West Indian topshell
VU

West Indian topshell

Cittarium pica

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cittarium_pica

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The West Indian topshell faces severe population declines primarily due to intensive harvesting for food and shell trade throughout the Caribbean. Overfishing has eliminated populations from many islands, while coastal development destroys critical rocky intertidal habitats. Climate change compounds these pressures through ocean acidification affecting shell formation and rising sea levels altering shoreline ecosystems.

Threat summary

Habitat

This large marine gastropod inhabits rocky intertidal zones and shallow subtidal areas along Caribbean coastlines, typically found on wave-exposed shores with hard substrates. The species prefers areas with abundant algae and seagrass beds that provide food sources, ranging from the splash zone to depths of approximately 10 meters.

MARINE· major

Threatened in Anguilla

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
CR

Pholidoscelis corvinus

Unknown
queen crabVU

queen crab

Carpilius corallinus

Unknown
Epinephelus striatusCR

Epinephelus striatus

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is West Indian topshell classified as Vulnerable?
West Indian topshell is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The West Indian topshell faces severe population declines primarily due to intensive harvesting for food and shell trade throughout the Caribbean. Overfishing has eliminated populations from many islands, while coastal development destroys critical rocky intertidal habitats. Climate change compounds these pressures through ocean acidification affecting shell formation and rising sea levels altering shoreline ecosystems.
Where does West Indian topshell live?
West Indian topshell occurs in Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, and Barbados (plus 44 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to West Indian topshell?
The main threats to West Indian topshell are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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