Ponderia caledonica

Ponderia caledonica
Shell of Ponderia caledonica (holotype at MNHN, Paris)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Subclass:	Caenogastropoda
Order:	Neogastropoda
Family:	Muricidae
Genus:	Ponderia
Species:	P. caledonica
Binomial name
Ponderia caledonica Houart, 1988

Ponderia caledonica is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Muricidae, the murex snails or rock snails.

Description

The Ponderia Calledonica family is a species of marine snails in Muriside, commonly known as muurex snails or rock snails. Described by Rolland Hourt in 1988, this species is distinguished by its complex sculpture shell, which reaches a length of about 15.1 mm. Ponderia Calledonica is a sea gastropod found in the water of New Calledonia, an area known for its diverse Mollskain organisms. Like other members of Muricidae, it is possibly a predator, feeding on other marine inaccessible. Although detailed ecological and behavior studies on this species are limited, its classification within Murisids suggests that it shares general characteristics with other rock snails, such as a strong shell and a carnivorous diet.

Distribution

This marine species occurs off New Caledonia.

References

• Houart, R., 1988. Description of seven new species of Muricidae (Neagastropoda) from the south-western Pacific Ocean. Venus 47(3): 185-196
• Merle D., Garrigues B. & Pointier J.-P. (2011) Fossil and Recent Muricidae of the world. Part Muricinae. Hackenheim: Conchbooks. 648 pp.