Rough Turban Shell

Lunella torquata

Lunella torquata, also known as the twisted necklace, is a marine gastropod with a large, solid shell that can range from 35 mm to 110 mm in length. The shell is orbiculate and conic in shape, typically whitish with mottled dark brown patterns. It features six whorls with dense striae and coarse spiral lirae, and the upper whorls are carinated. The round aperture is oblique, and the columella is white with a wide umbilicus. This species can be distinguished from similar turban snails by its unique shell shape and coloration. This species inhabits the waters from New South Wales to Western Australia and off the coast of New Zealand. It prefers benthic environments and is typically found at depths ranging from 3 to 12 meters, often dwelling in subtidal habitats such as limestone, sandstone, and granite reefs. The Rough turban shell is herbivorous, grazing on algae and other plant materials in its environment. Encounters with Lunella torquata during dives can be quite common, as it has been recorded at numerous dive sites. Divers may observe these snails in their natural habitats, often nestled among rocks or reefs. The species has not been evaluated by the IUCN, so its conservation status remains unknown.