| Lentigo lentiginosus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Five views of ashell of the silver conch,Lentigo lentiginosus | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Littorinimorpha |
| Family: | Strombidae |
| Genus: | Lentigo |
| Species: | L. lentiginosus |
| Binomial name | |
| Lentigo lentiginosus | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Lentigo lentiginosus, thesilver conch, is aspecies of medium-sizedsea snail, amarinegastropodmollusc in thefamilyStrombidae, the trueconchs.[1]
The maximum shell length of this species is 100 mm, but more commonly it grows up to 75 mm.[2]
As is the case in manystrombids, the adult shell ofLentigo lentiginosus is very heavy and thick, with a characteristic deep stromboid notch, and a flared, very thick and posteriorly expanded outer lip. Thecolumella is anteriorly projected, and thesiphonal canal is convex. Thebody whorl has a notably irregular surface, which is ornamented by spiral cords and rows of blunt tubercles that form elevated knobs on the shoulder.[2] The inner lip is smooth, with a large callus that often spreads over the spire and over thebody whorl. The shell has a tallspire, and each whorl of thespire has a row of heavy knobs and groves that nearly completely fold over each other.[2] The shell color is usually white with large irregular brown blotches and dots occurring at intervals over the shell surface. The columellar callus has a characteristic faint silvery gloss.[2] The lateral margin of the outer lips has a series of tan blotches. Theaperture is pink to orange on the interior, becoming paler towards the margins.[2]
_-_Strombidae_-_Mollusc_shell.jpeg)
Lentigo lentiginosus is widespread in the Indo-Pacific, fromEast Africa, includingAldabra,Madagascar,Mauritius andTanzania to easternPolynesia, and also in southernJapan and northernAustralia.[2][1]
The silver conch lives oncoral and sandy bottoms in clear water. It is commonly found on barrier or lagoonreefs, inintertidal and shallowsubtidal zones to a depth of around 4 m.[2]It is rarely seen buried in the sand.[3]
Like the other species that used to be included in thegenusStrombus,L. lentiginosus is known to be aherbivore.
The flesh ofLentigo lentiginosus is edible, and it is locally collected for food. The shell is used inshellcraft, and is commonly sold in local markets around the centralPhilippines.[2]