Lobatus peruvianus
A large Eastern Pacific conch with a heavy, ornamented shell.
Last updated
MerlinCharon · via Wikipedia: Lobatus peruvianus · Public domain
Lobatus peruvianus, commonly known as the Peruvian conch or the cock's comb conch, is a large sea snail in the family Strombidae. It is notable for its heavy, ornamented shell and its role as a protein source along the Pacific coast.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumMollusca
- ClassGastropoda
- SubclassCaenogastropoda
- OrderLittorinimorpha
- FamilyStrombidae
- GenusLobatus
- SpeciesLobatus peruvianus
Named by (Swainson, 1823)
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Lobatus peruvianus (CC BY-SA 4.0) · order, family and genus agree with WoRMS AphiaID 565367 (CC BY 4.0)
How big is it?
Largest length in the source, 0.21 m, next to a 1.8 m person.
Diagram: drawn by Codexery, schematic shapes to scale (not a likeness). Length: Wikipedia: Lobatus peruvianus
Where the lobatus peruvianus has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (134 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range. 22 inland records left out (institution coordinates).
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain) · place coordinates: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Background
Lobatus peruvianus was originally described by William Swainson in 1823, who noted the shell as heavy, with a depressed spire and a prominent tip. The shell ranges from 60 to 210 mm, with outer coloration in tan, light brown, or sometimes pink, while the inner and outer lips are cream, pink, or white. Like other members of Strombidae, the outer lip is very pronounced and ornamental.
This species is a sand dweller found in tropical coastal waters of the Eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Peru, at depths up to 130 feet. It moves using a large muscular foot that sinks like a claw into the sand, a behavior that also scatters its chemical trail to confuse predators. Peruvian conchs are slow-growing, taking around five years to reach maturity, and similar species in the genus have lifespans of up to 40 years, with most living between 10 and 30 years.
As an algivore, it scrounges the sea-floor for algae in shallow waters, occasionally feeding on detritus. The shells have historically been used as trumpets, and the animal is a major protein source for many groups along the Pacific coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lobatus peruvianus?
It is a large sea snail in the Strombidae family, widely known by the common names Peruvian conch and cock's comb conch. Its shells typically measure between 60 and 210 millimeters, making it one of the bigger strombids you'll encounter.
Where can I find Lobatus peruvianus in the wild?
This species ranges along the eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California and Mexican coasts southward through Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and into Peru. It is generally found in waters no deeper than about 130 feet.
More in Marine Snails: Ceriths, Nassas and Conchs
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Lobatus peruvianus (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Classification: the source article's taxobox; order, family and genus checked against WoRMS, the World Register of Marine Species (CC BY 4.0).
- Occurrence records: GBIF (CC0 / CC BY). Basemap: Natural Earth (public domain).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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