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Trochus

Specimen image via iDigBio · BY-NC

EntityQ1308482· pop 14· linked from 99 articles

Trochus is a genus of medium-to large-sized, top-shaped sea snails with an operculum, of the family Trochidae, the top snails.

Species

Genus

  1. PhylumMollusca
  2. ClassGastropoda
  3. OrderTrochida
  4. FamilyTrochidae
Habitatmarine

via

Museum specimens

Specimen records
1,970
With media
284
Family
Trochidae
Collections
LACM, UWBM, PRI, NHMUK, SEMAHN, RBINS-SCIENTIFIC HERITAGE
Recorded in
United States, Fiji, Argentina, United Kingdom, Mexico, Madagascar, Comoros, Thailand

~45 min read

Encyclopedic overview

6 sections
Contents
  • History
  • Shell description
  • Species
  • Synonyms
  • References
  • Further reading

Trochus is a genus of medium-to large-sized, top-shaped sea snails with an operculum, of the family Trochidae, the top snails.

When the word "trochus" or "Trochus" is used in reference to fishing sea snails for commercial purposes, the usual species targeted is Tectus niloticus, which is valued for its nacre or mother of pearl layer, which was traditionally made into items such as pearl buttons and jewelry. Tectus niloticus is no longer classified as a Trochus species, and it is no longer classified in the family Trochidae; it is now placed in the family Tegulidae.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Trochus” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.