General Description
Shell rough with distinct raised spiral ridges. Short pointed end (spire). Usually white or grey, sometimes with light or dark zigzag lines or stripes. Shell up to 2 cm long.
Biology
Ribbed Top Shells are often referred to as Periwinkles, but they are not related to the European shells of this name. Other top shells in this genus also live in south-eastern Australia and have various striped and checked patterns. All of them are grazers, feeding on algae.
Distribution
Eastern and southern mainland Australia and Tasmania.
Habitat
Mud and rocks in the intertidal zone.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Rough, raised spiral ridges.
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Colours
White, Grey, Brown
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Habitats
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Diet
Herbivore
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Diet Categories
Algae
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
CITES: Not listed, FFG Threatened List: Not listed, DSE Advisory List: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
Shore (0-1 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
(Lamarck, 1822)
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Common Name
Ribbed Top Shell
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Other Names
Common Periwinkle , Torr's Southern Periwinkle
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Superclass
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Class
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Subclass
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Order
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Superfamily
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Family
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Subfamily
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Genus
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Species Name
constricta
