Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) studies on Radula of the Spider Conch Lambis lambis and Lambis adamii. (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia: Strombidae) fromThondi 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 species the radula Lambis lambis and Lambis adamii is 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 the radula of Lambis adamii resembles that of Lambis lambis but few apparent differences occur. The base of the central teeth is broad in Lambis adamii whereas in Lambis lambis it was concave. Lambis adamii and Lambis lambis the subquadrate central tooth with middle six cusps and in Lambis adamii the base of the central teeth is concave while in the Lambis lambis it was straight. In Lambis adamii two to three cusps present in the lateral teeth and it was inclined radular central where as in Lambis lambis the inner cusp is longer and slim