Cerithium zebrum

Cerithium zebrum is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cerithiidae.^[1] Cerithium zebrum is also commonly named zebra horn.^[2]

Cerithium zebrum
Shell of Cerithium zebrum (syntype at MNHN, Paris)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Subclass:	Caenogastropoda
Family:	Cerithiidae
Genus:	Cerithium
Species:	C. zebrum
Binomial name
Cerithium zebrum Kiener, 1841
Synonyms[1]
Bittium zebrum (Kiener, 1841) Cerithium aspersum Deshayes, 1863 Cerithium crossii (Deshayes, 1863) Cerithium dichroum Melvill & Standen, 1895 Cerithium dilectum (G.B. Sowerby II, 1855) Cerithium janthinum Gould, 1849 Cerithium paxillum Pease, 1861 Cerithium stigmosum Gould, 1861 Cerithium unilineatum Pease, 1861 Cerithium zebrum var. attenuata Vignal, 1903 Cerithium zebrum var. bilineata Vignal, 1903 Cerithium zebrum var. cinerea Vignal, 1903 Cerithium zebrum var. maculata Vignal, 1903 Cerithium zebrum var. multimaculata Vignal, 1903 Cerithium zebrum var. nivea Vignal, 1903 Cerithium zebrum var. ornata Vignal, 1903 Cerithium zebrum var. pulchra Vignal, 1903 Cerithium zebrum var. rosea Vignal, 1903 Cerithium zebrum var. sticta Vignal, 1903 Cerithium zebrum var. trifasciata Vignal, 1903 Cerithium zebrum var. trilineata Vignal, 1903 Cerithium zebrum var. undulata Dautzenberg & Bouge, 1833 Cerithium zebrum var. unimaculata Vignal, 1903

Description

Cerithium zebrum has a distinctive growth to its shell where it starts as a solitary spiral cord that progressively strengthens over time giving its more pronounced spiral shell.^[3] There are numerous threads within its shell that differentiate in toughness since when they form a keel it tends to have more fragile ribs or axial riblets due to its one spiral strand.^[3] Its shell reaches about 7mm in length. Coming in many different colors from brown to beige, salmon, and even mauve. They also have a variable design that the shell has between being banded and unbanded.^[4]

Distribution & Habitat

The distribution of Cerithium zebrum includes the Western Central Pacific.^[5] The primary habitat of Cerithium zebrum is found among the rocky shores of the rugged and ever-changing conditions of the intertidal zone or tidal pools.^[2] It's also said they can be found among the anchialine ponds which are in other words brackish water. (Brackish water is a mix between fresh and saltwater).^[6]

• Guam^[5]

• Hawaii
• American Samoa
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Indonesia
• Philippines