Classification / Names Common names | Synonyms | CoL | ITIS | WoRMS

Gastropoda | Neomphalida | Peltospiridae

Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range Ecology

Bathydemersal; depth range 2415 - 2785 m (Ref. 127001). Subtropical

Distribution Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Western Indian Ocean. Mauritius (Ref 127040).

Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age

Maturity: L_m ? range ? - ? cm

Short description Morphology

This species has a unique characteristics among gastropods, it carries hundreds of dermal sclerites on its foot. Sclerites: curved, elongate, proteinaceous, not calcified; ca. 1x 5 mm in size in adults; white to mettalic black depending on extent of iron sulphide coating; newly grown sclerites milky white. Ferrimagnetic when coated with iron sulphide layer. Shell: three whorls, globose with depressed spire, tighly coiled. Aperture elliptic, very large. Operculum: present in metapodium buried under layers of sclerites; multispiral, concentric in juveniles while curved, bent shape in adults.

Populations are found in hydrothermal vents several miles below the ocean surrounded with toxic chemicals and high temperatures reaching more than 300 deg C (Ref. 127038). Food is provided by bacteria that grow inside a special pouch in the snail's throat by converting the chemicals in the vents into energy (Ref. 127038).

Life cycle and mating behavior Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae

Main reference References | Coordinator | Collaborators

Chen, C., K. Linse, J.T. Copley and A.D. Rogers. 2015. (Ref. 127001)

IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)

Endangered (EN) (B2ab(iii))

CITES status (Ref. 108899)

Not Evaluated

CMS (Ref. 116361)

Not Evaluated

Threat to humans

Harmless

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