Virgin Nerite
Neritina virginea
Description 2
The virgin nerite, Neritina virginea, is a common gastropod in Florida belonging to the family Neritidae. Members of this family are characterized by a small, globular shell, and a calcareous operculum bearing one small, pointed hook at the end (Abbott & Morris 1995). The extremely polished shell of the virgin nerite has a semiglobular shape, with 3-4 whorls. Shell color is variable, and may be red, black, grayish green, tan or yellow, usually marked with lines and dots of black or purple (Abbott & Morris 1995, Andrews 1935). The operculum is smooth and generally black, closing on an oval aperture with a thin outer tip (Martins et al. 2002).
Look alikes 3
In Florida, two species that are closely related to the virgin nerite are the olive nerite, Neritina reclivata and the Clench's nerite, N. clenchi. The shell of the olive nerite measures about 1.3 cm, is semiglobular with 3-4 whorls, smooth, solid green or greenish with tiny black lines (Abbott & Morris 1995). The operculum is dark brown to black. This species is reported to prefer brackish waters and tidal areas of streams (Abbott & Morris 1995). At a maximum of about 2 cm, the shell of the Clench's nerite is slightly larger than N. reclivata or N. virginea (Andrews 1994). The shell shape is less globular than many other Neritina species, with 3-4 four whorls and a moderately pointed apex (Abbott & Morris 1995). Shell color is variable, with an area on the interior of the shell stained orange-yellow. The operculum is black to pink in color. This species can be found in fresh to brackish waters (Abbott & Morris 1995). The virgin nerite has been reported from Florida to Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico and Bermuda (Abbott & Morris 1995, Andrews 1994, Blanco et al. 2005, Boehs et al. 2004, Martins et al. 2002). Populations are found in intertidal areas, including mud bottoms and the roots of associated vegetation (Abbott & Morris 1995, Martins et al. 2002).
Link to Access Genomic Data 4
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?id=286797&lvl=0
Sources and Credits
- (c) Femorale, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.femorale.com/shellphotos/detail.asp?species=Neritina%20cf.%20virginea%20(L.,%201758)
- Adapted by matbio from a work by (c) Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/11527416
- Adapted by matbio from a work by (c) Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/11527419
- (c) Emily Rose Sharkey, all rights reserved
