By Bunjamin Dharma & Delianis Pringgenies
Rochia nilotica (Linnaeus, 1767), formerly recognized as Trochus niloticus Linnaeus, 1767, is commonly referred to in Indonesia as "lola" or "lolak". In Indonesian waters, "lola" is abundantly present and sought after for its lustrous shell, which holds significant commercial value and serves as an export-oriented industrial commodity. Another closely resembling species is Trochus maximus F. C. L. Koch, 1844. While adult shells of T. niloticus and T. maximus exhibit distinguishable morphological differences, their juvenile and semi-adult stages often present challenges in differentiation. Both species feature sizable shells, measuring between 110-120 mm in diameter and 115-140 mm in height. Initially classified within the genus Trochus Linnaeus, 1758 of the family Trochidae Rafinesque, 1815, the taxonomic revision conducted by Bouchet & Rocroi in 2005, as part of the "Taxonomy of the Gastropoda", affirmed the legitimacy of the family Tegulidae Kuroda, Habe, & Oyama, 1971 within the superfamily Trochoidea Rafinesque, 1815, distinct from Trochidae Rafinesque, 1815. Consequently, these two large species were reassigned to the genus Rochia Gray, 1857, within the family Tegulidae, as Rochia nilotica (Linnaeus, 1767) and Rochia maxima (F. C. L. Koch, 1844). The Tegulidae family encompasses genera such as Rochia Gray, 1857; Tectus Montfort, 1810; and Tegula Lesson, 1833. This study delves into the nuances of shell morphology that distinguish between the two species, Rochia nilotica (Linnaeus, 1767) and Rochia maxima (F. C. L. Koch, 1844).
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