT), may have several negative consequences for entire populations of this species, from sterilization of individuals to the complete extinction of those populations. Such compounds are biocide and antifouling agents, commonly mixed in paints to prevent marine encrustations on boats and ships. Therefore, it is not uncommon for high concentrations of such compounds to be present in the sea water near shipyards and docking areas, consequently exposing the nearby marine life to its deleterious effects. [12]

Related Research Articles

Imposex is a disorder in sea snails caused by the toxic effects of certain marine pollutants. These pollutants cause female sea snails to develop male sex organs such as a penis and a vas deferens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volutidae</span> Family of sea snails

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.

<i>Melo</i> (gastropod) Genus of gastropods

Melo is a genus of extremely large sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Volutidae, the volutes. Because of their huge ovate shells, these snails are often known as "bailers" or "melons".

<i>Laevistrombus canarium</i> Species of sea snail

Laevistrombus canarium is a species of edible sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Strombidae. Known from illustrations in books dating from the late 17th century, L. canarium is an Indo-Pacific species occurring from India and Sri Lanka to Melanesia, Australia and southern Japan. The shell of adult individuals is coloured from light yellowish-brown to golden to grey. It has a characteristic inflated body whorl, a flared, thick outer lip, and a shallow stromboid notch. The shell is valued as an ornament, and because it is heavy and compact, it is also often used as a sinker for fishing nets.

<i>Vasum cassiforme</i> Species of gastropod

Vasum cassiforme, common name the helmet vase, is a species of medium to large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Turbinellidae.

<i>Scaphella</i> Genus of gastropods

Scaphella is a genus of large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Volutidae, the volutes.

<i>Voluta</i> Genus of gastropods

Voluta is a genus of medium to large sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Volutidae, the volutes.

<i>Voluta musica</i> Species of gastropod

Voluta musica, common name the music volute, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Volutidae, the volutes.

<i>Voluta virescens</i> Species of gastropod

Voluta virescens, common name the green music volute, is a species of medium-sized sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Volutidae, the volutes.

<i>Titanostrombus goliath</i> Species of gastropod

Titanostrombus goliath, previously known as Lobatus goliath and Strombus goliath, common name the goliath conch, is a species of very large edible sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs. T. goliath is one of the largest mollusks of the Western Atlantic Ocean, and also one of the largest species among the Strombidae. It was once considered endemic to Brazil, but specimens have also been recently found in the waters of Barbados. Brazilian common names for this species include búzio de chapéu or búzio, and búzio de aba or buzo in. Some phylogenetic hypotheses consider T. goliath as closely related to the queen conch, Aliger gigas.

<i>Amoria undulata</i> Species of gastropod

Amoria undulata, common name wavy volute, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Volutidae, the volutes.

<i>Amoria zebra</i> Species of gastropod

Amoria zebra, common name the zebra volute, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Volutidae, the volutes.

<i>Harpulina lapponica</i> Species of gastropod

Harpulina lapponica is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Volutidae, the volutes.

<i>Voluta garciai</i> Species of gastropod

Voluta garciai is a species of medium-sized sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Volutidae, the volutes.

<i>Voluta kotorai</i> Species of gastropod

Voluta kotorai is a species of medium-sized sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Volutidae, the volutes.

<i>Voluta retemirabilis</i> Species of gastropod

Voluta retemirabilis is a species of medium-sized sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Volutidae, the volutes.

<i>Voluta harasewychi</i> Species of gastropod

Voluta harasewychi is a species of medium-sized sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Volutidae, the volutes.

<i>Voluta hilli</i> Species of gastropod

Voluta hilli is a species of medium-sized sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Volutidae, the volutes.

<i>Voluta sunderlandi</i> Species of gastropod

Voluta sunderlandi is a species of medium-sized sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Volutidae, the volutes.

Voluta hamiltonensis is an extinct species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Volutidae, the volutes.

References

  1. ↑ Linnaeus, C. (1758). Systema Naturae . 10th ed., vol. 1: 824 pp. Laurentii Salvii, Holmiae
  2. ↑ Rosenberg, G. (2009). "Malacolog 4.1.1: A Database of Western Atlantic Marine Mollusca" . Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  3. ↑ Bail, P.; Bouchet, P.; Gofas, S.; Rosenberg, G. (2009). "World Register of Marine Species". Voluta ebraea Linnaeus, 1758. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  4. ↑ Lamarck, J.-B. (1811). "Suite de la détermination des espèces de Mollusques Testacés. Volute. (Voluta.)". Annales du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle. 17: 54–80.
  5. ↑ Kiener, L. C. (1839). "Genre Volute. (Voluta, Lam.)". Spécies Général et Iconographie des Coquilles Vivantes3: 70 pp., 52 pls.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Rios, E. C. (1994). Seashells of Brazil (2nd ed.). Rio Grande: FURG. ISBN   85-85042-36-2.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Conquiliologistas do Brasil" . Retrieved 28 September 2009.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Rios, E. C. (1990). "Gastrópodes endêmicos do Brasil". Siratus (in Portuguese). 1 (4). São Paulo, Brasil: Conquiliologistas do Brasil: 7–10. ISSN   0103-5606.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dias, T. L. P. (2009). "First field study of the Brazilian endemic marine gastropod Voluta ebraea (Mollusca: Volutidae)" (PDF). Marine Biodiversity Records. 2. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. Bibcode:2009MBdR....2E..10D. doi:10.1017/s1755267208000109.
  10. 1 2 Clench, W. J.; Turner, R. D. (1964). "The subfamilies Volutinae, Zidoninae, Odontocymbiolinae and Calliotectinae in the Western Atlantic". Johnsonia. 4 (43). Massachusetts: Cambridge: 144–145.
  11. ↑ Martinez, A. S.; Mendes, L. F.; Leite, T. S. (2009). "Richness and distribution of epibenthic molluscs on a sandstone reef in the northeast of Brazil" (PDF). Anais do III Congresso Latino Americano de Ecologia. SEB: 1–3.
  12. 1 2 3 Castro, Í. B.; et al. (2008). "Imposex in endemic volutid from Northeast Brazil (Mollusca: Gastropoda)" (PDF). Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology. 51 (5). Brazil: 1065–1069. doi: 10.1590/s1516-89132008000500024 . ISSN   1516-8913.
  13. ↑ Motta, S. S.; Pinheiro, J. C. L.; Mathews-Cascon, H. (2004). "Comportamento predatório de Voluta ebraea Linnaeus, 1758 MOLLUSCA: GASTROPODA: VOLUTIDAE em condições de laboratório" (PDF). Resumos do XXV Congresso Brasileiro de Zoologia (in Portuguese). Brasília: 292.
  14. ↑ Matthews, H. R. (1968). "Molluscs found in the digestive tract of the fish Amphichthys cryptocentrus (Valenciennes, 1837)". Proceedings of the Malacological Society of London. 38 (3): 247–250.
  15. ↑ Rocha, C. A.; et al. (1997). "Fauna e flora acompanhantes da pesca da lagosta no nordeste do Brasil". Boletim Técnico-Científico do CEPENE (in Portuguese). 5 (1). Pernambuco, Brasil: CEPENE: 11–22.
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