Kingdom Animalia Superfamily Buccinoidea Subfamily Peristerniinae Scientific name Opeatostoma pseudodon Rank Species | Class Gastropoda Family Fasciolariidae Genus Opeatostoma Phylum Mollusca | |
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Similar Latirus polygonus, Pseudolatirus, Dolicholatirus, Chryseofusus, Latirus | ||
Opeatostoma pseudodon, common name the Thorn Latirus or Banded Tooth Latirus or Red Footed Conch, is a species of predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Fasciolariidae, the tulip snails and spindle snails.
Contents
Distribution
This species is present in the western coast of America, in the Southern Baja California, from Mexico to Peru and in Galápagos.
Description
Shells of Opeatostoma pseudodon can reach a length of about 29–75 millimetres (1.1–3.0 in). These shells are white or brown with thin brown or black stripes. The body of the snail is reddish. This species has the longest apertural teeth developed by any gastropod. By means of their long spines or thorns (hence the common name) growing from the tip of the snail's opening they anchor themselves in the sandy and coral rubble substrate.
Behavior
These snails live under rocks, usually partially buried in coral sand. They are active nocturnally. They mainly feed on small worms and on other gastropods.