Calliostoma annulatum

Taxobox
name = "Calliostoma annulatum"

---

image_width = 250px
image_caption =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Mollusca
classis = Gastropoda
ordo = Archaeogastropoda
familia = Calliostomatidae
genus = "Calliostoma"
species = "C. annulatum"
binomial = "Calliostoma annulatum"
binomial_authority = (Lightfoot, 1786)

"Calliostoma annulatum", commonly known as the purple-ring topsnail, blue-ring topsnail, jewelled topsnail or similar names, is a medium-sized sea snail, a sublittoral marine gastropod mollusk of the Pacific coast of North America.

Range of distribution

This top shell can be found from Isla San Geronimo, Baja California, north to Forrester Island, Alaska.

hell description

This species is distinguished by its brilliantly colored shell, which is lustrous with a gold field and a purple stripe. The brilliance of the colors fades somewhat once the animal dies.

The shell height is up to approximately 30 mm.

Life habits

This species is fairly omnivorous, feeding seasonally on kelp, sessile fauna such as bryozoans, and detritus.

References

* Integrated Taxonomic Information System. [http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=69796 Calliostoma annulatum]
* Race Rocks Taxonomy. [http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/eco/taxalab/ensy02/belens.htm Calliostoma annulatum]
* Key to Invertebrates Found At or Near Walla Walla College Marine Station. [http://www.rosario.wwc.edu/inverts/Mollusca/Gastropoda/Prosobranchia/Order_Archaegastropoda/Suborder_Trochina/Trochidae/Calliostoma_annulatum.html Calliostoma annulatum]