Asperdaphne esperanza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Asperdaphne esperanza |
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| Original image of a shell of Asperdaphne esperanza | |
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Hemipleurotoma esperanza May, 1911 |
Asperdaphne esperanza is a type of sea snail. It is a small mollusk that lives in the ocean. This snail belongs to a group called gastropods, which includes snails and slugs. It is part of the family called Raphitomidae.
What Does It Look Like?
The shell of Asperdaphne esperanza is usually a dull white color. It is quite tall and gets narrower towards the front. The shell is about 5.3 millimeters long and 2 millimeters wide. That's pretty tiny, less than a quarter of an inch!
Shell Features
- Whorls: The shell has six main spirals, which are called whorls. These spirals are quite angular, meaning they have sharp corners.
- Protoconch: The very first part of the shell, called the protoconch, is smooth. It has two tiny spirals.
- Keels and Spirals: There is a strong ridge, or "keel," around the middle of the shell. Another, slightly weaker keel is found lower down. A third keel runs along the edge of the shell's seams. You might also see a few faint spiral lines on the upper part of the shell.
- Texture: Many lines run across the shell, making it look like a woven pattern. These lines cross over the keels, making them bumpy. On the lower part of the main body whorl, these lines disappear. Instead, there are about eight smooth spiral lines.
- Opening (Aperture): The opening of the shell, called the aperture, is somewhat square-shaped. It narrows at the front to form a short, open tube called a siphonal canal.
- Lip: The outer edge of the opening, known as the lip, has a strong angle. It forms a wide, triangular notch. Below this notch, the lip is bumpy because of the shell's texture. The inner lip of the opening is curved.
Where Does It Live?
This sea snail lives only in Australia. It is an endemic species, which means it is found naturally in just one specific area. You can find Asperdaphne esperanza off the coast of Tasmania, an island state of Australia.
Images for kids
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Original image of a shell of Asperdaphne esperanza
