Asperdaphne perplexa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Asperdaphne perplexa |
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| Original image of a shell of Asperdaphne perplexa | |
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Daphnella perplexa Verco, 1909 |
Asperdaphne perplexa is a type of small sea snail. It's a marine gastropod, which means it's a kind of mollusk that lives in the ocean. This snail belongs to the family called Raphitomidae. It was first described by a scientist named Verco in 1909.
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Discovering the Asperdaphne perplexa Snail
This fascinating sea snail was officially named and described in 1909. It was given the scientific name Asperdaphne perplexa. Before that, it was known as Daphnella perplexa. Scientists study these names to keep track of different species.
What Does Asperdaphne perplexa Mean?
The name Asperdaphne comes from Latin words. It helps scientists group similar snails together. Perplexa means "perplexing" or "puzzling." This might refer to some unique features of its shell that made it hard to classify at first.
Shell Features of Asperdaphne perplexa
The shell of the Asperdaphne perplexa snail is quite small and delicate. It has a unique shape and interesting patterns.
Size and Shape of the Shell
The shell of this snail is usually about 6.3 millimeters long. That's less than a centimeter! Its widest part, or diameter, is about 2.2 millimeters. The shell has an oval shape that is longer than it is wide.
It has six main sections, called whorls, that spiral around. The very first two whorls at the top are called the protoconch. These are the oldest parts of the shell.
Shell Details and Patterns
The shell has a special opening called the aperture. This is where the snail's body comes out. It's shaped like a long oval. At the bottom of the shell, there's a short, wide tube called the siphonal canal. This canal helps the snail breathe and filter water.
The entire surface of the shell is covered with spiral lines. These lines are also covered with tiny bumps, making the shell feel a bit rough. The color of the shell is usually a light brown, often with a mottled, or patchy, look. It also has thin, white spiral lines that are evenly spaced. These lines add to its unique appearance.
Where Asperdaphne perplexa Lives
Like other sea snails, Asperdaphne perplexa lives in the ocean. It is a marine mollusk, meaning it lives in saltwater environments. Snails like this often live on the seabed, where they can find food and shelter.
Habitat and Environment
These snails are part of the amazing biodiversity found in our oceans. They play a role in their marine ecosystem. Understanding where they live helps scientists learn more about ocean health.
