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rocky shore index
  Online Guide to Chek Jawa
rocky shore
 
Lightning dove shell
Pyrene fulgurans
Family Columbellidae


These black dove shells with white zig-zag stripes are sometimes seen on the southern rocky shore. There are occasionally orange ones among them. They are sometimes called Pigeon shells.

Tough Doves: The thick shell has a narrow opening that is thickened. Possibly, this helps protect from crabs. Both crabs that try to crush the shell, and those that try use their pincers like tweezers to pull the animal out of its shell. The snail closes the shell opening is with long operculum made out of a horn-like material.

Dove food: Lightning dove shells are herbivorous and graze on the algae that grows on the rocks. However, other dove shells are carnivores, feeding on anemones.

Dove babies: Dove shells lay hemi-spherical eggs under rocks and other hard nooks and crannies.

Human uses: In some places, these shells are used to make necklaces for the tourist souvenir trade.

Status and threats: Lightning dove shells are more common on the offshore islands than on the mainland. 		  click for enlarged image
quick facts
1-1.5cm, sometimes seen in moist areas of the rocky shore.

Classification:
Class Gastropoda
Phylum Mollusca
 
See also ...
Molluscs in general
Gastropods in general

Links
Columbellidae on The Gladys Archerd Shell Collection at Washington State University Tri-Cities Natural History Museum website: brief fact sheet on Dove shells with photos

Other references
  • Tan, Leo W. H. & Ng, Peter K. L., 1988. A Guide to Seashore Life. The Singapore Science Centre, Singapore. 160 pp. online version
  • Fiene-Severns, Pauline, Mike Severns and Ruth Dyerly, 2000. Periplus Nature Guides: Tropical Seashells. Periplus Editions. 64pp.
  • Tan, K. S. & L. M. Chou, 2000. A Guide to the Common Seashells of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre. 160 pp.
  • Woodward, Fred, 1993. Identifying Shells. The Apple Press, London. 80 pp.
  • Harasewych, M.G., 1991 edition. Shells: Jewels from the Sea. Courage Books, USA. 224 pp.
 

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