Clanculus bronni

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Mollusca · Class: Gastropoda · Order: Trochida · Family: Trochidae · Genus: Clanculus.

Accepted name: Clanculus bronni · Authority: (Dunker, 1860) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 547250.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Clanculus (Eucheliclanculus) bronni (Dunker, 1860); Clanculus granosus Brazier, 1877; Clanculus hizenensis Pilsbry, 1901; Clanculus hizenensis var. fraterculus Pilsbry, 1904; Eucheliclanculus bronni (Dunker, 1860); Monodonta (Euchelus) bronni Dunker, 1860; Monodonta bronni Dunker, 1860.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=547250 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)

Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Clanculus bronni. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Depth range: 0–20 m · Habitat zone: demersal.

SeaLifeBase notes: Found under rubble (Ref. 75835).

Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 105275) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Clanculus-bronni.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

131 georeferenced occurrence records for Clanculus bronni are published through GBIF from 11 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 45 distinct locations from a sample of 131 records, omitting 12 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Australia (47); Japan (38); American Samoa (14); Niue (13); Hong Kong (8); China (4); New Caledonia (2); Philippines (2); Papua New Guinea (1); Solomon Islands (1); Tonga (1).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 5859806) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=5859806&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=547250 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The size of the shell varies between 5 mm and 7 mm. The perforate shell has a globose-conoid shape. It is brownish and white variegated. The six whorls are convex, the last subangulate toward the base. The base of the shell is planoconvex. The narrow umbilicus crenated. The aperture is subrotund. The lip is costate within. The oblique columella terminates in a thick tooth.

The subspecies Clanculus bronni ssp. fraterculus H. A. Pilsbry, 1904 (synonym: Clanculus hizenensis fraterculus Pilsbry, 1904 - original combination) is described by Pilsbry as trochiform with a flattened base. The ground color is nearly white, radially maculated with brown on the upper surface and smaller spots interposed between the others at the peripheral region. The base has paler small spots on the ribs, sometimes partially arranged in radial stripes. The 5½ or 6 whorls are convex and parted by a narrow, deep suture. The apical 1½ whorls are uniform, the next whorls irregularly dotted with pink on a pale buff-brown ground.

This marine species occurs in the Indo-Pacific and off Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia (Northern Territory, Queensland)

Source: Wikipedia: Clanculus bronni — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clanculus_bronni (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.