Gastropod Shell - Standard Ways of Viewing A Shell

Standard Ways of Viewing A Shell

  • Apertural view of shell of Valvata sincera

  • Abapertural view of shell of Valvata sincera

  • Basal or umbilical view of shell of Valvata sincera

  • This dorsal view of the living animal Calliostoma bairdii also shows the dorsal view of its shell

In photographs or illustrations, a gastropod shell can be shown oriented in a number of standard ways:

  • apertural view: this is the most common viewing angle. The shell is shown in its full length with its aperture facing the viewer and the apex at the top. When the aperture is on the right side, then the shell is called "right-handed" or dextral; if the aperture is on the left side, the shell is called "left-handed" or sinistral.
  • abapertural view: the shell is shown in its full length with its aperture 180° away from the viewer, and with the apex at the top.
  • apical view (or dorsal view): the shell is shown looking down directly onto the apex
  • basal view (or umbilical view): the shell is shown viwed directly from the base. In most cases where there is an umbilicus, this is in clear view.

Read more about this topic:  Gastropod Shell

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