diff between Sundial and Caribbean nerite

[fastjunkie]

Just got a cuc from reef cleaners and noticed some of the nerite snails look alot like Sundial snails. Googled pix and they do indeed look alot alike....how can you tell the difference?.....size?

 

[cloak]

Sundial snails are a lot more slender than Nerite snails. Also, the operculum on a Sundial snail is like a little spike, as opposed to flat trap door.

http://www.coralpedia.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=424

 

[pagojoe]

Yeah, the sundials are a lot more flattened, more like a disc (thinner). Nerites don't have the checkerboard sculpture, although they may have a checkerboard pattern, more or less. The sundials also have a large umbilicus, or central opening on the bottom, formed by the later whorls expanding without touching in the middle.

Cheers,



Don

 

[fastjunkie]

Thanx guys!