Striped top shell

The Jujubinus striatus belongs to the Mollusca phylum, Gastropoda class, and Trochidae family. Known in English as the striped top shell, this marine snail inhabits rocky shores and seagrass meadows, playing an active role in consuming epiphytic organisms and marine plant tissues.

In modern mariculture and hydroponic systems utilizing seawater, this snail is recognized as a pest. It poses a significant threat to seaweed farms and marine crops, as its feeding habits directly impact the biomass and growth rate of cultivated aquatic vegetation, which is essential for sustainable agriculture.

The biology of Jujubinus striatus is characterized by a high reproductive rate during warm periods. The larval stage is planktonic, enabling rapid dispersal across cultivation nets, ropes, and farming infrastructure. Once settled, they grow into adults that graze voraciously on young tissue.

The damage caused is primarily mechanical, resulting from the radula scraping the epidermis of the host plants. This leads to reduced photosynthesis efficiency, stunted growth, and in severe infestations, the complete destruction of valuable seaweed beds, which causes financial strain on marine farm operators.

Effective management strategies against Jujubinus striatus include:

• Manual removal and cleaning of cultivation equipment and ropes.
• Application of specialized anti-fouling coatings suitable for marine crops.
• Deployment of biological control agents that naturally feed on gastropods.
• Monitoring the influx of larvae into the system through water filtration.