Laevistrombus maxwelli
A distinct true conch with a heavy, glossy shell.
Laevistrombus maxwelli is a marine gastropod mollusk belonging to the family Strombidae, the true conches. It stands apart from other members of its genus due to several distinctive features.
The species was named in honor of Stephen J. Maxwell, a researcher at James Cook University in Cairns, Australia, whose work on the Strombidae family led to his surname being included in the scientific name.
The shell of *L. maxwelli* is smooth, glossy, and heavy for its size, with a broad shape relative to its length. Its form is a triangulated oval, and the aperture is wider at the back and narrower toward the front. The lip around the aperture is thick and curves upward toward the second suture, while the columella is also thick, extending from its center to the front. The upper body whorl is globe-shaped, and the spire is both taller and wider than in related species.
The dorsal surface and the area near the outer lip are white, while the last body whorl shows a tan color that becomes lighter near the inner lip. Darker markings appear on the body whorls.
A study comparing this species to others in the genus *Laevistrombus* found that *L. maxwelli* is morphologically very distinct. In that study, shell length ranged from 54.0 mm to 63.4 mm, and shell width from 38.0 mm to 43.8 mm.
*L. maxwelli* occurs along the coast from Chonburi to Trat province in the Gulf of Thailand, as well as in northern Borneo and the southern Philippines. Its type locality is Chonburi, in the northeastern Gulf of Thailand. The original holotype and additional paratypes were collected on the surface of, or buried in, sand at low tide.
Quick Facts
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- Laevistrombus maxwelli
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Laevistrombus maxwelli was named after Stephen J. Maxwell of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at James Cook University in Cairns, Australia. His surname was credited into the species' finalized binomial name due to his devotion and studying of the family Strombidae.
The shell is smooth, glossy, heavy for its size, and broad relative to its length. Its structure is a triangulated ovate, with an aperture that is wider at the back and narrower in the front. The lip surrounding the aperture is thick, curving up towards the second suture, and the columella is also very thick from its center to its anterior. The upper body whorl is globose, and the spire is higher and wider compared to other species of the same genus. Dorsal color and the color toward the outer lip is white, though on the last body whorl the tan color is lighter towards the inner lip, with darker coloration on the body whorls.
A morphological investigation comparing this species to others in the genus Laevistrombus concluded that L. maxwelli is very distinct. In that study, shell length ranged from 54.0 mm to 63.4 mm, and shell width from 38.0 mm to 43.8 mm. The initial holotype and additional paratypes were caught on the surface of and buried in sand at low tide.
Reader's Guide
Laevistrombus maxwelli holds significance as a morphologically distinct species within the genus Laevistrombus, clearly separated from its congeners by its unique shell characteristics. Its description adds to the understanding of true conch diversity in the Gulf of Thailand and adjacent waters. The species was named in honor of Stephen J. Maxwell, recognizing his contributions to the study of the family Strombidae. The type locality is Chonburi, northeast of the Gulf of Thailand, and the species is also known from northern Borneo and the southern Philippines. The holotype and paratypes were collected from sandy substrates at low tide, either on the surface or buried. The detailed description of its heavy, glossy, triangulated ovate shell with a thick lip and columella, along with its distinctive color pattern, provides a clear basis for identification. The documented size range (shell length 54.0–63.4 mm, width 38.0–43.8 mm) further aids in distinguishing it from related forms. This species contributes to the biogeographic knowledge of strombid snails in Southeast Asia.
More in Marine Snails: Ceriths, Nassas and Conchs, Part 2 1-24
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