Cancellaria the unique nutmeg shell

Cancellaria Shells  1/12/13  out

Cancellaria reticulata

Cancellaria reticulata are a species of medium-sized to large sea snails, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cancellariidae, the nutmeg snails.

(REF: Bouchet, P. (2010). Cancellaria reticulata (Linnaeus, 1767). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species)

The Common Nutmeg gastropod has a sturdy handsome shell which may reach a height of two inches. The surface color is white, pale yellow, or orange, with blotchy, orange-brown bands. The shell has six or seven swollen whorls (volutions, or turns, of the spire). The exterior of the shell is sculpted with vertical (longitudinal) ribs and revolving grooves. The twisted columella boasts two strong folds, or pleats. The upper fold is larger and spirally grooved. The outer lip has strong, even ridges on its inner surface.

Cancellaria snails are a vegetarian. They dwell in sand, in warm shallow seas ranging from North Carolina to Brazil. They prefer seas near coastal shelves at a depths of 20 to 30 feet.

(REF: Patricia B. Mitchell "Common Nutmeg: Well-Rounded Whorls")

Scientific classification

Domain: Eukaryota

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Mollusca

Class: Gastropoda

Subclass: Caenogastropoda

Order: Neogastropoda

Family: Cancellariidae

Genus: Cancellaria

Species: C. reticulata

Binomial name: Cancellaria Reticulata

Buccinella canulata Perry, 1811

Cancellaria (Cancellaria) Reticulata (Linnaeus, 1767)

Voluta Reticulata Linnaeus, 1767

I1-8

One approximately 1 inch Cancellaria Shell ..... .12


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