• Source: Astraea (gastropod)

Astraea is a genus of medium to large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Turbinidae, the turban snails.




Etymology


The Latin genus Astraea means star, with reference to the star-shape of these snails, also commonly called star shells.




Description


Shells of species within this genus can reach a size of about 60 millimetres (2.4 in). They have the appearance of a smooth conical shell. The outer edges of the coiled whorls are quite flattened, with prominent axial sculpture. Below widely, it is umbilicate and concave.




Species


Extant species within this genus include:

Astraea heliotropium (Martyn, 1784)




Fossil records


This genus is known in the fossil records from the Paleocene to the Quaternary (age range: from 61.7 to 0.0 million years ago). Fossils of species within this genus have been found in the sediments of Europe, Australia, United States, Japan, Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil.




Species


Extinct species within this genus include:

†Astraea (Liotiastralium) venezuelana Weisbord 1962
†Astraea (Pomaulax) gradata Grant and Gale 1931
†Astraea (Pomaulax) morani Loel and Corey 1932
†Astraea (Vitiastraea) holmesi Ladd 1966
† Astraea bicarinata Suter, 1917
†Astraea fimbriata Borson 1821
Astraea heliotropium (Martyn, 1784)
†Astraea stellare Gmelin 1791
† Astraea stirps Laws, 1932
†Astraea tentoriiformis Jonas, 1844
Species brought into synonymy




References



Gofas, S.; Afonso, J.P.; Brandào, M. (Ed.). (S.a.). Conchas e Moluscos de Angola = Coquillages et Mollusques d'Angola. [Shells and molluscs of Angola]. Universidade Agostinho / Elf Aquitaine Angola: Angola. 140 pp.
Williams, S.T. (2007). Origins and diversification of Indo-West Pacific marine fauna: evolutionary history and biogeography of turban shells (Gastropoda, Turbinidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 92, 573–592

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Astraea (gastropod)
• Astraea (disambiguation)
• Astraea heliotropium
• Astraea bicarinata
• Astraea stirps
• Bembicium hokianga
• Megastraea undosa
• Partula (gastropod)
• Cookia sulcata
• Bolma rugosa