The moon snail Polinices duplicatus (=Neverita duplicata (Say, 1822)) (family
Naticidae) crawls at a speed of 6 m [h.sup.-1] when using ciliary propulsion and a speed of between 10 and 20 m [h.sup.-1] when using muscular propulsion (Copeland, 1922).
Selection for prey shell thickness by the naticid gastropod Euspira lewisii (
Naticidae) on the bivalve Protothaca staminea (Veneridae).
2 species each were reportedfrom families Turbinidae, Cerithidae, Potamididae,
Naticidae, Conidae and Volemidae whereas 1 species each belongs to remaining 13 families.
Gastropods of family Cerithiidae are the most abundant (840 shells, 41% of the recorded gastropods) while families Fissurellidae, Patellidae,
Naticidae, Golmbellidae, Fasciolariidae and Pyramideloidae are represented by less than ten shells for each (Table I, Fig.
0.9 Engraulis ringens -1.1 Peprilus medius -0.6 Larvas MOLLUSCA:
Naticidae Cephalopoda Gasteropoda Loligo gahi 0.3 -1.4 1997 IIR %IIR DJ VER OTO INV PRI Prom.
Studies of boring gastropods have largely focused on the drilling behaviors and patterns for Muricidae and
Naticidae. Most of these studies examined the boring activity of these gastropods on bivalves.
He started with the
Naticidae in 1976, but soon realised work of this nature necessitated that he examine material in overseas museums.
Carnivorous gastropods within the Muricidae (rock shells) and
Naticidae (moon snails) access their prey by drilling through the shell of the victim with a boring accessory combined with acid, thus leaving a perfectly round hole often confused with human modification by drilling.
Boring snails, including those in the families Muricidae,
Naticidae, and likely Ranellidae, are major predators on skate eggs and predation rates in nursery grounds can reach 40% or more (Lucifora and Garcla, 2004; Hoff, 2007).
The shells of species most easily taken were the most abundant in the middens, and included northern quahogs; softshell clams, Mya arenaria; bay scallops; blue mussels, Mytilus edulis; ribbed mussels, Geukensia demissa; oysters; and to a lesser extent slippersnails; conchs (whelks), Bus ycon carica and Bus ycotypus canaliculatus; and moonsnails (
Naticidae).