The virgin nerite, Neritina virginea, is a common intertidal gastropod in Florida belonging to the family Neritidae. Members of this family are characterized by a small, globular shell, and a calcareous operculum bearing one small, pointed hook at the end (Abbott & Morris 1995). The extremely polished shell of the virgin nerite has a semiglobular shape, with 3-4 whorls. Shell color is variable, and may be red, black, grayish green, tan or yellow, usually marked with lines and dots of black or purple (Abbott & Morris 1995, Andrews 1935). The operculum is smooth and generally black, closing on an oval aperture with a thin outer tip (Martins et al. 2002).

Belize, Caribbean Sea, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Gulf of Mexico, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, San Andres, Venezuela

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: (>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)) Although the type locality is in the Mediterranean, this is doubtful, as this is likely a New World Species. In America, the distribution ranges from Florida and Bermuda to the north of South America (Pointier et al., 2005).

The virgin nerite can be found throughout the India River Lagoon, usually in association with muddy or sandy areas near submerged or intertidal vegetation such as grass flats.

The maximum age of the virgin nerite is unknown, and lifespan varies with food availability and environmental conditions. The maximum shell length of N. virginea is about 1.3 cm (Abbott & Morris 1995).Reproduction &

Several other species of small gastropods occur in the intertidal areas of the IRL where N. virginea is abundant. Of these, the two species that are most closely related to the virgin nerite are the olive nerite, Neritina reclivata and the Clench's nerite, N. clenchi. The shell of the olive nerite measures about 1.3 cm, is semiglobular with 3-4 whorls, smooth, solid green or greenish with tiny black lines (Abbott & Morris 1995). The operculum is dark brown to black. This species is reported to prefer brackish waters and tidal areas of streams (Abbott & Morris 1995). At a maximum of about 2 cm, the shell of the Clench's nerite is slightly larger than N. reclivata or N. virginea (Andrews 1994). The shell shape is less globular than many other Neritina species, with 3-4 four whorls and a moderately pointed apex (Abbott & Morris 1995). Shell color is variable, with an area on the interior of the shell stained orange-yellow. The operculum is black to pink in color. This species can be found in fresh to brackish waters (Abbott & Morris 1995).Regional Occurrence & Habitat Preference: The virgin nerite has been reported from Florida to Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico and Bermuda (Abbott & Morris 1995, Andrews 1994, Blanco et al. 2005, Boehs et al. 2004, Martins et al. 2002). Populations are found in intertidal areas, including mud bottoms and the roots of associated vegetation (Abbott & Morris 1995, Martins et al. 2002).

Depth range based on 29 specimens in 1 taxon.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0.025 - 1.6

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 0.025 - 1.6
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Habitat Type: Marine

Comments: This is primarily a brackish to marine species often found in river mouths (Pointier et al., 2005).

Non-Migrant: No. All populations of this species make significant seasonal migrations.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Little information is available concerning the dietary habits of N. virginea. However, most neritids feed on organisms comprising the biofilm (slime layer) on intertidal surfaces, including: algae, detritus, flagellates, diatoms and nematodes.Predators: Virgin nerites are likely preyed upon by a variety of birds, fishes and invertebrates. This species has the ability to mend its shell after failed attempts by crushing predators (Andrews 1935).

No known obligate associations exist for N. virginea. However, virgin nerites are associated with several organisms common to muddy and sandy intertidal areas. For extensive lists of species found in these habitats and others throughout the IRL, please refer to the links at the left of this page.

Note: For many non-migratory species, occurrences are roughly equivalent to populations.

Estimated Number of Occurrences: > 300

>1,000,000 individuals

Reproductive behaviors and embryology of N. virginea are poorly documented. After fertilization, the yellow, clustered eggs are laid in gelatinous capsules on nearby mollusk shells (Andrews 1994). Like many other mollusks, the virgin nerite reproduces via a planktonic larva called a veliger. These larvae remain in the water column until they reach the final stage, or pediveliger, at which time they search for a suitable location to settle and metamorphose into juvenile snails.

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Reasons: Although the type locality is in the Mediterranean, this is doubtful, as this is likely a New World Species. In America, the distribution ranges from Florida and Bermuda to the north of South America (Pointier et al., 2005).

Global Protection: Unknown whether any occurrences are appropriately protected and managed

Comments: marine species