Guildfordia aculeata , common name the aculeate star turban, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Turbinidae, the turban snails.[1] Also known as the "prickly star shell," is a species of sea snail in the family Turbinidae. It is a marine gastropod mollusk characterized by its distinctive, spiny shell, which is both functional and decorative.
| Guildfordia aculeata | |
|---|---|
| |
| A shell of Guildfordia aculeata | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Vetigastropoda |
| Order: | Trochida |
| Superfamily: | Trochoidea |
| Family: | Turbinidae |
| Genus: | Guildfordia |
| Species: | G. aculeata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Guildfordia aculeata Kosuge, 1979
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description
editThe size of the shell varies between 35 mm and 60 mm.
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2014) |
Taxonomy
editPhysical Description
editThe most striking feature of Guildfordia aculeata is its large, globular shell adorned with prominent spines or tubercles. These spines offer protection from predators and serve as camouflage in its natural rocky habitat. The shell can vary in color, typically ranging from reddish to brownish hues with a glossy texture. The aperture, or opening, of the shell is usually round and surrounded by a thickened edge, while the operculum (a trapdoor-like structure) is calcareous, aiding in protection when the animal retracts into its shell.
Habitat and Distribution
editGuildfordia aculeata is found in tropical and subtropical waters, primarily in the Indo-Pacific region. It is commonly associated with coral reefs and rocky sea beds,[4] where it can hide among crevices to avoid predators. The species thrives at moderate depths, typically from 20 to 200 meters, although its specific range may vary depending on local environmental conditions.[5]
Ecology and Behavior
editAs a herbivorous marine snail, Guildfordia aculeata feeds on algae and biofilm that grow on rocks and corals. Its radula, a ribbon-like structure with tiny teeth, scrapes food from surfaces.[6] The slow-moving nature of the species reflects its adaptation to a relatively low-energy lifestyle, common in many gastropods. The spines on its shell not only provide defense but also help to stabilize the snail when moving over uneven or rocky surfaces.[7]
Reproduction
editLike other marine snails, Guildfordia aculeata is believed to reproduce via external fertilization. The species releases eggs and sperm into the water, where fertilization occurs. [8]The larvae then develop and eventually settle on the sea floor, where they mature into adults. Detailed reproductive studies on Guildfordia aculeata are limited, but its reproductive strategy likely mirrors that of other gastropods in similar habitats.[9]
Conservation Status
editCurrently, Guildfordia aculeata is not listed as an endangered species. However, like many marine species, it may face threats from habitat destruction, such as coral reef degradation, pollution, and the effects of climate change.[10] The growing interest in collecting marine shells can also put pressure on populations in certain regions. Sustainable management and conservation of coral reef ecosystems are vital to ensuring the continued survival of species like Guildfordia aculeata.
Human Interest
editThe shell of Guildfordia aculeata is highly prized by collectors due to its unique appearance,[11] especially the striking spines. As a result, the species is sometimes found in shell markets and collections around the world. However, care should be taken to avoid overharvesting, as excessive collection can impact local populations.[12]
References
edit- ^ Guildfordia aculeata Kosuge, 1979. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 20 April 2010.
- ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Guildfordia aculeata Kosuge, 1979". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ Bouchet, Philippe; Rocroi, Jean-Pierre; Hausdorf, Bernhard; Kaim, Andrzej; Kano, Yasunori; Nützel, Alexander; Parkhaev, Pavel; Schrödl, Michael; Strong, Ellen E. (December 2017). "Revised Classification, Nomenclator and Typification of Gastropod and Monoplacophoran Families". Malacologia. 61 (1–2): 1–526. doi:10.4002/040.061.0201. ISSN 0076-2997.
- ^ Garcia, Abigail; Anticamara, Jonathan (4 January 2024). "Current Estimates of Philippine Marine Mollusks Taxonomic Diversity". Philippine Journal of Science. 152 (6B). doi:10.56899/152.6b.16. ISSN 0031-7683.
- ^ Temory, Amanullah; Thanakhom, Thiwanonth; Toku, Ryousuke; Takenaka, Hiroshi; Kasai, Tetsurou (2016). "Internal Curing of Concrete Using Biodegradable Water-Absorptive Polymer Gels". Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies (SCMT). 2. Coventry University: 1109–1118. doi:10.18552/2016/scmt4s308. ISBN 978-1-5431-1158-3.
- ^ Hoffman, Antoni (July 1988). "Vermeij, G.J. 1987. Evolution and Escalation. An Ecological History of Life. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N. J. 527 pp. $ 47.50". Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 1 (4): 369–370. doi:10.1046/j.1420-9101.1988.1040369.x. ISSN 1010-061X.
- ^ Siddall, Mark E. (1 August 2004). "Invertebrates.—R.C. Brusca and G. J. Brusca. 2003. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, Massachusetts. xix + 936 pp. ISBN 0–87893–097–3. $109.95(cloth)". Systematic Biology. 53 (4): 664–666. doi:10.1080/10635150490472968. ISSN 1076-836X.
- ^ Pennak, Robert W. (7 June 1974). "Invertebrates: Biology of the Turbellaria . Papers from a symposium, Chicago, Dec. 1970. Nathan W. Riser and M. Patricia Morse, Eds. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1974. xxviii, 530 pp., illus. $25. McGraw-Hill Series in the Invertebrates". Science. 184 (4141): 1067. doi:10.1126/science.184.4141.1067-a. ISSN 0036-8075.
- ^ Levitan, Don R.; Petersen, Chris (June 1995). "Sperm limitation in the sea". Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 10 (6): 228–231. Bibcode:1995TEcoE..10..228L. doi:10.1016/s0169-5347(00)89071-0. ISSN 0169-5347. PMID 21237018.
- ^ "Ecology of whale falls at the deep-sea floor", Oceanography and Marine Biology, An Annual Review, Volume 41, CRC Press, pp. 319–333, 31 July 2003, doi:10.1201/9780203180570-33, ISBN 978-0-429-21771-5, retrieved 24 October 2024
- ^ "R. Tucker Abbott & S. P. Dance Compendium of Seashells: a Color Guide to More than 4,200 of the World's Marine Shells. x, 410 pp. New York: E. P. Dutton, 1982. Price $50.00". Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 63 (4): 943. November 1983. Bibcode:1983JMBUK..63Q.943.. doi:10.1017/s0025315400071356. ISSN 0025-3154.
- ^ Lesicki, Andrzej (16 March 2009). "Book review: KREIPL K., ALF A. 1999. Recent Xenophoridae. Conch Books, Hackenheim. 148 pp., 44 textfigs, 20 repro-figs, 28 pls. ISBN 3-925919-26-0. Price 115.00 DEM". Folia Malacologica. 8 (2): 167–170. doi:10.12657/folmal.008.011. ISSN 1506-7629.
- Kosuge S. (1979) Description of a new species of the genus Guildfordia (Turbinidae, Gastropoda). Bulletin of the Institute of Malacology, Tokyo 1(2): 20, pl. 4.
- Alf A. & Kreipl K. (2011) The family Turbinidae. Subfamilies Turbininae Rafinesque, 1815 and Prisogasterinae Hickman & McLean, 1990. In: G.T. Poppe & K. Groh (eds), A Conchological Iconography. Hackenheim: Conchbooks. pp. 1–82, pls 104–245
External links
edit
- "Guildfordia aculeata". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
 | This Turbinidae-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |