''Xenophora pallidula'', the pallid carrier shell, is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

of large

sea snail Sea snails are slow-moving marine (ocean), marine gastropod Mollusca, molluscs, usually with visible external shells, such as whelk or abalone. They share the Taxonomic classification, taxonomic class Gastropoda with slugs, which are distinguishe ...

, a marine

gastropod Gastropods (), commonly known as slugs and snails, belong to a large Taxonomy (biology), taxonomic class of invertebrates within the phylum Mollusca called Gastropoda (). This class comprises snails and slugs from saltwater, freshwater, and fro ...

mollusc Mollusca is a phylum of protostome, protostomic invertebrate animals, whose members are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 76,000 extant taxon, extant species of molluscs are recognized, making it the second-largest animal phylum ...

in the

family Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...

Xenophoridae Xenophoridae, common name, commonly called carrier shells, is a family (biology), family of medium-sized to large sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod mollusks in the clade Littorinimorpha. Distribution The Xenophorids live on sand and ...

, the carrier shells.

Description

''Xenophora pallidula'' are relatively small, averaging about 68-78mm in length and 72-82mm in width. These snails have a light appearance, usually white or off-white in color. These snails get their name from the Latin word, Xenophoridae which means “foreign carrying”. In other words, these species will attach objects like coral skeletons, fragmented shells, and other debris to the dorsal side of their shell. These attachments often create a radial pattern around the whorls. While this is a commonality amongst the species in this family, ''Xenophora pallidula'' are known to cover more of their shell than other species in the family, with over half their shell hidden. And as the organism grows, there will be more and larger foreign material attached. This is not energetically favorable as the snails secrete mucus, which acts as a glue to hold the material in position. Yet the layout of the shell is a source of protection in various ways. The unique shell makes it harder to put into a predator's mouth and swallow. Additionally, due to the type of objects glued to the shell, it serves as a method of camouflage amongst any debris. A spire is also attached to the shell of these snails and only adds to its intricacy. Most have a fairly high spire, with a spire angle ranging between 65 and 92 degrees.

Distribution

''Xenophora pallidula'' was originally found in the

Mascarene The Mascarene Islands (, ) or Mascarenes or Mascarenhas Archipelago is a group of islands in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar consisting of islands belonging to the Republic of Mauritius as well as the French department of Réunion. Their na ...

Basin in the Indian Ocean. Currently, they are found in tropical areas such as the Indo-Pacific ocean area. This species is commonly found in or near Australia, India, Nicobar Islands, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines and occasionally by South Africa. In these areas, the Xenophora pallidula is found in shallower waters of the benthic zone. They are commonly found at depths of 200 meters to 570 meters but can be as deep as 960 meters.

Ecology

As a part of the ''Xenophora'' genus, ''Xenophora pallidula'' are grazers that feed upon detritus from the sea floor. The snails are able to acquire food since they are mobile, even though it is limited. This marine species reproduce sexually and externally but are not hermaphroditic. Rather have individuals that identify with a distinct sex and have specific reproduction organs for the entirety of their lifespan. Once reproduction has begun, embryos develop into planktonic trochophore, which is a young larvae and then into the final larval stage before becoming fully grown adults.

References

External links

* Xenophoridae Gastropods described in 1842 {{Xenophoridae-stub