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Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > Family Neritidae
Scaly nerite snail
Nerita squamulata
Family Neritidae
updated Sep 2020
Where seen? This snail with a 'scaly' shell is sometimes seen on some of our rocky shores. The study by Tan & Clements (2008) found this snail on mangrove tree trunks and stilt roots; muddy rocks at coastal fringes of mangroves; among rocky rubble along edge of muddy sand flats; on breakwater rocks. Sites included: Sarimbun, Pulau Ubin, Pasir Ris, Sungei Loyang, Changi, Kallang Basin, Marina South, Sentosa, St. John's Island, Pulau Hantu, Tuas. This snail was previously known as Nerita histrio.

Features: 1.5-2.5cm. Shell thick heavy, hemispherical, the spire doesn't stick out and may be depressed. Thick, spiralling ribs, which are uneven and much rougher than other kinds of nerites often with tiny or large horizontal ridges across the ribs. Shell colour and patterns highly variable. The flat underside is white, may be smooth or wrinkled. Tiny notched 'teeth' (2-4) on the straight edge at the shell opening. Young snails often have an orange stain on these tiny 'teeth'. Lacks 'tooth' the sides of the shell opening. Operculum thick, evenly covered in tiny bumps, pinkish sometimes with darkish blotches. Body pale with fine black bands on the foot and long thin black tentacles.

Sometimes confused with other similar nerites. Here's a comparison of these similar nerite snails and how to tell them apart.

Kusu Island, Mar 06

Tiny 'scales' on the shell.

Kusu Island, Mar 06

Labrador, Jun 08

Changi, May 06

Changi, May 06

Scaly nerite snails on Singapore shores
On wildsingapore flickr

Links

References

  • Tan Siong Kiat and Henrietta P. M. Woo, 2010 Preliminary Checklist of The Molluscs of Singapore (pdf), Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, National University of Singapore.
  • Tan, S.K. & Clements, R. (2008) Taxonomy and distribution of the Neritidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) on Singapore. Zoological Studies 47(4): 481-494.
  • Tan, K. S. & L. M. Chou, 2000. A Guide to the Common Seashells of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre. 160 pp.
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