Lambis truncata

Lambis truncata, common name the giant spider conch, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Strombidae, the true conchs.

Subspecies

[Image:Lambis truncata truncata 37.jpg|150px|thumb|left|A shell of Lambis truncata truncata]
Image:Lambis truncata [sebae 28a.jpg|150px|thumb|left|A shell of Lambis truncata sebae]
Subspecies of Lambis truncata include:Lambis truncata truncata Lambis truncata sebae
Lambis truncata truncata has a flat apex, while the apex of Lambis truncata sebae is more pointed.

Description

[Image:Lambis truncata Kiener1843.jpg|thumb|left|A colored drawing of Lambis truncata from Kiener, 1843, depicting both the shell and soft parts]
Lambis truncata is the largest and heaviest of spider shells, up to 40 cm. Lambis truncata is similar to Lambis lambis but with a more squarish outline. Younger shells are creamy white; columella and lip usually mauve brown when older.

Distribution

The distribution of Lambis truncata includes the Indian Ocean off Aldabra, Chagos, Madagascar, Mauritius, Tanzania; the Bay of Bengal and in the Pacific Ocean along the Philippines.

Ecology

Lambis truncata lives on rubble and coarse sand in shallow water.