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Rough turbo

Distribution : Mediterranean

“Saint Lucy’s eye” is the best-known part of the rough star shell. This operculum closes the shell when the snail withdraws. Underwater, the living animal is a squat, algae-camouflaged snail whose movement may reveal its presence.

Habitat of Rough turbo Habitat
Rocky habitat, Seagrass meadow, Coralligenous habitat
Depth range of Rough turbo Depth
3-100 m
Biological group of Rough turbo Group
Ecological role of Rough turbo Role
Herbivore

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

Its strong shell coils into a low spiral and is wider than it is tall. It measures around five centimetres high and six across, with larger individuals occurring. Juveniles often have clearer spiny projections than adults.

Attached organisms frequently hide the brown to greenish colour. The rounded opening is pearly. The operculum, a thick calcareous piece carried on the foot, has a pinkish-orange outer face and closes the entrance when the body withdraws.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

The snail uses algae-rich rocks, Neptune-grass meadows and coralligenous seabeds, structures partly built by lime-producing algae. Records range from a few metres to around a hundred.

Algae and small organisms colonising the shell blur its outline. A living individual may therefore blend into its support.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

It is herbivorous, mainly grazing soft algal parts. Its radula, a band with many microscopic teeth, removes food from surfaces.

The foot provides movement during feeding. The snail therefore uses seabed algae rather than filtering particles from water.

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Rough turbo

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