GLOSSARY OF GASTROPOD MORPHOLOGIC TERMS

Illustrations and objective data courtesy of AMOCO Production Co., Alan B. Shaw (Manager, South Florida Carbonate Project), and Brian F. Glenister (AMOCO Consultant)

A1. Shape

General shape of the shell
 
 
Character State Definition Illustration
patelliform Non-coiled and low cap-shaped

turreted Flat or gently rounded base with very high spire      
turbinate Top-shaped with a rounded base
dextral Aperture is on right side of shell. In apical view, shell coils in clockwise direction
obconical Nearly flat spire with strongly conical base
bubble

Nearly flat spire with apex and base having nearly the same widths

BUBBLES HAVE ONLY ONE WHORL!!!
fusiform Spindle-shaped, largest in middle and pointed at both ends
conoidal Spire and body whorl forming a cone that is distinctly steeper-sided near the base than at the apex
worm A thin shell that forms a long and irregular tube
conch Large shell that has knobs on the body whorl and a thick outer lip
 

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Last updated on September 3, 2002-eek.