TROCA SHELLS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Troca Shells
Trochus refers to a genus of medium to large-sized sea snails, characterized by their top-shaped shells and an operculum, belonging to the family Trochidae, commonly known as top snails.
The term "Trochus," as noted by P. Fischer, was first employed by Guillaume Rondelet in 1558, who grouped a diverse collection of univalves under this designation. The genus Trochus, established by Linnaeus, mainly consisted of true Trochidae but has since been recognized to include species from several distinct families. Lamarck narrowed the group by removing various genera, and during the 19th century, efforts by Gray, H. Adams, A. Adams, and others led to a more systematic classification of the family. Subsequent revisions have further reduced the number of species in this genus, with many names now regarded as synonyms.
Sea snails belonging to the genus Trochus possess robust, hefty shells characterized by a broadly conical spire and a base ranging from flat to convex. The shell's periphery is angled. Both the outer and basal lips exhibit smoothness on the inside. The columella features a pronounced fold at the top, concluding with a blunt tooth at the bottom. The shell's interior radiates a pearly and iridescent sheen, attributed to a substantial layer of nacre, also known as mother of pearl.
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Vetigastropoda
Order: Trochida
Superfamily: Trochoidea
Family: Trochidae
Genus: Trochus
Linnaeus, 1758
(REF: Bouchet, P.; Gofas, S. (2010). Trochus Linnaeus, 1758. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species)(REF: P. Fischer. Monog. Genre Troque, in Kiener's Coquilles Vivantes, Paris, 1880)(REF: Tryon (1889), Manual of Conchology XI, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia)(REF:R- A. Philippi, Monograph of Trochus in Syst. Conchylien Cabinet, ed. 2 (1846 to about 1856)
Troca Maculata Shells
HH1-6
A polished Troca Maculata Shell measuring 2 1/2 to 3 inches...... .89
Pearl Troca Shell
Pearl Troca Shell
E2-17
A Pearl Troca shell measuring 2 1/2 to 3 inches .......$1.40
E0-17
A Pearl Troca Shell measuring 3 to 4 inches ...... $5.75
Troca Natural Shell
Q1-10
One quarter pound of Natural Troca Shells measuring up to 3/4 inch..... .49
Natural Trochus Shell
WW0-10
A Natural Trochus shell measuring 1/2 to 1 inch...... .09
Red Stripe Trochus Picture By H. Zell
Red Stripe Trocus can vary from stripes of redish brown to grey-white stripes and dashes.
Red Stripe Trocus
Trochus maculatus, common name the maculated top shell, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Trochidae, the top snails.
The shell size ranges from 1 to 2.5 inches, presenting a highly variable form. The robust, dense shell is conically shaped with a false umbilicus. The spire is uniformly conical, or it may appear swollen and slightly convex below, tapering to a point above, or occasionally it is restricted around the upper part of the body whorl. The approximately 10 whorls are generally flat, or they may be concave at the upper edges and convex at the lower edges. The body whorl features a keel at the periphery and is flat underneath. The shell's upper surface displays longitudinal stripes or flames in shades of brown, purple, magenta, rose, or coral red on a background of white, horn-like, pink, or olive hues. The flames may cover more area than the background color, or the reverse may be true. At times, the coloration includes very fine, numerous radiating lines, often segmented into tessellations that define the lirae. The base of the shell is radiately painted with zigzag flames, or more frequently, narrow lines, either continuous or interrupted, often broken into a maculated or a finely tessellated pattern, sometimes unicolored lilac, or even white. The sculpture of the upper surface consists of spiral beaded lirae, usually numbering six to eight on each whorl. The beads are either laterally compressed like longitudinal folds or rounded and separate. The base of the shell is concentrically sculptured with numerous (about 10) fine, more or less beaded lira. The aperture has a transverse subtrigonal shape. The inner surface of the outer lip is lirate. The basal margin is gently curved and has four or five teeth-like projections. The parietal wall may be callused and lirate or smooth. The robust columella stands subvertical or oblique, with an irregularly toothed or almost smooth margin, often featuring a deep notch where it meets the basal lip. The umbilical tract is shaped like a funnel, with a weak spiral liration or nearly smooth, not distinctly bi-lirate.
The Trochus maculatus is found in the Red Sea, throughout the Indo-Pacific Ocean, and in Australia, including the Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia.
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Vetigastropoda
Order: Trochida
Superfamily: Trochoidea
Family: Trochidae
Genus: Trochus
Species: Trochus maculatus
Binomial name: Trochus maculatus
Linnaeus, 1758
(REF:Trochus maculatus Linnaeus, 1758. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species)(REF: H. Pilsbry, Manual of Conchology XI, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia)(REF: Oliver, A.P.H. (2004). Guide to Seashells of the World. Buffalo: Firefly Books)(REF:Hanley, S. 1855. Ipsa Linnaei Conchylia. The shells of Linnaeus, determined from his manuscripts and collection. London : Williams & Norgate)(REF:Wilson, B.R. & Gillett, K. 1971. Australian Shells: illustrating and describing 600 species of marine gastropods found in Australian waters. Sydney : Reed Books)
RED STRIPE top shells
W1-10
A Red Stripe Trocus shell measuring up to 1.25 inch ...... .09
Silver Troca Shells
I1-6
A Silver Troca shell measuring 2 to 2 1/2 inches....... $1.19
GREEN POLISHED TROCA SHELLS
K1-6
A Green Polished Troca shell measuring 2 to 2 1/2 inches.....$1.29