Architectonica maxima

Species of gastropod From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Architectonica maxima

Architectonica maxima, the giant sundial, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Architectonicidae, which are known as the staircase shells or sundials.[1]

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Shells of Architectonica maxima

Quick Facts Scientific classification, Binomial name ...
Architectonica maxima
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Shell of Architectonica maxima from Japan at the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Family: Architectonicidae
Genus: Architectonica
Species:
A. maxima
Binomial name
Architectonica maxima
(Philippi, 1849)
Synonyms
  • Solarium maximum Philippi, 1849[1]
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Description

Architectonica maxima has a shell that reaches 19–82 mm[2] and it is the largest member of the sundial family. This shell is low-spired and quite flattened, with a beaded surface. The shoulder slope is divided into two ribs by a spiral groove.[3] The basic color is cream, with brown spots.

Distribution

This species can be found in the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa and the Persian Gulf to western Pacific, Japan, eastern Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Hawaii.[2][4][5][3]

Habitat

Giant sundial is a carnivore deeper water sea snail living on sandy patches and muddy sublittoral bottoms,[3] close to soft corals, at a depth of 10 – 280 m.[5]

References

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