Granulated Conch Shell | Mexican Shells.org

Granulated Conch Shell, Persististrombus granulatus

Granulated Conch Shell, Persististrombus granulatus, Juvenile. Shell collected off the beach in the greater Punta Chivato area, Punta Chivato, Baja California Sur, February 2023. Size: 6.7 cm (2.6 inches) x 2.2 cm (0.9 inches). Collection, photograph and Identification courtesy of Colin Campbell, DVM, Punta Chivato.

Granulated Conch Shell, Persististrombus granulatus. Shell collected off the beach in the greater Los Cabos area, Baja California Sur, June 2022. Size: 10.9 cm (4.25 inches) x 7.1 cm (2.8 inches) in height.

Phylogeny: The Granulated Conch, Persististrombus granulatus (Swainson,1822), is a gastropod mollusk that is a member of the Strombidae Family of True Conch Shells. The genus Persististrombus is one of thirty-one genera in this family, and this is the only species in this genus. They are also known as the Knobby Fighting Conch and in Mexico as Cambute Nodoso.

Description: Granulated Conch Shells are rugged, but graceful with the body consisting of six or seven whorls. They have a tall, slender, spire. Both the spire and body have strong tubercles or knobs. Mature specimens have granulations inside the outer lip of the aperture. The exterior of the shell is whitish with light brown spots or streaks. Juvenile shells may be beige, pink, purple or red in color. The periostracum is thin and velvety. Granulated Conch shell reach a maximum of 10.9 cm (4.25 inches) in length and 7.1 cm (2.8 inches) in height.

Habitat and Distribution: Granulated Conchs are found on sand or rubble from the low intertidal zone to depths up to 75 m (246 feet). They are a subtropical to tropical Eastern Pacific species that are found in Mexican waters of the Pacific Ocean along the west coast of the mainland south to Guatemala. They are found throughout the Gulf of California. They have not been documented along the west coast of the Baja Peninsula.

Ecology and Behavior: Granulated Conchs are grazers that feed primarily on algae. They are gonochoric and reproduce sexually, with internal fertilization. There is no mention in the available literature of them engaging in any types of commensal, parasitic or symbiotic relationships. From a conservation perspective they have not been formally evaluated however they are fairly common with a relatively wide distribution and should be consider to be of Least Concern.

Synonyms: Strombus granulatus, Strombus granulatus acutus, and Strombus granulatus cortezianus.