Xenophora [Xenophora]

Description

Xenophora, the type genus of the family Xenophoridae, comprises a number of species often referred to as 'carrier shells'. These marine gastropods are known for their unique behavior of attaching objects from their surroundings onto their shells. The genus includes species that prefer deep and shallow marine environments, where they live on sandy or muddy bottoms. Xenophora shells are primarily discoidal and can be heavily encrusted with a wide range of materials, serving as both camouflage and ballast.

Species

Carrier Shell [Xenophora pallidula]

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Southern Carrier Shell [Xenophora conchyliophora]

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Japanese Carrier Shell [Xenophora japonica]

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Pacific Carrier Shell [Xenophora neozelanica]

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Taxonomy