Shelleya

Shelleya is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Turbinidae, commonly known as turban snails. These snails are characterized by their robust, spirally coiled shells, which are often thick and heavy. The shell's exterior can vary in color and texture, with some species exhibiting smooth surfaces while others are adorned with knobs, spines, or ribs. The aperture, or opening of the shell, is typically rounded and can be covered by a calcareous operculum, which is a hard, dome-shaped plate that seals the shell when the animal retracts inside.

Species within the genus Shelleya are found in various marine environments, primarily in the Indo-Pacific region. They inhabit a range of substrates, from sandy bottoms to rocky reefs, and can be found at different depths. Their diet generally consists of algae, which they graze upon using a radula, a ribbon-like structure covered with teeth. Like other gastropods, Shelleya snails move by gliding on a muscular foot. Reproduction typically involves the release of gametes into the water, with external fertilization leading to planktonic larvae that eventually settle and develop into adult snails. The exact number of recognized species and their precise taxonomic classification can be subject to ongoing research and revision by malacologists.