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| shelled snails text index | photo index |
| Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > Family Naticidae |
| Eggwhite
moon snail Polinices albumen Family Naticidae updated Aug 10 Where seen? This flat moon snail was seen once on Changi, and several times at Cyrene Reef in both instances in a sand bar among seagrass meadows. Elsewhere, it is found in clean sandy bottoms from shallow subtidal area to a depth of about 70 m. It can be locally common. It is also known as Neverita albumen. Features: 4-6cm. Shell heavy, globular but wider than long and very flat, with an almost flat spire. Shell smooth and glossy, apart from very fine lines of growth. The shell is plain and may be cream or pale yellow to brown. There is a deep U-shaped depression on the white underside. Operculum made of a horn-like material, reddish or yellowish brown. The huge body is completely white and does resemble the white of a hard boiled egg. Human uses: Where common, it is harvested for food and for the shell. In Thailand, commonly collected by fishing nets from depths of 2 to 10 m. Known also to be sold as food in the markets of Kyushu (Japan). |
 Changi, Apr 09  |
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 Changi, Jan 10 |
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 Cyrene Reef, Dec 10 |
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 Cyrene Reef, Aug 11 |
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 Cyrene Reef, Feb 11  |
 Cyrene Reef, May 11  |
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Links
References
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Graham Brash, Singapore. 145 pp.|
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