Clanculus undatoides
A marine snail endemic to Australia with a rose-colored, granulated shell.
Clanculus undatoides is a marine gastropod mollusk belonging to the family Trochidae, commonly known as top snails. This species is endemic to Australia, found off the coasts of New South Wales and Victoria.
The shell is rather small and somewhat solid, turbinately conical in shape, reaching 10 mm in both height and diameter. It is opaque, with a reddish-rose coloration marked by indistinct purple spots. The shell has 5½ flat whorls that increase rapidly in size, each bordered below by six spiral rows of rounded granules; the lowest row is the smallest, and the granules gradually enlarge toward the suture, which is coronate and broadly canaliculate. The base is flattened and decorated with eight spiral lines of closely set rose-colored granules. The rhomboid aperture has a thickened lip that is lirate on the inside. The columella features two blunt tubercles above and below, with small, obsolete teeth in between. The narrow umbilicus is white, with a fairly conspicuous white margin.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Clanculus undatoides
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The shell of Clanculus undatoides is rather small, somewhat solid, and turbinately conoid. It is opaque, reddish rose with indistinct purple spots. The 5½ flat whorls increase rapidly in size, margined below and girdled with six series of rounded granules, of which the lowest line is the smallest. The granules increase gradually in size to the suture, which is coronate and broadly canaliculate. The base is flattened, ornamented with eight spiral lines of close rose colored granules. The rhomboid aperture contains a thickened lip, which is lirate inside. The columella has two obtuse, blunt tubercles above and below, and intermediate small obsolete teeth. The narrow umbilicus is white, with a rather conspicuous white margin.
Reader's Guide
Clanculus undatoides is documented in several references, including Tenison-Woods (1879) and Hedley (1918), as well as Iredale & McMichael (1962), Wilson (1993), and Jansen (1995). These works establish its classification and distribution. The species is notable for its distinctive shell morphology: a reddish rose color with purple spots, a coronate suture, and a base with eight spiral lines of rose granules. Its columella features two obtuse tubercles and small obsolete teeth, and the umbilicus is white with a conspicuous white margin. The species is endemic to Australia, specifically recorded off New South Wales and Victoria. Its presence in the family Trochidae places it among the top snails, a group known for their often colorful and sculptured shells. The detailed description of its granules, whorls, and aperture provides a clear basis for identification within the genus Clanculus.
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