View allAll Photos Tagged WORLDWIDE_FAMILY
52 Likes on Instagram
1 Comments on Instagram:
akmal_c: .
.
.
.
.
.
.
#projekkontest #wow_havoc #projekwaghih #ikutcarakita #beautiful #broninart #featuremeinstagood #instagood #instadaily #igers_brother #malaysianIG #igersgersang #misterflopatrickfeatureme #nature #photooftheday #streetphotography #gengVSCOcam #vscocam #worldbestgram #WORLDWIDE_FAMILY
#nacreousclouds.
On a side note, watching #sundogs and other atm. Phenomena before my very eyes has been on my bucket list for quite some time and yet to be checked off. Still waiting for the right time and chance to photograph one of those.
#tpssony @thephotosociety @sonyalpha
55 Likes on Instagram
1 Comments on Instagram:
akmal_c: .
.
.
.
.
.
#exploreeverything #featuremeinstagood #canon_photos #igrecommend #followme #canonmy #sunset #createcommune#featuremebest #igworldclub #justgoshoot #lifeofadventure #majesticmoments #neverstopexploring #explorersclub #peoplescreatives #socality #shuttoutcom #thecoolmagazine #vscofolk #WORLDWIDE_FAMILY #wanderfolk #broninart #viewbugfeature #instagramers
I don't need you. I just need 8 million dollars.
#skyporn #sky #skypornpics
38 Likes on Instagram
1 Comments on Instagram:
akmal_c: .
.
.
.
.
.
#exploreeverything #featuremeinstagood #canon #igrecommend #followme #skyporn #canonmy ##featuremebest #igworldclub #justgoshoot #lifeofadventure #majesticmoments #neverstopexploring #explorersclub #peoplescreatives #socality #shuttoutcom #thecoolmagazine #vscofolk #WORLDWIDE_FAMILY #wanderfolk #broninart #viewbugfeature #instagramers
Xenophora pallidula (Reeve, 1842) - pallid carrier snail. (oblique lateral view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
In the above photo, the carrier snail has attached a mix of different objects to its shell. I see gastropod shells, bivalve shells, shell fragments, and rocks.
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Xenophora pallidula (Reeve, 1842) - pallid carrier snail. (apical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
In the above photo, numerous attached shells are present. Most of the objects that have been picked up are shells from other gastropod species, plus some bivalve shells, and shell fragments.
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Xenophora pallidula (Reeve, 1842) - pallid carrier snail (apical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
This species is part of the Japanese Province: "Sandwiched between the cold-waters of northern Japan and the warmer, more southerly areas of Okinawa and Taiwan is the rather isolated Japanese Province containing such endemic species as the noble scallop, Japanese wonder shell and many latiaxis snails. This temperate-water area supports about 1,500 species, including the famous Japanese pearl oyster." [info. from museum signage]
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
46 Likes on Instagram
1 Comments on Instagram:
akmal_c: .
.
.
.
.
.
.
#projekkontest #wow_havoc #projekwaghih #ikutcarakita #beautiful #broninart #featuremeinstagood #instagood #instadaily #igers_brother #malaysianIG #igersgersang #misterflopatrickfeatureme #nature #photooftheday #streetphotography #gengVSCOcam #vscocam #worldbestgram #WORLDWIDE_FAMILY
Xenophora pallidula (Reeve, 1842) - pallid carrier snail. (lateral view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
In the above photo, the carrier snail has attached many gastropod shells plus a large upright object - the accompanying museum signage identifies it as a bryozoan colony, but it appears to be a hexactinellid sponge, which has a siliceous (opaline) skeleton.
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
34 Likes on Instagram
1 Comments on Instagram:
akmal_c: .
.
.
.
.
.
.
#projekkontest #wow_havoc #projekwaghih #ikutcarakita #beautiful #broninart #featuremeinstagood #instagood #instadaily #igers_brother #malaysianIG #igersgersang #misterflopatrickfeatureme #nature #photooftheday #streetphotography #gengVSCOcam #vscocam #worldbestgram #WORLDWIDE_FAMILY
Xenophora tenuis Fulton, 1938 - thin carrier snail. (umbilical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
No matter how it falls apart,
There's an "art" in breaking hearts.
Location Danga Bay, Johore,Malaysia. #asia_vacations
53 Likes on Instagram
6 Comments on Instagram:
muniracha_: Weh ni lagu the script tu en??
akmal_c: @muniracha_ haah.kau layan the script gak aaa?
muniracha_: Yessss😁😎
akmal_c: .
.
.
.
.
.
.
#projekkontest #wow_havoc #projekwaghih #ikutcarakita #beautiful #broninart #featuremeinstagood #instagood #instadaily #igers_brother #malaysianIG #igersgersang #misterflopatrickfeatureme #nature #photooftheday #streetphotography #gengVSCOcam #vscocam #worldbestgram #WORLDWIDE_FAMILY
Xenophora pallidula (Reeve, 1842) - pallid carrier snail. (umbilical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
In the above photo, numerous attached shells are present. Most of the objects that have been picked up are shells from other gastropod species. A large bivalve shell is also present, plus some not readily recognizable objects.
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Acah acah nak jadi photographer sat.
Lokasi: Masjid Sultanah Nur Zahirah, #terengganudaruliman #throwback
62 Likes on Instagram
2 Comments on Instagram:
akmal_c: .
.
.
.
.
.
.
#projekkontest #wow_havoc #projekwaghih #ikutcarakita #beautiful #broninart #featuremeinstagood #instagood #instadaily #igers_brother #malaysianIG #misterflopatrickfeatureme #nature #photooftheday #streetphotography #trees #vscocam #worldbestgram #WORLDWIDE_FAMILY
eyesboyzinsta: Nice
Xenophora tenuis Fulton, 1938 - thin carrier snail. (apical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Xenophora japonica Kuroda & Habe, 1971 - Japanese carrier snail. (umbilical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
Xenophora pallidula (Reeve, 1842) - pallid carrier snail. (apical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
In the above photo, the carrier snail has attached a variety of different objects to its shell. I see gastropod shells, bivalve shells, an echinoid test (a sea biscuit - see the brownish-colored, somewhat rounded object on the left side), and small rocks.
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Xenophora caribaea Petit de la Saussaye, 1857 - Caribbean carrier snail. (umbilical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
This species is also known as Onustus caribaeus.
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Xenophora solaris (Linnaeus, 1764) - sunburst carrier snail. (umbilical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
The sunburst carrier snail shown above is a species that doesn't frequently attach objects to its shell. From museum signage: "Instead of attaching foreign bodies, the sunburst carrier-shells create their own projections."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
Xenophora pallidula (Reeve, 1842) - pallid carrier snail. (umbilical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
In the above photo, the carrier snail has covered its shell with a mix of rocks and bivalve shells and other objects.
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Xenophora conchyliophora (Born, 1780) - Atlantic carrier snail. (apical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Xenophora konoi Habe, 1953 - Kono's carrier snail. (umbilical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
Xenophora konoi Habe, 1953 - Kono's carrier snail. (lateral view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
Xenophora japonica Kuroda & Habe, 1971 - Japanese carrier snail. (apical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
Xenophora longleyi (Born, 1780) - fossil Atlantic carrier snail from the Pliocene of Florida, USA. (lateral view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
The shells that were originally attached to the fossil Atlantic carrier snail shown above have become detached, probably during a burial-producing storm event during the Pliocene.
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Xenophora chinensis (Philippi, 1841) - fragment carrier snail. (apical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
This species is also known as Stellaria chinensis.
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellaria_(gastropod)
Xenophora conchyliophora (Born, 1780) - Atlantic carrier snail. (apical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Xenophora caribaea Petit de la Saussaye, 1857 - Caribbean carrier snail. (umbilical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
This species is also known as Onustus caribaeus.
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Xenophora pallidula (Reeve, 1842) - pallid carrier snail. (apical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
In the above photo, numerous attached shells are present. Most of the objects that have been picked up are bivalve shells, plus some small rocks.
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Xenophora robusta Verrill, 1870 - robust carrier snail. (umbilical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
Xenophora longleyi (Born, 1780) - fossil Atlantic carrier snail from the Pliocene of Florida, USA. (apical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Most of the shells that were originally attached to the fossil Atlantic carrier snail shown above have become detached, probably during a burial-producing storm event during the Pliocene.
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
And if you feel just like a tourist in the city you were born, then it's time to go
and define your destination.
There's so many different places to call home. Because when you find yourself the villain in the story you have written,
It's plain to see that sometimes the best intentions are in need of redemptions.
#thoughtofheday #scenicview #tb #dcfc #sky #skyporn #skypornpics
47 Likes on Instagram
1 Comments on Instagram:
akmal_c: .
.
.
.
.
.
#exploreeverything #featuremeinstagood #canon #igrecommend #followme #canonmy ##featuremebest #igworldclub #justgoshoot #lifeofadventure #majesticmoments #neverstopexploring #explorersclub #peoplescreatives #socality #shuttoutcom #thecoolmagazine #vscofolk #WORLDWIDE_FAMILY #wanderfolk #broninart #viewbugfeature #instagramers
Xenophora pallidula (Reeve, 1842) - pallid carrier snail. (oblique lateral view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
In the above photo, the carrier snail has attached many gastropod shells plus a large upright object - the accompanying museum signage identifies it as a bryozoan colony, but it appears to be a hexactinellid sponge, which has a siliceous (opaline) skeleton.
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Australasian figbird. Sphecotheres vieilloti
Figbirds are part of a worldwide family that includes the orioles, of which Australia has two other members (the Yellow and Olive-backed Orioles). Males have bare, red skin around the eye, contrasting against a black crown and grey neck and throat. The remainder of the body is olive-green, except for a white under-tail area. Females have grey skin around the eye and lack distinctive head markings. They are brown-green above and dull-white below, streaked with brown. Both sexes have a blackish bill. There are two distinct colour forms of the males of this species. Males in northern populations have a yellow front.
The gregarious behaviour of Figbirds is maintained in the breeding season, with small groups of birds nesting semi-colonially in adjoining canopy trees. The nest is cup-shaped and built of vine tendrils and twigs. It is supported by its rim from the horizontal fork of an outer branch of the canopy, up to 20 m above the ground. Both males and females incubate the eggs and feed the young.
Seated, left to right: Nahid, Paloma, Ana, Ricardo, Tammy, Grandmom, Tahereh, Petra, Lynda.
Standing: Kianoosh, Frank, Nima, Behnam, Ashkan, Eshragh, Soroosh, Mojdeh, Koorosh, Kamran, Navid
Xenophora japonica Kuroda & Habe, 1971 - Japanese carrier snail. (umbilical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
Xenophora robusta Verrill, 1870 - robust carrier snail. (umbilical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
Xenophora indica (Gmelin, 1791) - Indian carrier snail. (umbilical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
This species is also known as Onustus indicus.
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
The Indian carrier snail shown above has not attached any objects to its shell.
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Xenophora granulosa granulosa Ponder, 1983 - granulose carrier snail. (umbilical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
51 Likes on Instagram
3 Comments on Instagram:
fitri_cinonet: Salam Eid al Adha
akmal_c: @fitri_cinonet selamat ✌️
akmal_c: .
.
.
.
.
.
.
#projekkontest #wow_havoc #projekwaghih #ikutcarakita #beautiful #broninart #featuremeinstagood #instagood #instadaily #igers_brother #malaysianIG #igersgersang #misterflopatrickfeatureme #nature #photooftheday #streetphotography #gengVSCOcam #vscocam #worldbestgram #WORLDWIDE_FAMILY #silentcollective
Xenophora pallidula (Reeve, 1842) - pallid carrier snails. (lateral view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
Two carrier snails are shown in the above photo (the specimen on the right appears to have toppled over in the museum case). Both have many attached gastropod shells plus a large upright object - the accompanying museum signage identifies them as bryozoan colonies, but they appear to be hexactinellid sponges, which have siliceous (opaline) skeletons.
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
While #boating over to an #island. #yellow #boat #lake
74 Likes on Instagram
3 Comments on Instagram:
danielknewell: Killin it!
akmal_c: @danielknewell thank you very much 😃😃
akmal_c: .
.
.
.
.
.
.
#viewbugfeature #projekkontest #wow_havoc #projekwaghih #ikutcarakita #beautiful #broninart #featuremeinstagood #instagood #instadaily #igers_brother #malaysianIG #igersgersang #misterflopatrickfeatureme #nature #photooftheday #streetphotography #gengVSCOcam #vscocam #worldbestgram #WORLDWIDE_FAMILY #silentcollective
Xenophora granulosa granulosa Ponder, 1983 - granulose carrier snail. (umbilical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
Xenophora conchyliophora (Born, 1780) - Atlantic carrier snail. (apical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Xenophora solaris (Linnaeus, 1764) - sunburst carrier snail. (apical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
The sunburst carrier snail shown above is a species that doesn't frequently attach objects to its shell. From museum signage: "Instead of attaching foreign bodies, the sunburst carrier-shells create their own projections."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
Xenophora exuta (Reeve, 1842) - barren carrier snail. (apical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
As its common name suggests, the barren carrier snail shown above does not attach objects to its shell.
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
Xenophora pallidula (Reeve, 1842) - pallid carrier snail. (lateral view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
In the above photo, the carrier snail has attached many gastropod shells plus a large upright object - the accompanying museum signage identifies it as a bryozoan colony, but it appears to be a hexactinellid sponge, which has a siliceous (opaline) skeleton.
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Xenophora digitata von Martens, 1878 - digitate carrier snail. (umbilical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
This species is also known as Stellaria digitata and Stellaria testigera digitata.
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
The digitate carrier snail shown above is a species that doesn't attach many objects to its shell - usually less than half of the apical surface is covered.
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellaria_(gastropod)
Xenophora indica (Gmelin, 1791) - Indian carrier snail. (apical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
This species is also known as Onustus indicus.
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
The Indian carrier snail shown above has not attached any objects to its shell.
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Xenophora pallidula (Reeve, 1842) - pallid carrier snail. (apical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item. Whether for camouflage or for strengthening the edge of the shell, the carrier-shells produce projections."
In the above photo, numerous attached shells are present. Most of the objects that have been picked up are shells from other gastropod species, but shell fragments are also present, plus an apparent bivalve shell, and an apparent scaphopod shell (lower left).
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and
Xenophora caribaea Petit de la Saussaye, 1857 - Caribbean carrier snail. (umbilical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)
This species is also known as Onustus caribaeus.
The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.
The xenophorid snails (a.k.a. carrier snails), especially those in the genus Xenophora, are remarkable for their tendency to pick up other shells, skeletal fragments, rocks, or corals (sometimes still alive) from their surrounding environment and cement these objects to their own shells. The result looks like a pile of shells on the seafloor. Often, sponges and serpulid worm tubes are found encrusting the xenophorid shell - they contribute to the illusion that a xenophorid is simply a patch of seafloor. Xenophora carrier snails do this as a camouflage defense against predators. Decorator crabs are arthropods that engage in similar camouflage behavior (storage.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/d...).
Xenophorids are principally detritivores and occur on unconsolidated, fine-grained to coarse-grained to rubbly substrates.
From museum signage: "The worldwide family of carrier-shells has for millions of years had a natural habit of attaching other shells and small objects to themselves. The family name, Xenophoridae, means "bearer" (phora) of "foreigners" (xeno). Of the 20 known living species, three live in the Caribbean Province, one in the Mediterranean, one in West Africa, and the remaining 15 in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Carrier shells will attach nearly any object within their reach. A choice of size and orientation is deliberately made. Only dead bivalves are selected and are always glued with the concave side up. Dead gastropods are always glued at the smaller, pointed end. A carrier-shell may take an hour to move an object into position with its proboscis. As many as 10 hours are taken to secrete enough new shell material to successfully "glue on" the new item."
Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Xenophoroidea, Xenophoridae
----------------
Some info. from Harasewych & Alcosser (1991) and Hill (1996).
----------------
More info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophora
and