Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) studies on Radula of the Spider Conch Lambis lambis and Lambis adamii.(Gastropoda: Prosobranchia: Strombidae)from Thondi Coast, Palk Bay-Tamil Nadu -South East Coast of India.

Abstract

The present study describes the morphology of two species of radula using SEM technique. In both Lambis speciesthe radulaLambislambisandLambis adamiiis taenioglossate type consist of one median tooth flanked by one pair of lateral teeth with two pairs of marginals on each side (7 teeth per row). In taenioglossan the radular formula is 2+1+1+1+2.In most details theradula of Lambis adamiiresembles that of Lambis lambisbut few apparent differencesoccur. The base of the central teeth is broad inLambis adamiiwhereas in Lambis lambisit was concave. Lambisadamiiand Lambis lambisthe subquadrate central tooth withmiddle sixcusps and inLambisadamii the base of the central teeth is concave while in the Lambislambisit was straight. In Lambis adamiitwo to three cuspspresent in the lateral teeth and it was inclined radular central where as in Lambis lambisthe innercusp is longer and slim