This MedLibrary.org supplementary page on Xenophoridae is provided directly from the open source Wikipedia as a service to our readers. Please see the note below on authorship of this content, as well as the Wikipedia usage guidelines. To search for other content from our encyclopedia supplement, please use the form below:
Related Sponsors
| Xenophoridae | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 a carrier shell
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Genera | ||||||||||||||||||
|
See text. |
Xenophoridae, common name carrier shells, are a taxonomic family of medium-sized to large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the order Sorbeoconcha.
Xenophorids are unusual in that in many of the species the animal cements small stones or shells to the edge of the shell as it grows, thus the shells of those species are sometimes humorously referred to as "shell-collecting shells". The genus name Xenophora comes from two ancient Greek words and means "bearing (or carrying) foreigners".
Contents |
Distribution
This family is tropical.
Shell description
The shells of Xenophoridae are top-shaped, with a fairly depressed spire and a flat to concave base. The body whorl overhangs at the periphery and sometimes forms a flange. Most carrier shells have an open, deep umbilicus and a thin, usually smooth, horny operculum.
The outer finish of the shell is generally dull white, beige, tan or brown, whereas the soft parts may be brilliantly coloured.
Characteristically, the shell is covered at the periphery with a series of other shells, pebbles, or other objects which are cemented to the shell with secretions from the animal. All bivalve shells are attached with the inner side up, and gastropods are usually attached with the aperture up.
Genera within the family Xenophoridae
References
- Calyptraeidae (TSN 72611). Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- Powell A. W. B., New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
- [1]
 |
This neotaenioglossa-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 9 November 2008, at 06:46.
Wikipedia Authorship and Review
Wikipedia content provided here is not reviewed directly by MedLibrary.org. Wikipedia content is authored by an open community of volunteers and is not produced by or in any way affiliated with MedLibrary.org.
Wikipedia Usage Guidelines
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article on "Xenophoridae".
The URL for this specific entry is:
All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details). Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.