Homalocantha scorpio

Housing of Homalocantha scorpio, 35.6 mm long, from the by-catch in Mandawe, Cebu, Philippines

The Scorpion worm ( Homalocantha scorpio ) is a snail from the family of whelks ( Muricidae ), which is common in the Indo-Pacific.

Features

The elongated, according towards the apex somewhat top- shaped shell of Homalocantha scorpio, which reaches a length of up to 5.5 cm in adult snails, has a great body handling, which occupies 70 to 80 percent of the housing length, a very short thread and a small, round mouth, which expires in a rather short Siphonalkanal. The case is set with five rows of sprouts that are spread almost hand -shaped at the top. The black beads are serrated, the last bead is larger with much larger, at the end rather hammer-shaped rungs. The seam on the last deal is tied together. The ground color is pale reddish, blending into the brown, but can vary from white to chocolate brown. The mouth is white.

Distribution, habitat and way of life

The Scorpion worm occurs in the Indo-Pacific, such as in the Red Sea, the Moluccas and the Philippines, where they can be found on coral reefs. About lifestyle, diet, reproductive cycle or the anatomy of the worm there has been no scientific investigations.

Relevance to humans

Homalocantha scorpio, known for a long time under the original name Murex scorpio Linnaeus, is collected because of its housing, which is sold as jewelry.