Clanculus philippii facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Clanculus philippii
Drawing showing a shell of Clanculus philippii
Scientific classification
Synonyms
Clanculus conspersus A. Adams, 1853 Clanculus philomenae Tenison-Woods, 1876 Clanculus purpuratus Pilsbry, 1889 Clanculus raphaeli Tenison-Woods, 1877 Clanculus yatesi Crosse, 1863 Clanculus (Isoclanculus) philippii (Koch in Philippi, 1843) Clanculus (Isoclanculus) yatesi Crosse, H., 1863 Isoclanculus menkei A. Adams & Angas, 18?? Trochus philippi Koch in Philippi, 1843 (original description) Trochus yatesi Fischer, 1879

Clanculus philippii, also known as Philippi's cone, is a type of sea snail. It is a marine gastropod mollusk. This snail belongs to the family Trochidae, which are often called top snails because of their shell shape.

What Does Philippi's Cone Look Like?

The shell of Philippi's cone is quite small. It usually measures between 7 and 13 millimeters. That's about the size of a small button!

Shell Shape and Color

The shell is very strong and shaped like a cone. It has a slightly angled edge around its widest part. The shell is white with cool patterns. These patterns include blotches and zigzag stripes of purplish-red color.

Shell Features

The shell has five whorls, which are like the spirals that make up the snail's shell. These spirals are mostly flat. The top spirals might have tiny lines if they are not worn down.

The lower spirals have small bumps, like beads. The last spiral has five rows of these beaded bumps. The fifth row forms the edge of the shell.

The bottom of the shell is a bit rounded. It has six rows of these beaded bumps too. The spaces between these rows have fine, slanted lines.

Opening and Lips

The opening of the shell, called the aperture, is shaped like a rounded square. Inside, it looks shiny and pearly. The outer edge of the opening has ridges inside. The bottom edge is curved and has small teeth-like bumps.

The central pillar inside the shell, called the columella, is short. It has a slight fold at the top and a tooth-like bump at the bottom. The umbilicus is a very shallow hole near the columella.

Where Does Philippi's Cone Live?

This sea snail lives in the ocean. It is found only in Australia, which means it is endemic to that country. You can find it off the coasts of South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.

Images for kids

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  Three views of a shell of Clanculus philippii