BIOTIC Species Information for Turritella communis
Researched byLizzie Tyler Data supplied byUniversity of Sheffield
Refereed byThis information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific nameTurritella communis Common nameAn auger shell
MCS CodeW270 Recent Synonyms

PhylumMollusca Subphylum
Superclass ClassGastropoda
SubclassProsobranchia OrderMesogastropoda
Suborder FamilyTurritellidae
GenusTurritella Speciescommunis
Subspecies   

Additional Information
Taxonomy References Gibson et al., 2001, Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Graham, 1988,
General Biology
Growth formTurbinate
Feeding methodPassive suspension feeder
Active suspension feeder
Surface deposit feeder
Sub-surface deposit feeder
Mobility/MovementCrawler
Burrower
Environmental positionInfaunal
Typical food typesSuspended organic particles HabitFree living
BioturbatorNot relevant FlexibilityNone (< 10 degrees)
FragilityRobust SizeSmall-medium(3-10cm)
HeightNot researched Growth RateNot Researched
Adult dispersal potentialNot researched DependencyIndependent
SociabilitySolitary Host forOccasionally a neotenous dwarf form of Capulus ungaricus (L.) (Gastropoda, Prosobranchia).
Toxic/Poisonous?No
General Biology Additional Information
Biology References Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Fish & Fish, 1996, Graham, 1988, Graham, 1938, Yonge, 1946b, Thorson, 1965, Yonge & Thompson, 1976, Seaward, 1982, Christensen, 1980, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data,
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandFound throughout much of the British Isles and Ireland, apart from in the eastern English Channel and the southern North Sea.
Global distributionFound in north-west Europe from Norway to the Shetlands and south to Spain and the Canary Isles and in the Meditteranean off the coasts of Greece and Malta.
Biogeographic rangeTemperate to warm temperate. Depth range0 - 220 m
MigratoryNon-migratory / Resident   
Distribution Additional Information

Substratum preferencesCoarse clean sand
Fine clean sand
Sandy mud
Muddy sand
Mud
Gravelley sand
Gravelly mud
Physiographic preferencesOpen coast
Offshore seabed
Biological zoneSublittoral Fringe
Upper Infralittoral
Lower Infralittoral
Upper Circalittoral
Lower Circalittoral
Circalittoral Offshore
Wave exposureField unresearched
Tidal stream strength/Water flowField unresearched
SalinityFull (30-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References JNCC, 1999, NBN, 2002, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Graham, 1988, Seaward, 1982, Christensen, 1980, Julie Bremner, unpub data,
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive typeGonochoristic
Developmental mechanism
Reproductive SeasonNot researched Reproductive LocationInsufficient information
Reproductive frequencyAnnual episodic Regeneration potential No
Life span6-10 years Age at reproductive maturity1-2 years
Generation timeNot researched Fecundity
Egg/propagule size Fertilization typeInternal
Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potentialNot researched Larval settlement periodNot researched
Duration of larval stage   
Reproduction Preferences Additional Information
Reproduction References Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Fish & Fish, 1996, Graham, 1988, Yonge & Thompson, 1976, Lebour, 1933, Seaward, 1982, Julie Bremner, unpub data,
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