Neverita didyma (Röding, 1798)
Neverita didyma, also known as the bladder moon snail , moon shell or by its more popular synonym, Natica didyma belongs to the family Naticidae and is a predatory sea snail found in marine environments.
Current Status of Name :
This name is currently accepted taxonomically.
Rank : Species
Environment : Marine
Taxonomy Classification
- Kingdom : Animalia
- Phylum : Mollusca
- Class : Gastropoda
- Order : Littorinimorpha
- Family : Naticidae
- Genus : Neverita
- Species : Neverita didyma
Neverita didyma
Description :
Shell Morphology:
- Medium-sized globular shell, typically 2-5 cm in width
- Shell shape is semi-globose, broader than high, with a low spire
- Aperture is large, semi-circular, with a thickened outer lip
- Umbilicus (navel) is partly covered by a callus pad
- Sculpture consists of regular spiral grooves/ridges on the shell surface
- Color is pale tan, cream, or light gray, with irregular darker blotches
Soft Body:
- Large muscular foot used for burrowing and locomotion
- Long inhalant siphon used for respiration
- Retractable proboscis with a small radula for feeding
- Pair of tentacles with eyes at their base
Habitat and Ecology:
- Found in shallow marine waters of the western Atlantic
- Lives burrowed in sandy or muddy bottoms in bays, estuaries, and nearshore areas
- A predatory gastropod that feeds on bivalves by drilling through shells
- Uses its large foot to plow through sediment while hunting prey
Reproduction and Life Cycle:
- Sexes are separate; fertilization occurs externally after gamete release
- Females lay leathery egg cases containing many eggs
- Planktonic veliger larvae develop before settling and metamorphosing
Distribution:
- Native range spans the western Atlantic coastal areas
- From North Carolina to Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean
Significance:
- An ecologically important predator in coastal benthic communities
- Shells are collected by shell enthusiasts and traders
- Some evidence of traditional use by indigenous cultures
The Doubled Neverita gets its name from the distinctive doubled or partially covered umbilicus on its globular shell. This western Atlantic moon snail is a voracious predator of bivalves in coastal ecosystems throughout its range.