Sipu Jha
Along parts of the Western Australian coast, large shells sometimes lie half buried in tidal mud. They belong to Syrinx aruanus, known as the Australian trumpet and regarded as the largest living sea snail. Some shells reach about 91 centimetres in length. The species has long attracted collectors, yet its biology has been poorly recorded. A small population identified near the Burrup Peninsula allowed researchers to observe living individuals in shallow intertidal flats. Their aim was simple. They wanted clearer evidence of what this animal eats and how it feeds. Earlier notes had suggested a diet of large marine worms, though documentation was limited. Fieldwork, specimen examination and laboratory analysis have now provided firmer detail about its feeding habits and ecological role.
Australian trumpet ranks as largest living sea snail: A specialised predator of marine worms
Researchers watched several snails moving slowly across mudflats at low tide. In some cases, a long proboscis was seen extending into sediment and down worm tubes. The feeding organ appeared flexible and capable of reaching well below the surface. Worm tubes were collected from beneath or beside the animals. The pattern suggested active predation rather than chance contact.Temporary holding of a few individuals allowed scientists to collect faecal samples. These contained remains of large tube dwelling polychaete worms. Identifiable fragments linked the snail to worm families such as Acoetidae and Terebellidae, along with species similar to Diopatra. The findings were consistent across samples.
Diet differs from other large marine snails
Many large predatory sea snails feed on molluscs or echinoderms. Species within related groups often drill or prise open hard shells. By contrast, Syrinx aruanus appears focused on soft bodied prey hidden in sediment. Its radula and extensible proboscis suit this behaviour.The shell itself is heavy and provides structural support for muscle attachment. There is no clear evidence that it functions as a hunting tool. Rather, it stabilises the animal while feeding movements take place below the surface.
Findings support links within the Turbinellidae family
The study, “Food of giants – field observations on the diet of Syrinx aruanus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Turbinellidae) the largest living gastropod”, places the species within wider patterns seen in the Turbinellidae family. Several relatives are also known to consume polychaete worms. This suggests a consistent feeding strategy rather than an isolated habit.With populations reduced in accessible areas due to shell collecting, clearer knowledge of diet and habitat may assist conservation planning. For a species so large and familiar in appearance, much of its everyday life had remained uncertain. The details are modest, but they help fill a gap.
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