Stomatolina
A genus of marine gastropod mollusks in the family Trochidae.
Stomatolina is a genus of marine gastropod mollusks, specifically sea snails, belonging to the family Trochidae, commonly known as top snails. Its shell is depressed, noticeably flattened on both the upper and lower surfaces, and features a distinctly oblique opening. The shell’s surface is marked by many spiral elements: several low ridges, a greater number of finer riblets, and even more numerous fine spiral grooves between them. These grooves are occasionally crossed by growth lines, creating a crisscross pattern. This genus is found in the Red Sea, across Indo-Malaysia, Oceania, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Korea, the Philippines, and parts of Australia (Northern Territory and Queensland). Recognized species include *Stomatolina angulata*, *S. arabica*, *S. calliostoma*, *S. danblumi*, *S. irisata*, *S. mariei*, *S. rubra*, and *S. rufescens*. The Indo-Pacific Molluscan Database additionally lists *Stomatolina orbiculata*. *Stomatolina scitula* is considered a synonym of *Stomatella modesta*. Several other names are treated as *taxa inquirenda*: *S. acuminata*, *S. compta*, *S. crenulata*, *S. exquisita*, *S. fulgurans*, *S. japonica*, *S. lirata*, *S. malukana*, *S. sanguinea*, *S. speciosa*, and *S. tigrina*.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Stomatolina
- Type Species
- Stomatella rufescens
- Type Species Authority
- Gray, 1847
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The genus Stomatolina belongs to the family Trochidae, commonly known as top snails. Its shell is described as depressed, being rather flattened both above and below, with an aperture that is quite oblique. The sculpture of the shell is composed of numerous spirals, among which several have low carinae, along with more numerous intermediate riblets and still more numerous interstitial spiral striae. These spiral elements are sometimes decussated by growth lines, adding to the shell's texture.
Reader's Guide
Stomatolina is a genus within the Trochidae family, documented in the source article as occurring in the Red Sea and across the Indo-Pacific region, including Indo-Malaysia, Oceania, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Korea, the Philippines, and Australia (Northern Territory and Queensland). The article lists numerous species, such as Stomatolina angulata, Stomatolina arabica, and Stomatolina rubra, among others. It also notes taxa inquirenda and synonyms, including Stomatolina scitula as a synonym of Stomatella modesta. The genus is significant for its distinctive shell morphology, with a depressed shape and complex spiral sculpture, which contributes to the diversity of marine gastropods in the Trochidae family.
Did You Know?
- Stomatolina is a genus of sea snails in the family Trochidae.
- The shell is depressed, rather flattened above and below, with an oblique aperture.
- The sculpture includes numerous spirals with low carinae, intermediate riblets, and interstitial spiral striae.
- The genus occurs in the Red Sea and off Indo-Malaysia, Oceania, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Korea, the Philippines, and Australia.
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