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Xenophora (subgenus)
''Xenophora'', commonly called carrier shells, is a genus of medium-sized to large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Xenophoridae, the carrier snails or carrier shells. WoRMS (2012). Xenophora. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=138664 on 2012-06-28 The genus ''Xenophora'' is the type genus of the family Xenophoridae. Etymology The name ''Xenophora'' comes from two ancient Greek words, and means "bearing foreigners", so-called because in most species the snail cements pieces of rock or shells to its own shell at regular intervals as the shell grows. Description The shells of species within this genus vary from small to large (diameter of base without attachments 19-90 mm; height of shell 21-60 mm), depressed-conical, with narrow to very narrow, simple peripheral edge, non-porcellanous ventrally. Foreign objects are attached to all whorls, with generally more than 30% of dorsal surfa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Xenophora Pallidula
''Xenophora pallidula'' is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Xenophoridae, the carrier shells. Description Xenophora pallidula, also known as the Pallid Carrier Shells, are relatively small, averaging about 68-78mm in length and 72-82mm in width. These snails have a light appearance, usually white or off-white in color. These snails get their name from the Latin word, Xenophoridae which means “foreign carrying”. In other words, these species will attach objects like coral skeletons, fragmented shells, and other debris to the dorsal side of their shell. These attachments often create a radial pattern around the whorls. While this is a commonality amongst the species in this family, the Xenophora pallidula are known to cover more of their shell than other species in the family, with over half their shell hidden. And as the organism grows, there will be more and larger foreign material attached. This is not energetically favorable as the sn ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
