Phorcus turbinatus
Species of gastropod
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phorcus turbinatus, common name the turbinate monodont, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Trochidae, the top snails.[2][3]
| Phorcus turbinatus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Five views of a shell of Phorcus turbinatus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Vetigastropoda |
| Order: | Trochida |
| Family: | Trochidae |
| Subfamily: | Cantharidinae |
| Genus: | Phorcus |
| Species: | P. turbinatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Phorcus turbinatus | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Description
The size of the shell varies between 15 mm and 43 mm. The very solid and thick, imperforate shell has a conical shape. It is whitish, tinged with gray, yellowish or greenish, tessellated with numerous spiral series of reddish, purple or chocolate sub-quadrangular blotches. The conoid spire is more or less elevated. The apex is eroded. The about 6 whorls are slightly convex, with impressed spiral lines between the series of blotches, the last generally descending anteriorly. The base of the shell is eroded in front of the aperture. The aperture is very oblique. The thick, smooth outer lip is beveled to an edge. It is pearly and iridescent within. The columella is flattened on the face, bluntly lobed within, pearly, backed by an opaque white layer.[4]
Distribution
This marine species occurs in the following locations:[2]
- Mediterranean Sea
- Greek Exclusive Economic Zone
- Portuguese Exclusive Economic Zone
- Spanish Exclusive Economic Zone (Spain, Canary Islands)
