Trochus (species: Rochia nilotica) in Lizard Island area: all known taxa (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Rochia nilotica
Trochus


©Anne Hoggett: Rochia nilotica on the reef flat, eastern side of Lizard Island, at night.

©Anne Hoggett: Rochia nilotica at Lizard Island. Note fecal pellets at right.

©Anne Hoggett: A Trochus snail withdrawing into its shell at Lizard Island.
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Mollusca
Class Gastropoda
Family Tegulidae
Genus Rochia
Species Rochia nilotica

Colours

                   

Distinguishing features

A large, very heavy shell with a thick rim, dull white with brick-red markings

Size

  • Up to 15 cm (Shell height according to Wilson, 1993)

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Local abundance

  • Lizard Island: Trochus are common near exposed reef crests.

Web resources

References

References that assist with identification

  • Wilson, B. (1993). Australian Marine Shells: 1. Prosobranch gastropods Odyssey Publishing, Kallaroo, Western Australia.

Other references

  • Alvarez Noriega, M. (2019). Competition and coexistence of reef-corals. PhD thesis, James Cook University. LIRS catalog number 2371.
  • Beaton, J.M. (1978). Archaeology and the Great Barrier Reef, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, London, B, 284: 141-147. LIRS catalog number 252.
  • View all references