Calthalotia fragum
A marine gastropod mollusk in the family Trochidae.
Calthalotia fragum, also called the spotted strawberry top shell or the comtesse's top shell, is a marine gastropod mollusk belonging to the family Trochidae, which are the top snails. Adult shells of this species range from 8 mm to 25 mm in size. This sea snail is found in marine waters off southeast Australia, including Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales, as well as off Japan.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Calthalotia fragum
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The species was described in works by authors such as Wood (1828), Adams (1853), and Philippi (1855), among others. Its shell size varies between 8 mm and 25 mm in adult specimens. The article lists numerous references spanning from 1828 to 1993, indicating a long history of study.
Reader's Guide
The significance of Calthalotia fragum lies in its representation within the Trochidae family and its documented occurrence across multiple regions, including Southeast Australia, Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, and Japan. The species has been referenced in systematic works by Hickman & McLean (1990) and Wilson (1993), contributing to the taxonomic understanding of trochacean gastropods. Its common names—spotted strawberry top shell and comtesse's top shell—reflect its distinctive appearance. The article provides no further details on its ecological role or conservation status, but the extensive bibliography suggests it has been a subject of interest for malacologists over two centuries.
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