Fossarina reedi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fossarina reedi |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Original drawing of a shell of Fossarina reedi | |
| Scientific classification |
Fossarina reedi, also known as the Reed top shell, is a very tiny sea snail. It's a type of mollusc that lives in the ocean. These snails belong to a group called gastropods, and they are part of the family Trochidae, which are often called top snails.
Contents
About the Reed Top Shell
This small sea snail was first described in 1907. It's known for its unique shell patterns and colors.
What the Shell Looks Like
The shell of the Reed top shell is quite small. It usually grows to be about 3 millimeters (which is less than half an inch) tall. Its widest part, or diameter, can be around 6 millimeters.
The shell has a shape that looks a bit like a flattened cone. It has four smooth, rounded spirals, called whorls. The very top, or apex, is not pointy but a bit flat. The lines between the spirals are clear. The edge of the shell is mostly round, and the bottom of the shell is curved outwards.
There's a small opening on the shell called the umbilicus. The main opening of the shell, where the snail comes out, is called the aperture. It's shaped like a rounded oval. The outer edge of this opening is smooth.
Shell Patterns and Colors
The shell of the Reed top shell is usually a chestnut-brown color. It often has thin, dark-brown spiral lines that can be different widths. You might also see tiny white spots on the shell. Below the lines that separate the spirals, these white spots sometimes come together to form small, pyramid-shaped blotches.
A white band often goes around the edge of the shell. This band can have wavy edges. Near the umbilicus (the small opening at the bottom), there might be white and brown patterns in spirals. The rest of the bottom of the shell is usually a lighter color than the top and has more scattered white dots. The umbilicus itself is white. The whole shell often has a shiny, clear layer over it, which can look a bit like bronze.
Sometimes, the shell can be a darker brown color. The white band around the edge might fade as it gets closer to the opening. The white blotches near the spiral lines and the patterned bands around the umbilicus are usually the most noticeable decorations on the shell.
Where It Lives
The Reed top shell is a marine species, meaning it lives in the ocean. It is endemic to Australia, which means it is only found there. Specifically, this snail lives off the coast of South Australia.
