Tibia fusus, common name Spindle tibia or Shinbone Tibia Gastropod, is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs.[1][2]
This species is widespread in Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific, from Indochina, China Sea, southern Japan and the Philippines to the Banda Sea, Indonesia, Australia and Oceania.[3][4][5]
Most Tibia fusus live in tropical offshore waters where there is plenty of sand, at depths of 5 to 50 m.[3]
The shells of Tibia fusus can reach a length of 15–31 centimetres (5.9–12.2 in) (including the long siphonal canal), with a typical length of 23 cm (9 in.).[5] These shells are large, spindle-shaped with moderately convex turns and an extremely long, thin and slightly curved siphonal canal. The basic color ranges from straw yellow to reddish-beige. The aperture is ovate and white inside, with 6 fingerlike growths on the outer lip.[3]
It is a fairly common species where it occurs, but because of its attractive appearance, it is highly sought after by shell collectors.[3]
Embryos develop into free-swimming planktonic marine larvae (trochophore) and later into juvenile veligers.[3]
Tibia fusus shells in Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Israel. Tibia fusus, common name Spindle tibia or Shinbone Tibia Gastropod, is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs.
