Guildfordia superba

Guildfordia superba
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Vetigastropoda
Order: Trochida
Family: Turbinidae
Genus: Guildfordia
Species:
G. superba
Binomial name
Guildfordia superba

Guildfordia superba, common name the superb star turban, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Turbinidae, the turban snails.[2]

Description

The width of the shell, including spines, can vary from 75mm to 90mm[3], while the diameter with spines is approximately 40mm. The height of the shell is approximately 21.8-23.5mm.[4] G. superba has a low, conical spire. The overall shape is turbinate, as is implied by the family name Turbinidae. The umbilicus is wide, and the anterior surface of the shell is white to opalescent and glossy, with a tan colored spiral band following the body whorl. The posterior surface of the shell is also glossy but is tan to brown, with radiating axial bands of darker or more golden brown decorating the whorls. G. superba displays characteristic spines radiating from the anterior edge of the body whorl. The aperture is oblong, and the posterior lip extends beyond the anterior side of the lip.[3]

Distribution and Habitat

This marine benthic[5] species occurs in and is endemic to the coasts of the Balut Island, Philippines. It is found in waters between 100-200 meters below the surface.[6][3]

Life Habits

Diet

Species in the family Turbinidae are herbivorous grazers.[7][5]

Reproduction

Member species of the subclass Vetigastropoda are gonochoric and broadcast spawners.[8]

Locomotion

G. superba moves by mucus mediated gliding.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Poppe, Tagaro & Dekker. 2005. Visaya 1(3) : 4–10. World Register of Marine Species, Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  2. ↑ Guildfordia superba Poppe, Tagaro & Dekker, 2005. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 20 April 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 "The Chong Chen Archives | Conchology". www.conchology.be. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  4. ↑ "(PDF) Discovery of a new Guildfordia (GASTROPODA, TURBINIDAE) )near Balut Island, South of Mindanao, the Philippines". ResearchGate. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 "superb star turban - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  6. ↑ "Guildfordia superba | Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS)". obis.org. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  7. ↑ "Turbinidae family". jgs.nexgate.ch. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  8. ↑ "Guildfordia superba". www.sealifebase.ca. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  • Poppe G.T., Tagaro S. & Dekker H. (2005) Discovery of a new Guildfordia (Gastropoda, Turbinidae) near Balut Island, south of Mindanao, The Philippines. Visaya 1(3): 4-10
  • Alf A. & Kreipl K. (2011) The family Turbinidae. Subfamilies Turbininae Rafinesque, 1815 and Prisogasterinae Hickman & McLean, 1990. In: G.T. Poppe & K. Groh (eds), A Conchological Iconography. Hackenheim: Conchbooks. pp. 1–82, pls 104-245