Polinices spp.

Researched By	Morvan Barnes	Data Supplied By	MarLIN
Refereed by	This information is not refereed
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Polinices spp.	Common name	A neckless shell
MCS Code	W488	Recent Synonyms
Phylum	Mollusca	Subphylum
Superclass		Class	Gastropoda
Subclass	Prosobranchia	Order	Mesogastropoda
Suborder		Family	Naticidae
Genus	Polinices	Species
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Howson & Picton, 1997
General Biology
Growth form	Turbinate	Feeding method	Predator
Mobility/Movement	Burrower, Crawler	Environmental position	Epifaunal, Epibenthic
Typical food types	Predominantly bivalves	Habit	Free living
Bioturbator	Not relevant	Flexibility	None (< 10 degrees)
Fragility	Robust	Size	Small(1-2cm)
Height	Not researched	Growth Rate	Not Researched
Adult dispersal potential	Not researched	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References	Edwards & Huebner, 1977, Kingsley-Smith et al., 2003, Ansell, 1982, Copeland, 1922, Graham, 1988, Christensen, 1980, Seaward, 1982, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Found on all British and Irish coasts.
Global distribution	Found throughout the world's oceans including north-west Europe much of Asia, north-east Australia, southern Africa, Brazil and the American north Atlantic.
Biogeographic range	Temperate to warm temperate, occasionally tropical.	Depth range	From 10 m to 200 m depth.
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences	Gravel / shingle, Coarse clean sand, Fine clean sand, Muddy sand, Muddy sandy gravel, Gravelley sand	Physiographic preferences	Open coast, Offshore seabed
Biological zone	Sublittoral Fringe, Upper Infralittoral, Lower Infralittoral, Upper Circalittoral, Lower Circalittoral, Circalittoral Offshore	Wave exposure	Field unresearched
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Field unresearched	Salinity	Full (30-40 psu)
Habitat Additional Information
Distribution References	Christensen, 1980, Seaward, 1982, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Planktotrophic, Oviparous, Planktotrophic
Reproductive Season	See additional information	Reproductive Location	As adult
Reproductive frequency	Annual protracted	Regeneration potential	No
Life span	3-5 years	Age at reproductive maturity	1-2 years
Generation time	1-2 years	Fecundity	See additional information
Egg/propagule size	Egg collar weight variable	Fertilization type	Internal
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Not relevant Larval settlement period 45 days after hatching Duration of larval stage 1-2 months
Additional Information	Reproductive maturity is related to size-8-10mm. Fecundity is also variable, and strongly correlated to age and size of female. Larval duration is around 45 days, but this is dependant on sediment triggered metamorphosis. Reproduction is throughout the year, with access to males and sufficient food, with peaks in July and August. Developmental mechanism is primarily planktotrophic although some species are thought to have direct development.
Reproduction References	Kingsley-Smith et al., 2005, Kingsley-Smith et al., 2003, Ansell, 1982, Graham, 1988, Seaward, 1982, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b