Antalis vulgaris


Antalis vulgaris, commonly known as the common tusk shell, is a species of scaphopods mainly encountered on sandy bottoms from 5 to 1000 meters depth.

Description

Antalis vulgaris is a small mollusc of 3 to 6 cm length with a characteristic elephant tusk shape. Its shell is opaque white and displays closely spaced longitudinal striations on the posterior portion. The anterior aperture is circular and is occluded by a septum with a central pipe bearing a circular orifice.

Distribution

The common tusk shell is found from south-western United Kingdom to western Mediterranean.

Diet

The species stands vertically in soft grounds and search the sand with specific adhesive tentacles for small benthic species such as foraminifera.

Reproduction

Separated sexes. The fecundation is external and gives rise to planktonic larvae called trochophore.

Similar species

Antalis entalis is smaller, has a pyriform-shaped anterior orifice and has no longitudinal striations.Fustiaria rubescens is smaller and has a pink coloration. Ditrupa arietina is an annelid belonging to the polychaete class and living in a calcified conical tube.