Mo. 21 CYMATIUM (Helmet shell)

 

Phylum     : Mollusca

Class        : Gastropoda

Order      : Littorinimorpha 

Family      : Cymatiidae

Genus     : Cymatium

DESCRIPTION

Cymatium is a genus of small to large predatory sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Cymatiidae.

This genus has numerous species, perhaps as many as 100, some of which have a worldwide distribution. The genus has been divided into at least 10 subgenera.

These sea snails have separate sexes. They lay egg capsules. After hatching, the larvae have a planktonic stage that can (in some species) last several months; this is what enables the very widespread distribution seen in certain species, as the planktonic larvae can be carried great distances before settling to the sea floor.

IUCN Status: Not evaluated