''Hexaplex erythrostomus'' is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
sea snail, a marine
gastropod mollusk
Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals after the Arthropoda, the members of which are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 85,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is e ...
in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
Muricidae
Muricidae is a large and varied taxonomic family of small to large predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks, commonly known as murex snails or rock snails. With about 1,600 living species, the Muricidae represent almost 10% of the Neoga ...
, the murex snails or rock snails.
Description
The shell of this species is globose and strong, ornamented with blunt spines. The aperture is circular. The siphonal canal is narrow, short and curved with decorations on the outside. The color of the outer part of the shell is white or shades of gray. The interior of the shell and the aperture is deep pink and glossy.
[González V. Luz María. 2005: Guía ilustrada de los gastropodos marinos de la Bahía de Tenacatati, Jalisco, Mexico. Scientia Cucba. 7(1):1-84.]
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Distribution
The species occurs on the west coast of Mexico from Baja California to Peru.
[Reyes Mejia, Alejandra. 2004: Base ee Datos de la Colección Biológica de la Secretaría de Marina Armada de México (Moluscos: Gasteropodos Y Bivalvos). Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Iztapalapa]
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Habitat
The species inhabits the intertidal and subtidal zones in sandy areas and sometimes on rocks
Gallery
File:Phyllonotus margaritensis.jpg, a shell of ''Hexaplex erythrostomus''
File:Hexaplex erythrostomus (2013-Veronidae) 000.jpg, a shell of ''Hexaplex erythrostomus''
File:Chicoreus erythrostomus shell 3.jpg, a shell of ''Hexaplex erythrostomus''
References
* Lesson, A., 1844. Description de quatre espèces nouvelles de Murex. Echo du Monde Savant 23: 536-539
* Merle D., Garrigues B. & Pointier J.-P. (2011) ''Fossil and Recent Muricidae of the world. Part Muricinae''. Hackenheim: Conchbooks. 648 pp.
External links
Biodiversity Heritage Library: Bibliography for "''Hexaplex erythrostomus''"ZipcodeZoo.com: ''Hexaplex erythrostomus''
*
Muricidae
Gastropods described in 1831
{{Muricidae-stub