Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Gastropoda
- Clade: Vetigastropoda
- Superfamily: Trochoidea
- Family: Trochidae (top snails)
- Genus: Clanculus
- Species: Clanculus tonnerrei
- Authority: (Crosse, 1865)
Synonymy
- Listed in the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) under the accepted name Clanculus tonnerrei (Crosse, 1865).
Description
Clanculus tonnerrei is a marine gastropod mollusk characterized by a small, conical shell typical of the Trochidae family. The shell reaches an adult size of approximately 8–12 mm in height. It exhibits the granular sculpture and spiral ridges common to the genus Clanculus. The coloration is variable, generally comprising mottled brown, tan, or reddish hues, often with darker spiral bands. Detailed morphological measurements and soft‑body anatomy are not extensively documented in the primary literature.
Distribution and Habitat
The species is reported from the western Indian Ocean region, particularly the Red Sea and adjacent coastal waters of the Arabian Peninsula. It inhabits shallow marine environments, often found on rocky substrates or coral reefs where it grazes on microalgae. Precise depth range and population status are not comprehensively recorded.
Ecology
As a member of the Trochidae, C. tonnerrei is presumed to be a grazer, feeding on biofilm and microscopic algae on hard surfaces. Specific ecological interactions, reproductive biology, and life‑cycle details for this species remain insufficiently described in the scientific literature.
Conservation Status
There is no assessment of Clanculus tonnerrei on the IUCN Red List. Lack of data precludes an evaluation of its conservation status.
References
- World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). Clanculus tonnerrei (Crosse, 1865). Accessed 2026.
- Crosse, H. (1865). Description of new mollusks. Journal de Conchyliologie, 13: 123‑130.
- Wilson, B. (1993). Australian Marine Shells. Prosobranch Gastropods. Vol. 2, 2nd ed. Kallaroo, WA: Odyssey Publishing. (Includes general information on Trochidae morphology and distribution.)
Note: While taxonomic and distributional data for Clanculus tonnerrei are established in marine species registries, detailed morphological and ecological information is limited; further research may expand the current knowledge base.