Penion maximus | |
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A shell of Penion maximus | |
Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
Order: | Neogastropoda |
Family: | Austrosiphonidae |
Genus: | Penion |
Species: | P. maximus
|
Binomial name | |
Penion maximus (
Tryon, G.W., 1881)
|
Penion maximus is a species of very large predatory sea snail or whelk, commonly known as giant whelk or great whelk, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Austrosiphonidae. [1]
Penion maximus is the largest species of Penion siphon whelk, and is endemic to Australia. [2] [3] The species could be confused with the sympatric species P. mandarinus, however P. mandarinus is typically smaller and has a smoother shell with a shorter siphonal canal. [2] Their shells are highly coveted due to the intricate designs embedded in onto the shells.
The range of the species extends from waters off Tasmania and Victoria to lower Queensland. [2] [3]
Penion maximus is closely related to another Australian species P. mandarinus. [3] [4] The species have overlapping geographic ranges ( sympatry) and may have evolved from a common ancestor via niche differentiation based on prey size and water depth. [4]
Penion maximus | |
---|---|
![]() | |
A shell of Penion maximus | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
Order: | Neogastropoda |
Family: | Austrosiphonidae |
Genus: | Penion |
Species: | P. maximus
|
Binomial name | |
Penion maximus (
Tryon, G.W., 1881)
|
Penion maximus is a species of very large predatory sea snail or whelk, commonly known as giant whelk or great whelk, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Austrosiphonidae. [1]
Penion maximus is the largest species of Penion siphon whelk, and is endemic to Australia. [2] [3] The species could be confused with the sympatric species P. mandarinus, however P. mandarinus is typically smaller and has a smoother shell with a shorter siphonal canal. [2] Their shells are highly coveted due to the intricate designs embedded in onto the shells.
The range of the species extends from waters off Tasmania and Victoria to lower Queensland. [2] [3]
Penion maximus is closely related to another Australian species P. mandarinus. [3] [4] The species have overlapping geographic ranges ( sympatry) and may have evolved from a common ancestor via niche differentiation based on prey size and water depth. [4]