Preface to Class of Scaphopoda

SEA SHELL
Photo: Ralph Body 		Literal meaning: Boat-footed or shovel-footed

Common name: Tusk shell or tooth shell
Shell: The shell is open at both ends.

  • It is tapered, tubular and slightly curved.
  • A smooth shell is uncommon.
  • The anterior end is the widest, the posterior end is the narrowest part of the shell.
  • A notch is often present at the posterior end.
  • The shell may have longitudinal or annular ribs.
  • The shell is held in an oblique position on the foot.
  • The posterior end forms the apex and protrudes above the substrate.
  • The shell increases in size by growth at the anterior end. the same time part of the posterior end is dissolved away.
  • The body of the animal can be completely withdrawn into the shell.

    Animal: The animal has no head, eyes, nor gills.
  • Respiration takes place on the surface of the mantle.
  • The radula is well developed with five teeth in each row.
  • Filamentous feeding tentacles called captacula extend from the proboscis and pull food to the mouth.
  • There is no operculum.

    Habitat: All specimens live in a marine environment away from areas with strong waves.

  • Some live in the deepest ocean trenches while a few species live in shallow waters.
  • Some have been found over 3,500 meters below the surface.

    Food: Small micro-organisms such as foraminiferans which live below the surface of the substrate.

    Reference: Class - Scaphopoda {tooth shells, tusk shells} H. G. Bronn, 1862

    (8-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0)
    Ref. Abbott, 1974 p 383
    Abbott & Dance, 1982 p 386
    Amer. Fish. Soc., 1988 p 5,50
    Audubon, 1981 p 655
    Dance, 1974 p 26
    Keen, 1971 p 19,883
    Lindner, 1978 p 120
    Simon & Schuster, 1979 p 485
    Tadash, 225
    Vaught, 1989 p xi,142
    Wagner & Abbott, 1977
    Syn. Cirrhobranchiata H. M. D. de Blainville, 1825;
    Lateribranchiata W. Clark, 1851;
    Prosocephala H. G. Bronn, 1862;
    Solenoconcha Lacaze-Duthiers, 1857
    Ref. Habe, 1964 p 1