Naticarius plicatella
12,00 €
Series: Pliocene.
Origin: Clewiston, Hendry County, Florida, USA.
Measurements: 3.9 cm x 3 cm
1 in stock
Naticarius with operculum.
The operculum is a horny or calcareous plate attached to the back of the animal's foot, which fits exactly into the stoma, the opening of the shell, as a lid, closing it when the animal hides.
Functions of the operculum:
- Protection against predators: When the snail retracts, the operculum hermetically closes the opening of the shell, blocking access to the most vulnerable soft parts.
- Prevention of desiccation: It keeps humidity inside and prevents evaporation, which is vital for terrestrial species or those that live in intertidal areas exposed to the sun.
- Environmental defense: It acts as a physical barrier against extreme weather conditions and external irritants.
- Passive resistance (hibernation/estivation): It allows the animal to seal its shell during periods of drought or extreme cold, reducing its metabolism to a minimum.
- Buoyancy and positioning: In some pelagic species, the operculum helps maintain the stability or position of the animal in the water column.
