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Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > Family Architectonicidae
Clear sundial snail
Architectonica perspectiva

Family Architectonicidae
updated Oct 10

Where seen? The delightful living snail are sometimes encountered on our Southern shores. Elsewhere, it is considered moderately common and usually found subtidally on sandy and muddy bottoms, from depths of 10 to 120m, mostly between 10 and 65m.

Features: 5-6cm in diameter. An unmistakable snail, the shell coils form a flat disc-shape with a flat base. The shell is beautifully banded in shades of black and brown. The body is striped too, to match the shell. The operculum is made of a horn-like material.

What does it eat? It is said to eat burrowing sea anemones and sea pens. The mouth region is lined with a tough cuticle as a protection against stings of their prey.

Status and threats: The Clear sundial snail is listed as 'Endangered' in the Red List of threatened animals of Singapore. The original shores where they were found have been lost to reclamation.

Pulau Hantu, Apr 09

St. John's Island, May 09

Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his blog.

Pulau Hantu, Apr 09

Photo shared by Toh Chay Hoon on her blog.

Pulau Hantu, Apr 09

Clear sundial snails on Singapore shores

Sisters Island, Jan 10


Sisters Island, Oct 11


Sisters Island, Oct 11


Pulau Hantu, Mar 10

Empty shell of dead snail.
Seringat-Kias, Jun 09

video clip of clear sundial snail on Singapore shores

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References

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