Kelletia kelletii

Kelletia kelletii, commonly known as the Kellet's whelk, is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Buccinidae, the true whelks.

Taxonomy

The species was first described by Forbes in 1850. It is the only species in the genus Kelletia. The genus is named after Captain Henry Kellet, who collected the first specimens.

Description

Kelletia kelletii is a large snail, reaching up to 15 cm in length. The shell is robust and heavy, with a short spire and a large body whorl. The color is typically white to cream, often with brown or yellowish patches.

Distribution and habitat

The species is native to the eastern Pacific Ocean, from Monterey Bay, California, to Baja California, Mexico. It inhabits rocky substrates and kelp forests, from the intertidal zone to depths of 70 m.

Ecology

Kelletia kelletii is a carnivorous scavenger, feeding on a variety of dead animals and occasionally preying on live invertebrates. It is also known to be a broadcast spawner, releasing eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization occurs.

Human use

The species is harvested commercially and recreationally for food in parts of its range, particularly in Baja California. It is also used in research due to its large size and ease of collection.

Conservation

While Kelletia kelletii is not currently considered threatened, it may be vulnerable to overharvesting and habitat loss due to coastal development and climate change.

See also

• List of marine gastropod genera
• Buccinidae

References

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