Scorpion Spider Conch

Lambis scorpius is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs.

Description

The size of an adult shell varies between 95 mm and 220 mm. A beautiful species, easily recognizable among the lambis with its beautiful aperture and knobby digits. The brilliantly-colored aperture starkly contrasts with the usually drab and encrusted dorsum. However, young specimens that lack the dorsal growth can be quite colorful.

Distribution

This species is distributed in the Indian Ocean along Chagos, Madagascar and Tanzania; in the Western Pacific and along the Philippines to New Caledonia.

Habitat

It is found on live coral reef areas as well as under or among dead coral slabs and boulders. Also found in shallow subtidal zones. Occurs at the low tide mark. Members of the order Neotaenioglossa are mostly gonochoric and broadcast spawners. Life cycle: Embryos develop into planktonic trocophore larvae and later into juvenile veligers before becoming fully grown adults.