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Shell of marine snail Lunella torquata with the calcareous operculum in place Gastropod shell of the freshwater snail Viviparus contectus with corneous operculum in place. The operculum (Latin for 'cover, covering'; pl. opercula or operculums) is a corneous or calcareous anatomical structure like a trapdoor that exists in many (but not all) groups of sea snails and freshwater snails, and also ...
The main function of the epiphragm is to reduce water loss through the aperture during inactivity. [1] An operculum is a somewhat similar but permanent anatomical feature that is found in other clades of gastropods. The operculum serves some of the same functions as an epiphragm. Sometimes it protects the snail against predation.
This allows it to protect itself from dehydration, for several months if necessary. Once closed the operculum is flush with the opening of the shell. The operculum is attached to the dorsal surface of the rear of the foot of this gastropod, the body of which is wide and T-shaped, and the colour of which varies from spotted grey to greenish to ...
Turbinidae have a strong, thick calcareous operculum readily distinguishing them from the somewhat similar Trochidae or top snails, which have a corneous operculum. This strong operculum serves as a passive defensive structure against predators that try to enter by way of the aperture or that would break the shell at the outer lip.
The main function of this organ is disputed but it is believed to be used to test incoming water for silt and possible food particles or, in some species, for sensing the presence of light. It is a popular idea among malacologists that the presence of an osphradium should be a molluscan synapomorphy .
Turbo marmoratus, known as the green turban, the marbled turban or great green turban, is a large species of marine gastropod with a thick calcareous operculum in the family Turbinidae, the turban snails. [1] The shells of these large sea snails have a very thick layer of nacre; this species has been commercially fished as a source of mother of ...
Turbinella is a genus of very large sea snails with an operculum, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Turbinellinae of the family Turbinellidae. [2]These species are sometimes known as "chanks" or "chank shells".
Turbinella pyrum, common names the chank shell, sacred chank or chank, also known as the divine conch or referred to simply as a conch, is a species of very large sea snail with a gill and an operculum, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Turbinellidae. This species occurs in the Indian Ocean.