How to ID a Columbellid snail

[mastou]

I think I may have posted in a wrong forum, since there are very few snail-threads in the "Tridacnid Clams and other Mollusks"-forum...well is called "Tridacnid Clams and other Mollusks"

Even though I got an ID I would really like to know if I have understood who to differentiate between Columbellids and Whelks/Conchs

This is a link to the thread:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1004160

And my question were:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8878560#post8878560 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mastou
So would it be safe to say that you could identify a Columbellid by the shape of its shell, the lack of a true siphonal canal and a lack of a visible eye of the end of the stalks?

Further more I was a bit confused about the piece of shell on the foot as I have read that whelks have that but don't recall it being mentioned for columbellids (see earlier pic).

Thanks, Magnus

If possible it might make more sense to move the whole thread but that is not essential

/Magnus

 

[mastou]

Nobody?

Is the features I mentioned the best way to identify a Columbellid snail?

And what about the small shell piece on its foot (see pic below):

/Magnus

 

[greenbean36191]

Columbellids are whelks. The siphonal canal and spot eyes at the base of the tentacles are characters of just about all whelks, including these guys. Also, the presence of an operculum (the bit of shell on the foot) isn't of much use since most snail groups have them.

Besides just being familiar with the group, I don't really know of any definite characteristics to look for that would make them easy to tell apart from other whelks.

 

[mastou]

I thought that whelks/conchs both had a larger operculum which could seal the snail inside its house...

But thanks anyway guess I just have to settle with the color pattern on the shell...

/Magnus