''Xenophora'', commonly called carrier shells, is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

of medium-sized to large sea

snails A snail is a shelled gastropod. The name is most often applied to land snails, terrestrial molluscs, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod molluscs. However, the common name ''snail'' is also used for most of the members of the molluscan class Gas ...

, 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 ...

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

s 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 snails or carrier shells.WoRMS (2012). Xenophora. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=138664 on 2012-06-28 The genus ''Xenophora'' is the type genus of the family Xenophoridae.

Etymology

The name ''Xenophora'' comes from two ancient Greek words, and means "bearing foreigners", so-called because in most species the snail cements pieces of rock or shells to its own shell at regular intervals as the shell grows.

Description

The shells of species within this genus vary from small to large (diameter of base without attachments 19–90 mm; height of shell 21–60 mm), depressed-conical, with narrow to very narrow, simple peripheral edge, non-porcellanous ventrally. Foreign objects are attached to all

whorls A whorl ( or ) is an individual circle, oval, volution or equivalent in a whorled pattern, which consists of a spiral or multiple concentric objects (including circles, ovals and arcs). In nature File:Photograph and axial plane floral diagram ...

, with generally more than 30% of dorsal surface obscured by these objects. The foreign objects are usually medium-sized to large.Kreipl, K. & Alf, A. (1999): ''Recent Xenophoridae''. 148 pp. incl. 28 color plts. ConchBooks, Hackenheim, . Although the foreign objects are usually mollusk shells, pebbles, or small pieces of coral rock, in some instances a bottle cap has been attached by the snail to its shell.

Species

The genus ''Xenophora'' includes the following species and subspecies: * ''

Xenophora minuta ''Xenophora'', commonly called carrier shells, is a genus of medium-sized to large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Xenophoridae, the carrier snails or carrier shells.WoRMS (2012). Xenophora. Accessed through: World Register ...

'' Qi & Ma, 1986 * ''

Xenophora robusta ''Xenophora'', commonly called carrier shells, is a genus of medium-sized to large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Xenophoridae, the carrier snails or carrier shells.WoRMS (2012). Xenophora. Accessed through: World Register ...

'' Verrill, 1870 ; Subgenus ''Xenophora (Austrophora)'' Kreipl, Alf & Kronenberg, 1999 * ''

Xenophora flindersi ''Xenophora flindersi'' is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Xenophoridae Xenophoridae, common name, commonly called carrier shells, is a family (biology), family of medium-sized to large sea snails, mari ...

'' (Cotton & Godfrey, 1938) ;Subgenus ''Xenophora (Xenophora)'' Fischer von Waldheim, 1807 * ''

Xenophora cerea ''Xenophora cerea'' is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Xenophoridae Xenophoridae, common name, commonly called carrier shells, is a family (biology), family of medium-sized to large sea snails, marine ( ...

'' ( Reeve, 1845) * ''

Xenophora chinensis ''Xenophora'', commonly called carrier shells, is a genus of medium-sized to large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Xenophoridae, the carrier snails or carrier shells.WoRMS (2012). Xenophora. Accessed through: World Register ...

Philippi Philippi (; , ''Phílippoi'') was a major Greek city northwest of the nearby island, Thasos. Its original name was Crenides (, ''Krēnĩdes'' "Fountains") after its establishment by Thasian colonists in 360/359 BC. The city was renamed by Phili ...

, 1841) * ''

Xenophora conchyliophora ''Xenophora conchyliophora'' is a species of medium-sized to large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Xenophoridae, the carrier shells. Distribution This is a Western Atlantic species. Description The maximum recorded shell ...

'' (

Born Born may refer to: * Childbirth * Born (surname), a surname (see also for a list of people with the name) * ''Born'' (comics), a comic book limited series Places * Born, Belgium, a village in the German-speaking Community of Belgium * Born, Luxe ...

, 1780) - American carriersnail (

type species In International_Code_of_Zoological_Nomenclature, zoological nomenclature, a type species (''species typica'') is the species name with which the name of a genus or subgenus is considered to be permanently taxonomically associated, i.e., the spe ...

of ''Xenophora'') * ''

Xenophora corrugata ''Xenophora corrugata'' is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Xenophoridae, the carrier shells. Description The length of the shell attains 35 mm, its diameter 38.5 mm. The spire is moderately high, broadly ...

'' ( Reeve, 1842) * ''

Xenophora crispa ''Xenophora crispa'', the Mediterranean Carrier Shell, is a species of large sea snail, a marine (ocean), marine gastropod mollusk in the family (biology), family Xenophoridae, the carrier shells. Fossil record There are currently 16 known spe ...

'' (König, 1825) * ''

Xenophora granulosa ''Xenophora'', commonly called carrier shells, is a genus of medium-sized to large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Xenophoridae, the carrier snails or carrier shells.WoRMS (2012). Xenophora. Accessed through: World Register ...

'' Ponder, 1983 * ''

Xenophora japonica ''Xenophora'', commonly called carrier shells, is a genus of medium-sized to large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Xenophoridae, the carrier snails or carrier shells.WoRMS (2012). Xenophora. Accessed through: World Register ...

'' Kuroda & Habe in Kuroda et al., 1971 *''

Xenophora konoi ''Xenophora'', commonly called carrier shells, is a genus of medium-sized to large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Xenophoridae, the carrier snails or carrier shells.WoRMS (2012). Xenophora. Accessed through: World Register ...

'' Habe, 1953 *''

Xenophora mekranensis ''Xenophora mekranensis'' is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Xenophoridae Xenophoridae, common name, commonly called carrier shells, is a family (biology), family of medium-sized to large sea snails, ma ...

'' (Newton, 1905) * '' Xenophora neozelanica'' Suter, 1908 - New Zealand carriershell ** ''Xenophora neozelandica neozelandica'' Suter, 1908 ** ''Xenophora neozelandica kermadecensis'' Ponder, 1983 * ''

Xenophora pallidula ''Xenophora pallidula'', the pallid carrier shell, is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Xenophoridae, the carrier shells. Description ''Xenophora pallidula'' are relatively small, averaging about 68-78mm in ...

'' ( Reeve, 1842) - pallid carrier shell * '' Xenophora peroniana'' (Iredale, 1929) ** ''Xenophora peroniana peroniana'' (Iredale, 1929) ** ''Xenophora peroniana kondoi'' Ponder 1983 * ''

Xenophora senegalensis ''Xenophora senegalensis'' is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Xenophoridae Xenophoridae, common name, commonly called carrier shells, is a family (biology), family of medium-sized to large sea snails, m ...

'' Fischer, 1873 * '' Xenophora sinensis'' Qi & Li, 1986 * ''

Xenophora solarioides ''Xenophora solarioides'' is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Xenophoridae Xenophoridae, common name, commonly called carrier shells, is a family (biology), family of medium-sized to large sea snails, ma ...

'' ( Reeve, 1845) * ''

Xenophora tenuis ''Xenophora tenuis'' is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Xenophoridae Xenophoridae, common name, commonly called carrier shells, is a family (biology), family of medium-sized to large sea snails, marine ...

'' Fulton, 1938 ;Species brought into synonymy: * Subgenus ''Xenophora'' (''Stellaria'') Möller, 1832: synonym of ''

Stellaria ''Stellaria'' is a genus of about 190 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, with a cosmopolitan distribution. Common names include starwort, stitchwort and chickweed. Description ''Stellaria'' species are relatively small ...

'' Möller, 1832 * ''Xenophora (Stellaria) testigera'' (Bronn, 1831): synonym of ''

Stellaria testigera ''Stellaria testigera'', common name finger carrier shell, is a species of large sea snail, a marine (ocean), marine gastropod mollusk in the family (biology), family Xenophoridae, the carrier shells. Subspecies * ''Stellaria testigera profunda' ...

'' (Bronn, 1831) * ''Xenophora australis'' Souverbie & Montrouzier, 1870: synonym of ''Xenophora (Xenophora) solarioides'' (Reeve, 1845) * ''Xenophora calculifera'' (Reeve, 1843): synonym of ''

Stellaria chinensis ''Stellaria chinensis'' is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Xenophoridae, the carrier shells. Description Similarly to other species within the family of the Carrier Shells, the beautiful sea snail collects ...

'' (Philippi, 1841) * ''Xenophora caperata'' sensu Petit de la Saussaye, 1857: synonym of ''Xenophora (Xenophora) senegalensis'' Fischer, 1873 * ''Xenophora caribaea'' Petit de la Saussaye, 1857 - Caribbean carriersnail: synonym of '' Onustus caribaeus'' (Petit de la Saussaye, 1857) * ''Xenophora cavelieri'' Rochebrune, 1883: synonym of ''Xenophora (Xenophora) senegalensis'' Fischer, 1873 * ''Xenophora digitata'' Martens, 1878: synonym of ''Stellaria testigera digitata'' Martens, 1878 * ''Xenophora gigantea'' (Schepman, 1909): synonym of ''

Stellaria gigantea ''Stellaria gigantea'' is a species of large sea snail, a marine (ocean), marine gastropod mollusk in the family (biology), family Xenophoridae, the carrier shells. Description Distribution References

* Kilburn R.N. (1973). ''Notes on s ...

'' (Schepman, 1909) * ''Xenophora helvacea'' Philippi, 1851: synonym of ''

Onustus indicus ''Onustus indicus'' is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Xenophoridae, the carrier shells. Description Distribution ''Onustus indicus'' is distributed in the tropical Indian Ocean (excluding Arabian Sea), ...

'' (Gmelin, 1791) * ''Xenophora indica'' (Gmelin, 1791): synonym of ''

'' (Gmelin, 1791) * ''Xenophora japonica'' Kuroda & Habe, 1971: synonym of ''Xenophora (Xenophora) japonica'' Kuroda & Habe, 1971 * ''Xenophora konoi'' Habe, 1953: synonym of ''Xenophora (Xenophora) mekranensis konoi'' Habe, 1953 * ''Xenophora laevigata'' Fischer von Waldheim, 1807: synonym of ''Xenophora (Xenophora) conchyliophora'' (Born, 1780) * ''Xenophora lamberti'' Souverbie, 1871: synonym of ''

Stellaria lamberti ''Stellaria lamberti'' is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Xenophoridae Xenophoridae, common name, commonly called carrier shells, is a family (biology), family of medium-sized to large sea snails, mari ...

'' (Souverbie, 1871) * ''Xenophora longleyi'' Bartsch, 1931 - shingled carriersnail: synonym of ''

Onustus longleyi ''Onustus longleyi'' is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Xenophoridae, the carrier shells. Description These sea snails are usually a white-cream color, with a cream underside. Their spire is rather smoot ...

'' Bartsch, 1931 * ''Xenophora meandrina'' Fischer von Waldheim, 1807: synonym of ''Xenophora (Xenophora) conchyliophora'' (Born, 1780) * ''Xenophora mediterranea'' Tiberi, 1863: synonym of ''Xenophora (Xenophora) crispa'' (König, 1825) * ''Xenophora neozelanica'' Suter, 1908: synonym of ''Xenophora (Xenophora) neozelanica neozelanica'' Suter, 1908 * ''Xenophora regularis'' Habe & Okutani, 1983 : synonym of ''Xenophora (Xenophora) granulosa'' Ponder, 1983 * ''Xenophora tenuis'' Hirase, 1934: synonym of ''Xenophora (Xenophora) tenuis'' Fulton, 1983 * ''Xenophora torrida'' Kuroda & Ito, 1961 : synonym of ''Xenophora (Xenophora) cerea'' (Reeve, 1845) * ''Xenophora tricostata'' Fischer von Waldheim, 1807: synonym of ''Xenophora (Xenophora) conchyliophora'' (Born, 1780) * ''Xenophora tulearensis'' Stewart & Kosuge, 1993: synonym of ''Xenophora (Xenophora) corrugata'' (Reeve, 1842) * ''Xenophora vulcanica'' Fischer von Waldheim, 1807: synonym of ''Xenophora (Xenophora) conchyliophora'' (Born, 1780) * ''Xenophora wagneri'' Philippi, 1855: synonym of ''

'' (Gmelin, 1791)

Extinct species

Extinct species within this genus include: Paleobiology Database
/ref> *

† A dagger, obelisk, or obelus is a typographical mark that usually indicates a footnote if an asterisk has already been used. The symbol is also used to indicate death (of people) or extinction (of species or languages). It is one of the mo ...

''Xenophora carditigera'' Nielsen and DeVries 2002 *

''Xenophora cummulans'' Brongniart 1823 *

''Xenophora delecta'' Guppy 1876 *

''Xenophora deshayesi ''Michelotti 1847 *

''Xenophora eocenica'' Abbass 1967 *

''Xenophora floridana'' Mansfield 1930 *

''Xenophora infundibulum'' (Brocchi, 1814) *

''Xenophora palaeoafra'' Gliozzi and Malatesta 1983 *

''Xenophora paulinae'' Nielsen and DeVries 2002 *

''Xenophora rugata'' Abbass 1967 *

''Xenophora tatei'' Harris 1897 *

''Xenophora terpstrai'' Dey 1961 *

''Xenophora textilina'' Dall 1892

Fossil record

Fossils of ''Xenophora'' are found in marine strata from the

Cretaceous The Cretaceous ( ) is a geological period that lasted from about 143.1 to 66 mya (unit), million years ago (Mya). It is the third and final period of the Mesozoic Era (geology), Era, as well as the longest. At around 77.1 million years, it is the ...

Quaternary The Quaternary ( ) is the current and most recent of the three periods of the Cenozoic Era in the geologic time scale of the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS), as well as the current and most recent of the twelve periods of the ...

(age range: from 89.3 to 0.012 million years ago.). Fossils are known all over the world.G. Manganelli, V. Spadini, S. Cianfanelli

References

* Kreipl K. & Alf A. (1999). ''Recent Xenophoridae''. Conchbooks, Hackenheim > Germany. 148pp.

External links

Ladd, H.S. (1977). Cenozoic fossil mollusks from western Pacific islands; Gastropods (Eratoidae through Harpidae). U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper. 533: i–iv, 1–84, pls 1–23

Ponder W.F. (1983). ''A revision of the Recent Xenophoridae of the World and of the Australian Fossil Species (Mollusca : Gastropoda)''. Memoir 17. The Australian Museum Sydney, Australia
{{Authority control Xenophoridae Extant Coniacian first appearances