Haustrum lacunosum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Haustrum lacunosum |
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| Shell of Haustrum lacunosum (paralectotype at MNHN, Paris) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): |
clade Caenogastropoda
clade Hypsogastropoda clade Neogastropoda |
| Superfamily: |
Muricoidea
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| Family: |
Muricidae
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| Subfamily: |
Haustrinae
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| Genus: |
Haustrum
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| Species: |
H. lacunosum
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| Binomial name | |
| Haustrum lacunosum (Bruguière, 1789)
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| Synonyms | |
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Haustrum lacunosum is a type of sea snail. It is a marine mollusk from the group called gastropods. This snail belongs to the family Muricidae, which are often known as murex snails or rock snails.
Contents
What is Haustrum lacunosum?
Haustrum lacunosum is a fascinating sea creature. It lives in the ocean and has a hard shell to protect its soft body. Like all snails, it moves slowly on a muscular "foot."
A Type of Mollusk
Mollusks are a big group of animals. They include snails, clams, and octopuses. Most mollusks live in water, and many have shells. Haustrum lacunosum is a good example of a mollusk with a shell.
A Gastropod Snail
Gastropods are the largest group of mollusks. This group includes all snails and slugs. They are known for their single, often coiled, shell. Haustrum lacunosum has a typical snail shell.
Part of the Muricidae Family
The Muricidae family is a group of predatory sea snails. They are often called murex snails or rock snails. Many of them have spiky or bumpy shells. These snails are known for drilling holes into the shells of other mollusks to eat them.
Shell Description
The shell of Haustrum lacunosum can be quite pretty. Its length usually ranges from about 20 mm (less than an inch) to 53 mm (about two inches). This means some snails are small, while others are a bit larger. The shell often has interesting patterns or textures.
Where Does It Live? (Distribution)
This marine snail lives in the waters off New Zealand. New Zealand is a country made up of islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Haustrum lacunosum can be found along the rocky coastlines there. It often lives in the intertidal zone. This is the area between high and low tide marks. Here, it can find food and shelter among the rocks.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Like many sea snails, Haustrum lacunosum reproduces by laying eggs. The female snail lays her eggs in a protective casing. These casings are often attached to rocks or seaweed. Inside, the tiny snails develop.
Larval Stage
Once the eggs hatch, tiny larvae emerge. These larvae are usually free-swimming. They float in the ocean currents for a while. This helps them spread to new areas.
Growing Up
After some time, the larvae settle down. They change into tiny snails. These young snails then grow bigger, slowly forming their hard shells. They will continue to grow until they reach their adult size.
What Do They Eat?
Haustrum lacunosum is a predator. This means it hunts and eats other animals. It uses its special mouthpart, called a radula, to get its food. The radula is like a ribbon of tiny teeth.
Hunting for Food
These snails often feed on other shellfish. They might eat mussels or barnacles. They can even drill a neat hole through the shell of their prey. Then, they use their radula to eat the soft body inside. This makes them important parts of their ocean ecosystem.
