This is a snail eating the tentacle tips of an Urticina columbiana Sand Rose Anemone in Monterey, California.
I think the snail is Epitonium tinctum or Opalia chacia, but I've been led astray by a pretty shell before. Anyone know?
Thanks in advance.
The Enemy of My Anemone...
Started by ryann1k2j, Feb 28 2013 12:51 AM
3 replies to this topic
#1
ryann1k2j
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Sea Nettle
- Gender:Male
- Location:Central California
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Posted 28 February 2013 - 12:51 AM
#2
AllisonFinch
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Eagle Ray
- Location:Chapel Hill, NC
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Posted 28 February 2013 - 06:11 PM
Sure looks like it's feeding. Great shot!!
#3
Leslie
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Worm Girl
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Posted 01 March 2013 - 10:45 AM
I forwarded your image to Lindsey Groves, our museum's collection manager of molluscs. Here's his response:
"Definitely not an Opalia (FYI, O. chacei has been synonymized with O. borealis). It is most likelyEpitonium montereyensis, which Jim called E. indianorum in the Light’s Manual revision in 2007 (pl. 367E). Epitonium tinctum would be a best second best guess. The tiny specimen to the left of the large epitoniid is too small to id from this image. Hope this helps."
Jim is Jim McLean, the museum's curator emeritus of molluscs
#4
ryann1k2j
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Sea Nettle
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Posted 02 March 2013 - 07:27 PM
Thanks, Ver-a, and please pass on my thanks to Mr.McLean.
