Cumia reticulata
Cumia reticulata | |
---|---|
Shells of Cumia reticulata | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
(unranked): | clade Caenogastropoda clade Hypsogastropoda clade Neogastropoda |
Superfamily: | Buccinoidea |
Family: | Colubrariidae |
Genus: | Cumia |
Species: | C. reticulata |
Binomial name | |
Cumia reticulata (de Blainville, 1829) | |
Synonyms[1] | |
|
Cumia reticulata,[1] common name the false triton, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Colubrariidae.
It is commonly known as the vampire snail because it feeds on the blood of fishes when they are asleep. Colubraria reticulata are commonly found in rocky and coral environments that are tropical or subtropical and temperate seas.[2]
Description
The length of the shell varies between 10 mm and 64 mm.
Distribution
The type locality is Sicily. It also occurs off West Africa.
Feeding habits
The vampire snail possesses a long thin proboscis to feed on the blood of the fishes. Once contact is made between the proboscis and the skin of the fish, the proboscis extends its length to gain access to the blood vessel.[2]
Secretion of Bioactive Molecules
Upon contact with the skin, anesthetic is secreted to numb the area. Common anesthetics from protein families ShK, Turripeptide, ADA, and CAP-ShK were found to be present during hematophagy. In addition, anticoagulants such as PS1, Meprin, and Kunitz were also present to prevent blood clotting. Furthermore, vasopressives were found and because the proboscis is thin, it is hypothesized for vasopressives to increase blood pressure to allow maximization of blood income and feeding time.[2]
Turritoxin which is unique to the vampire snail, is also produced by coneshell. Although the function of turritoxin is specifically unknown to the vampire snail, scientists have looked towards coneshell and hypothesized that the use of turritoxin is of the same manner.[2]
References
- 1 2 Bouchet, P. (2010). Cumia reticulata (Blainville, 1829). In: MolluscaBase (2017). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=527497 on 2017-11-15
- 1 2 3 4 Modica, Maria; Lombardo, Fabrizio; Franchini, Paolo (2015). "The venomous cocktail of the vampire snail Colubraria reticulata (Mollusca, Gastropoda)" (PDF). BMC Genomics.
- Gofas, S.; Le Renard, J.; Bouchet, P. (2001). Mollusca. in: Costello, M.J. et al. (eds), European Register of Marine Species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Patrimoines Naturels. 50: 180-213
- Bernard, P.A. (Ed.) (1984). Coquillages du Gabon [Shells of Gabon]. Pierre A. Bernard: Libreville, Gabon. 140, 75 plates pp.
- Ardovini R. (2014) Istituzione di una nuova varietà appartenente alla famiglia Colubrariidae Dall, 1904 nel Mediterraneo e revisione sistematica. Malacologia Mostra Mondiale 82: 6-8
Further reading
- Deshayes, G. P., 1835. Mollusques. Pp. 81-203, pl. 18-26, in Bory de Saint-Vincent J.B.G.M. (ed.), Expédition scientifique de Morée. Section des Sciences Physiques. Tome III. 1ere Partie. Zoologie. Première Section. Animaux vertébrés, Mollusques et Polypiers. Levrault, Paris
- Bivona-Bernardi And., 1838. Generi e specie di molluschi descritti dal Barone Antonio Bivona e Bernardi. Lavori postumi pubblicati dal figlio Andrea dottore in medicina con note ed aggiunte. Giornale di Scienze Lettere e Arti per la Sicilia 61: 211-227 [stated date march 1838]; 63: 319-324
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cumia reticulata. |
- Gastropods.com: Cumia reticulata
- Helbling G. S. (1779). Beyträge zur Kenntniß neuer und seltener Konchylien. Aus einigen Wienerischen Sammlungen. Abhandlungen einer Privatgesellschaft in Böhmen, zur Aufnahme der Mathematik, der vaterländischen Geschichte, und der Naturgeschichte, 4: 102-131, pl. 1-4
- Brusina S. (1870). Ipsa Chiereghinii Conchylia ovvero contribuzione pella malacologia adriatica. Pisa, Biblioteca Malacologica pp. 280
- Sowerby, G. B. I & Sowerby, G. B. II. (1832-1841). The conchological illustrations or, Coloured figures of all the hitherto unfigured recent shells. London, privately published
- Blainville H. M. (D. de) (1828-1830). Malacozoaires ou Animaux Mollusques. in Faune Française. Levrault, Paris 320 p., 48 pl. [livr. 18 (1828), p. 1-80; livr. 2 (1829), p. 81-176; livr. 23 (1829), p. 177-240; livr. 28 (1830), p. 241-320
- Delle Chiaje S. (1823-1831). Memorie sulla storia e notomia degli animali senza vertebre del regno di Napoli. Napoli: Fratelli Fernandes (vol. 1), and Società Tipografica (vol. 2-4).
- Monterosato, T. A. (1880). Notizie intorno ad alcune conchiglie delle coste d'Africa. Bullettino della Società Malacologica Italiana, Pisa. 5: 213-233