Clea (gastropod) explained

Clea is a genus of freshwater snails with opercula, aquatic gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Anentominae of the family Nassariidae, a family, almost all of the rest of which are marine.

Name

The members of this genus are known as assassin snails for their habit of eating other snails. They bury themselves and ambush their prey.

Taxonomy

This genus was treated within family Buccinidae. It was moved to family Nassariidae in 2016.[1] It was classified in the newly established subfamily Anentominae within Nassariidae in 2017.[2]

Species

Species within the genus Clea include:[3]

The following species are treated within the separate genus Anentome. Previously they were treated within the subgenus Anentome.[4]

Synonyms:

Distribution

This genus occurs in Asia and Africa.[7]

Reproduction

Clea consists of defined male and female genders and is not capable of gender change. It is unknown as to how to sex these animals. Both males and females seem to be the same size and shape. When a male and female mate, they lock together for 8–12 hours.

Feeding habits

Like all snails in the clade Neogastropoda, snails in this genus are carnivorous. They feed on different types of worms and gastropods, often eating other, larger snails after burying themselves and ambushing their prey.[8]

Human use

Some members of this genus is a part of ornamental pet trade for freshwater aquaria.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Galindo, L. A., Puillandre, N., Utge, J., Lozouet, P., & Bouchet, P. (2016). "The phylogeny and systematics of the Nassariidae revisited (Gastropoda, Buccinoidea)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 99: 337-353.
  2. Strong, E. E., Galindo, L. A., & Kantor, Y. I. (2017). "Quid est Clea helena? Evidence for a previously unrecognized radiation of assassin snails (Gastropoda: Buccinoidea: Nassariidae)". PeerJ 5: e3638. .
  3. Bouchet, P. (2017). Clea H. Adams & A. Adams, 1855. In: MolluscaBase (2017). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=490505 on 2017-11-21
  4. Bouchet, P.; Marshall, B. (2017). Anentome Cossmann, 1901. In: MolluscaBase (2017). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=724651 on 2017-11-21
  5. Richter, K. & Rintelen, T. 2011. Clea broti. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T189340A8718447. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T189340A8718447.en. Downloaded on 21 November 2017.
  6. Bouchet, P. (2017). Nassodonta annesleyi. In: MolluscaBase (2017). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1027039 on 2017-11-21
  7. Web site: Clea helena, formerly known as Anentome helena . Monks . Neale . Neale Monks . 4 March 2014 . https://archive.today/20130105111035/http://brackishfaq.webspace.virginmedia.com/Projects/cleahelena.html . 5 January 2013 . dead .
  8. Web site: Assassin Snails and Sulawesi Elephant Snails: Keeping Clea and Tylomelania in the aquarium . Monks . Neale . Neale Monks . 2009 . Conscientious Aquarist Magazine . 6 . 4 . Clea are whelks, most of which live in the sea. Like their marine relatives, Clea are opportunistic carnivores that feed on both live prey and carrion. Among the prey taken are snails, and it is this that has made them popular with fishkeepers. Clea stay partially hidden under the sediment, and if a snail slides past, then quickly (by snail standards) jump into action, chasing their prey and eventually subduing it. . March 11, 2014.
  9. Ng, T. H., Tan, S. K., Wong, W. H., Meier, R., Chan, S. Y., Tan, H. H., & Yeo, D. C. (2016). "Molluscs for sale: assessment of freshwater gastropods and bivalves in the ornamental pet trade". PLoS ONE 11(8): e0161130.

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