Strawberry top shell

Description

Clanculus puniceus, common names the strawberry top shell or purplish clanculus, is a species of small sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Trochidae, the top shells. The size of an adult shell of Clanculus puniceus varies between 13 mm and 22 mm. These small, robust shells are wide-conical, low spired and have a granulated coral red surface, with a pattern of small black and white dots. In shape, size, color, and sculpture, the shell of this species is reminiscent of that of a small strawberry, hence the common name. The body whorl bears 20 or 21 cinguli, of which the 4th and 9th, as well as one or two upon the base, are articulated with black. The aperture is oval, with a strongly ridged lip. The shell is pearly (has nacre) on the inside. This species differs from Clanculus pharaonius in being more finely granulate. Moreover, the body whorl is more deflected anteriorly than in Clanculus pharonius. This species occurs in the Indian Ocean off Madagascar, the Mascarene Basin, Mozambique, KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) and Tanzania. These sea snails live on rock in eulittoral zone. Clanculus is a genus of sea snail, marine gastropod molluscs of the family Trochidae, the top shells. Clanculus is an old genus. Fossils found in Italy date from the Pliocene (C. corallinus, C. elevatus, C. bonfittoi, C. jussieui) The distribution of this genus is worldwide, individuals of some species sometimes occur in great numbers, from the intertidal zone up to depths of 200 m. Many species can be found in Australia, New Zealand, the Indo-Pacific, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Japan, South Africa, Zanzibar, Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, West Africa, Angola, North Africa and Europe. These top shells are wide-conical and low spired. Their spirally ribbed sculpture consists of conspicuous regular rows of robust, round beads. The whorls show a profile with a deep suture and the final whorl inflated. The aperture of the shell is oval, with a strongly ridged lip. The umbilicus is generally deep. The color of the shell varies between orange, dark red, and chocolate brown.