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Family Colubrariidae - dwarf tritons
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Class |
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Gastropoda |
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No. of Genera in Ref. |
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3 |
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No. of Species in Ref. |
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Environment |
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Fresh : No |
Brackish : No |
Marine : Yes |
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Remark |
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Shell thick, elongate-fusiform in shape. Spire tall, with many convex whorls. Outer sculpture of discontinuous axial varices, and intersecting axial and spiral cords producing a finely granulose or reticulated surface. Aperture rather small, with a short, recurved, anterior siphonal canal and an indistinct posterior sinus. Outer lip thickened, toothed inside. Inner lip glazed and calloused, often somewhat flaring anteriorly. Operculum corneous, with an anterior nucleus. Head with a small mouth and vestigial or absent radula. Cephalic tentacles bearing eyes on swellings of their outer bases. Foot bluntly truncate anteriorly. Found among rocks or corals, and often burying themselves in sand. Low intertidal to shelf zones, mainly in the tropics. Biology poorly known. Prey probably swallowed by suction. Sexes separate. Development likely with a planktonic larval stage. Locally collected for subsistence (Ref. 348). |
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