Lambis lambis
Species of gastropod
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lambis lambis, common name the spider conch, is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Strombidae, the true conchs.[1]
| Lambis lambis | |
|---|---|
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| Shell of a male Lambis lambis | |
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| Female Lambis lambis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Littorinimorpha |
| Family: | Strombidae |
| Genus: | Lambis |
| Species: | L. lambis |
| Binomial name | |
| Lambis lambis | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Distribution
This species is widespread in the Indo-West Pacific.[2][1]
Shell description
The maximum shell length for this species is up to 29 cm, and average length stands for 18 cm.[2] Lambis lambis has a very large, robust and heavy shell. One of its most striking characteristics is its flared outer lip, ornamented by six hollow marginal digitations. These digitations present subtle differences in shape between genders in this species, as the three anteriormost digitations are short and posteriorly bent in male individuals, and longer and dorsally recurved in females.[2] The color of the shell is highly variable, being white or cream externally and often presenting brown, purplish or bluish black patches. The interior is glazed and may be pink, orange or purple.[2][1]
Ecology
Gallery
Spider conch, Lambis lambis, anterior end to the right
Lambis lambis on a 1969 Indonesia postage stamp
