Turbinella pyrum (Linnaeus, 1767)
Turbinella pyrum, commonly referred to as the chank shell, sacred chank, simply conch, or by its more popular synonym Xancus pyrum, is a type of large sea snail found in the Indian Ocean. It belongs to the family Turbinellidae and possesses both gills and an operculum. It is also known as the divine conch.
Current Status of Name :
This name is currently accepted taxonomically.
Rank : Species
Environment : Marine
Taxonomy Classification
- Kingdom : Animalia
- Phylum : Mollusca
- Class : Gastropoda
- Order : Neogastropoda
- Family : Turbinellidae
- Genus : Turbinella
- Species : Turbinella pyrum
Turbinella pyrum
Description :
Shell Morphology:
- Large and heavy shell, typically 15-30 cm in length
- Shell shape is pyriform (pear-shaped) with a broad rounded body whorl
- Spire is short and depressed, with rounded whorls
- Aperture is large, elongated, and oval-shaped
- Outer lip is thick and rounded, smooth on the inside
- Columella (central spiral) is twisted and marked with ridges
- Shell surface is smooth, with fine growth lines
- Color is pale yellowish-brown, cream or white
Soft Body Anatomy:
- Large muscular foot used for locomotion
- Long extensible proboscis containing the radula (rasping tongue)
- Two cephalic tentacles with eyes at their bases
- Long siphon used for respiration
Habitat and Ecology:
- Found in tropical and subtropical marine environments
- Lives partially buried in sandy or muddy bottoms, from shallow to moderately deep waters
- A predatory gastropod that drills holes in bivalve shells to feed
- Uses its proboscis and radula to extract the soft body parts of prey
Life Cycle:
- Males and females release gametes into the water for external fertilization
- Planktonic veliger larvae develop before settling and metamorphosing into juveniles
- Longevity and maximum life span are uncertain
Distribution:
- Native range spans the Indo-Pacific region
- From East Africa and Red Sea to Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia, and western Pacific islands
Significance:
- A large and striking marine gastropod, prized by shell collectors
- Historically used for food, tools, and decoration by some Pacific island cultures
- Plays an ecological role as a predator in benthic marine communities
The Pear Turbinella gets its name from the distinctive pear-shaped shell with a short depressed spire. This large predatory sea snail ranges across the Indo-Pacific, dwelling in shallow to moderately deep waters and feeding on bivalve mollusks. Its size and beauty make it a prize for shell collectors.