Callipara ponsonbyi
| Callipara ponsonbyi | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Family: | Volutidae |
| Genus: | Callipara |
| Species: | C. ponsonbyi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Callipara ponsonbyi (E.A. Smith, 1901)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Callipara ponsonbyi is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Volutidae, the volutes.[1]
Ecology and Behaviour
Like other volutids, C. ponsonbyi is likely predatory, feeding on smaller invertebrates. This is consistent with behaviour observed in its close relatives.
The habit of burying into sand/substrate might be a defense strategy, possibly helping avoid predators or ambush prey.
Due to its depth range and cryptic lifestyle, live encounters are rare and many specimens come from fish stomachs. This suggests that natural predation pressure (from fish) significantly impacts observed populations.[2]
References
- ^ Bouchet, P. (2017). Callipara ponsonbyi. In: MolluscaBase (2017). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=998257 on 18 October 2017
- ^ Conchology, Inc. Callipara (Festilyria) ponsonbyi. Conchology.be, https://www.conchology.be .
- Bail, P & Poppe, G. T. 2001. A conchological iconography: a taxonomic introduction of the recent Volutidae. Hackenheim-Conchbook, 30 pp, 5 pl. (updated October 2008 for WoRMS)
- Aiken R.P. (2010) Volutidae. pp. 314–333, in: Marais A.P. & Seccombe A.D. (eds), Identification guide to the seashells of South Africa. Volume 1. Groenkloof: Centre for Molluscan Studies. 376 pp.