Daphnella souverbiei facts for kids

Daphnella souverbiei is a type of sea snail. It's a small mollusk that lives in the ocean. This snail belongs to a group called gastropods. It is part of the family Raphitomidae.

About the Shell

The shell of Daphnella souverbiei can grow up to 19 millimeters (about 0.75 inches) long. Its widest part, or diameter, is usually around 7 millimeters.

The shell has an oval shape and is quite long. It has about nine whorls, which are the spiral turns of the shell. The first three tiny whorls are called the protoconch. This is the part of the shell that formed when the snail was a baby.

The opening of the shell, called the aperture, is quite large. It makes up almost half of the shell's total length. The outer edge of this opening, known as the lip, is a bit thicker. It has small tooth-like bumps along its edge. There's also a small curve or notch below the top part of the opening.

The snail also has a very short siphonal canal. This is a small tube-like extension at the bottom of the shell. It's not very curved and points slightly to the side.

Comparing to Other Snails

Daphnella souverbiei looks a lot like another snail, Daphnella rissoides. However, there are some clear differences. In Daphnella souverbiei, the main part of the shell, called the body whorl, is much bigger. It makes up almost two-thirds of the shell's total length. In Daphnella rissoides, this part is only a little more than half.

You can also tell them apart by the lines on their shells. Daphnella souverbiei has clear spiral lines. Its whorls are also less rounded. Plus, the very tip of its shell, called the apex, doesn't have any special color. These features help scientists identify this unique snail.

Where It Lives

This sea snail lives only in Australia. It is found off the coasts of Queensland and Western Australia. This means it is endemic to Australia, naturally found nowhere else in the world.