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Flat-spire
nerite snail
Nerita planospira
Family Neritidae
updated
Sep 2020
Where
seen? This
sturdy nerite was seen once at Lim Chu Kang mangroves. The study by Tan & Clements (2008) found this snail on mangrove
tree trunks and roots, muddy rocks, trash (e.g., discarded rubber
tires and wooden planks), and monsoon canal walls. Sites included:
Sarimbun, Lim Chu Kang, Kranji, Pulau Ubin, Pulau Ketam, Pasir Ris,
Sungei Changi, Marina East and Tanjong Penjuru. According to Tan &
Clements, this snail appears to be moderately uncommon and occurs
in relatively low densities. The largest local population of Nerita
planospira appears to be located in the mangroves of Pulau Ubin.
Features: About 2cm. Shell thick heavy,
hemispherical with a sunken spire. Rough thick cords on the shell, the
earlier whorls of the shell is flattened thus giving its common name
(Planus means 'flat', spira refer to 'spiral'). It has
a thin, brown 'skin' (periostracum) which covers a pink shell with
dark bands and patches. The flat underside white or beige with a dark blotch at the edge.
Small notched 'teeth' (4-5) on the straight edge at the shell opening.
Operculum thick, smooth, glossy, grey or black. Body black. |
Lim Chu Kang, Aug 05 |
Lim Chu Kang, Aug 05 |
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Human uses: It is occasionally
collected for food and shellcraft.
Status and threats: This snail
is listed as 'Vulnerable' in the Red List of threatened animals of
Singapore. According to the Singapore Red Data Book: "Highly
abundant in the 1960's, populations have declined drastically due
to the loss of mature mangrove habitats." |
| Flat-spire
nerite snails on Singapore shores |
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.
- Abbott, R.
Tucker, 1991. Seashells
of South East Asia.
Graham Brash, Singapore. 145 pp.
- Davison,
G.W. H. and P. K. L. Ng and Ho Hua Chew, 2008. The Singapore
Red Data Book: Threatened plants and animals of Singapore.
Nature Society (Singapore). 285 pp.
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