Thylacodes squamigerus
Species of gastropod
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thylacodes squamigerus, common name the scaled worm snail, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Vermetidae, the worm snails. This species was previously known as Serpulorbis squamigerus.[1][2]
| Thylacodes squamigerus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A view of the shell of a live Thylacodes squamigerus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Littorinimorpha |
| Family: | Vermetidae |
| Genus: | Thylacodes |
| Species: | T. squamigerus |
| Binomial name | |
| Thylacodes squamigerus (Carpenter, 1856) | |
Description
The shell of the scaled worm snail is often cemented into colonies and is a uniquely sedentary snail.[3] These shells can grow up to about 5 in (12.7 cm) long and 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wide. The growth of the shell is irregular as it shapes to the surface it is attached to. The opening of the shell has no operculum and faces upward. The color of the shell is gray or pinkish. Scaly, longitudinal ribs run along the shell, giving the worm snail its common name.[4]
Distribution and habitat
The scaled worm snail lives along the Pacific coast of North America[3], from California to Baja California.[4] In 2013 to 2015, the marine heatwave given the name the Blob was documented to have allowed for a northern push of the worm snail to regions of California it had previously not been observed in.[5]
Within the scaled worm snail's range, it is found living attached to rock and dock pilings in protected areas. The worm snail can live at depths ranging from the intertidal zone to 20 m (65 ft).[4]