Phrontis tiarula
A small scavenging marine snail of the Pacific coast.
Last updated
H. Zell · via Wikipedia: Phrontis tiarula · CC BY-SA 3.0
Phrontis tiarula, commonly known as the western mud nassa, is a small sea snail with gills and an operculum. It belongs to the family Nassariidae, which includes the nassa mud snails or dog whelks.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumMollusca
- ClassGastropoda
- SubclassCaenogastropoda
- OrderNeogastropoda
- FamilyNassariidae
- GenusPhrontis
- SpeciesPhrontis tiarula
Named by (Kiener, 1841)
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Phrontis tiarula (CC BY-SA 4.0) · order, family and genus agree with WoRMS AphiaID 1497938 (CC BY 4.0)
How big is it?
Largest length in the source, 0.02 m, next to a 1.8 m person.
Diagram: drawn by Codexery, schematic shapes to scale (not a likeness). Length: Wikipedia: Phrontis tiarula
Where the phrontis tiarula has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (1,222 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range. 64 inland records left out (institution coordinates). 1 isolated far-off record not drawn.
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain)
Quick Facts
- Common name
- western mud nassa
- Family
- Nassariidae
- Shell length range
- 9 mm (0.354 in) to 20 mm / 0.787 in
- Distribution
- Pacific Ocean from California to Mexico
- Feeding habits
- exclusively scavengers
Facts from the source article.
Background
The shell of Phrontis tiarula varies in length from 9 mm to 20 mm. This species is found in the Pacific Ocean, ranging from California to Mexico. These snails are exclusively scavengers, feeding on dead organic matter.
More in Marine Snails: Ceriths, Nassas and Conchs
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: Phrontis tiarula (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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