Nerite Shells of the Neritidae Family

Four Nerite  Shells of the Neritidae Family can be found in this website:

Phylogeny: Nerite Shells of the Neritidae Family are members of the Cycloneritida order. The superfamily Neritoidea is one of three superfamilies within this order. The superfamily Neritoidea consists of two families – Neritidae and Phenacolepadidae. The Neritidae Family is moderately large with two subfamilies, thirteen genera, and one hundred seventy species.

Description: Nerite Shells are small to medium-sized shells that are globular in shape. They have a large body whorl and a low spire.  Marine species are thick and solid and freshwater species are thin-shelled. Their exteriors may be smooth or sculpted by axial or spiral ridges. The aperture is large and semicircular. The columella flares into a columellar deck. This calloused, flattened area on the bottom of the shell is a key identifying feature for shells in this family. The columellar deck may be smooth, pustulose, or sculpted with ridges. The outside lip of the aperture may be thickened and/or toothed.  Nerite Shells are often brightly colored, in a variety of patterns. Their interiors are smooth to porcelaneous, but not nacreous. Their operculum is calcareous with a semi-circular profile with most having a hook that facilitates in closing the shell tightly to seal in moisture when exposed to air. Larger species in this family reach 6.5 cm (2.5 inches) in length.

Habitat and Distribution: Nerite Shells are  found in marine, brackish, and freshwater environments, as well as on land. Marine Nerite Shells live attached to hard surfaces such as rocks and coral, or on plants such as mangroves or sea grasses. They may be on exposed coastlines or in protected bays and estuaries. They live in the intertidal zone. In some areas they are the most common mollusks in the intertidal zone. They are found worldwide in tropical to temperate seas. Twelve species from the Neritidae Family are found in Mexican marine waters.

Natural History: Nerite Shells feed by grazing on algae, detritus and diatoms. In turn they are preyed upon by shorebirds, crabs, and predatory mollusks. They are gonochoric and reproduce sexually with internal fertilization. The eggs are laid in small white protective capsules. Nerite Shells derive their name from Nerites, a sea deity in Greek mythology.