Cernina fluctuata

Cernina fluctuata, common name the wavy moon snail, is a species of marine gastropod mollusc in the family Ampullinidae.[1] It is the only living member of its family.

Cernina fluctuata
Five views of a C. fluctuata shell
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Caenogastropoda
Superfamily:
Campaniloidea
Family:
Ampullinidae
Genus:
Cernina
Species:
C. flctuata
Binomial name
Cernina fluctuata
Synonyms[1]
  • Globularia fluctuata (G. B. Sowerby I, 1825)
  • Natica fluctuata G. B. Sowerby I, 1825
  • Natica imperforata Jay, 1836

Description

The shells of this species range in size from 25 to 80 mm.[2]

This species resembles the moon snails of the family Naticidae, though it is not related. One way to differentiate this shell from that of true moon snails is by its lack of an umbilical callus. The color pattern is one of wavy or zigzag stipes crossing the width of the shell.

Distribution

This species is native to the Philippines and northern Borneo.[2]

Diet

Cernina fluctuata is an herbivore that grazes on algae.[1] This is in contrast to true moon snails, which are predators.[3]

References
  1. Cernina fluctuata. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 17 February 2023.
  2. Hardy, Eddie. "Cernina fluctuata". Hardy's Internet Guide to Marine Gastropods - Conchology, Inc. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  3. Naticidae. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 17 February 2023.
  • Bruno Caze, Didier Merle, Mathieu Le Meur, Jean-Michel Pacaud, Daniel Ledon and Jean-Paul Saint Martin. (2011) "Taxonomic implications of the residual colour patterns of ampullinid gastropods and their contribution to the discrimination from naticids." Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 56 (2): 329–347. doi: 10.4202/app.2009.0084


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