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Muricopsis rosea (dwarf pink murex snail) (San Salvador Island, Bahamas) 2 (16189118771)

Image of Muricopsis rosea (Reeve 1846)

Description:

Description: Muricopsis rosea (Reeve, 1846) - apertural view of a dwarf pink murex snail shell, 1.05 cm tall. Family Muricidae - these gastropods have highly ornamented coiled shells - many have prominent spines and irregular ridges. Muricids prey on bivalves by boring through their shells, sometimes using secreted acid to assist in radular scraping. Successful boring into bivalve shells is followed by partial external digestion - the snail inserts digestive enzymes into the clam. Liquified clam tissues are are then withdrawn and consumed by the snail. Date: 18 February 2011, 23:38. Source: Muricopsis rosea (dwarf pink murex snail) (San Salvador Island, Bahamas) 2. Author: James St. John.

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