Black-lipped Conch

Black-lipped Conch
English Common Name
Black-lipped Conch
Scientific name
Strombus urceus
Taxonomy
Order: Hypsogastropoda, Family: Strombidae
Size
About 4 cm (length of its shell)
Species Distribution
Iriomote, Ishigaki, Miyako and Okinawa Islands
Okinawa Red List of Threatened Species:Vulnerable
Japan Red List of Threatened Species:Near Threatened
This species is found in eelgrass beds or bottoms with sand and gravel close to eelgrass beds in large tidal flats. This is a unique snail found in Zostera japonica and Halpdule pinifolia communities, and it feeds on algae. This species lays tape-like egg cases containing eggs. This snail is fecund, meaning it produces large number of offspring, and it is a primary consumer within shallow tropical waters. It has an important role as a food resource for other carnivorous animals.

Updated March 2019

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