''Amoria undulata'', common name wavy volute, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
sea snail
Sea snail is a common name for slow-moving marine gastropod molluscs, usually with visible external shells, such as whelk or abalone. They share the taxonomic class Gastropoda with slugs, which are distinguished from snails primarily by the ...
, a marine
gastropod
The gastropods (), commonly known as snails and slugs, belong to a large taxonomic class of invertebrates within the phylum Mollusca called Gastropoda ().
This class comprises snails and slugs from saltwater, from freshwater, and from land. T ...
mollusk
Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals after the Arthropoda, the members of which are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 85,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is e ...
in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
Volutidae, the volutes.
Synonyms
* ''Amoria (Amoria) undulata'' (Lamarck, 1804)
* ''Amoria kingi''
Cox, 1871
* ''Scaphella moslemica''
Hedley, 1912
* ''Voluta angasii''
Sowerby II, 1864
* ''Voluta australiae''
(Cox, 1872)
* ''Voluta sclateri''
Cox, 1869
* ''Voluta undulata'' Lamarck, 1804 (
basionym
In the scientific name of organisms, basionym or basyonym means the original name on which a new name is based; the author citation of the new name should include the authors of the basionym in parentheses. The term "basionym" is used in both botan ...
)
Distribution
This marine species occurs off East Australia and
Tasmania
)
, nickname =
, image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdi ...
.
Description
The length of the shell varies between 60 mm and 120 mm.
[ These shells are elongated, fusiform, smooth and solid and roundly shouldered, with long pointed conical spire. Suture shows a callous edge. The aperture is elongate, salmon to orange in colour, with smooth outer lip, thickened in adults. The base colour of the external surface of the shell is fawn or white-cream, with thin axial wavy brown lines. Foot shows similar coloured zigzag lines and stripes.Guide to the systematic distribution of Mollusca in the British museum. Part I.]
/ref>
/ref>[Museum Victoria Collections]
/ref>
Habitat
These sea snails live intertidally on sand and mud, at depths of 9 to 503 m. They live in deeper waters in their northern range. They emerge only at night to feed.
/ref>
Biology
These gastropods are carnivore, mainly feeding on other sea snails. In the spring ''Amoria undulata'' migrates from deep water to shallow water sandbanks to breed. It lays egg masses similar to a hollow cylinder, with a diameter of . The embryos hatch as well developed juveniles and crawl away.[
]
Bibliography
* A. G. Hinton – Guide to Australian Shells
* Bail P. & Limpus A. (2001) ''The genus Amoria''. In: G.T. Poppe & K. Groh (eds) A conchological iconography. Hackenheim: Conchbooks. 50 pp., 93 pls
* Harald Douté, M. A. Fontana Angioy – Volutes, The Doute collection
* Wilson, B. (1993). Australian Marine Shells Part 2
References
External links
Encyclopedia of life
Discover Life
Volutidae
Gastropods described in 1804
Gastropods of Australia
{{Volutidae-stub