Turbinella laevigata

Turbinella laevigata, common name the Brazilian chank, is a species of very large sea snail with a gill and an operculum, a marine gastropod mollusk in the subfamily Turbinellinae of the family Turbinellidae.

Subspecies
There are two subspecies of this species:
 * Turbinella laevigata laevigata Anton, 1838
 * Turbinella laevigata rianae Delsaerdt, 1986 (synonym : Turbinella rianae Delsaerdt, 1987)

Description
The shell of this species is thick and heavy, and can grow as large as 20 cm in length.

Distribution
This species is found in Brazil.

Life cycle
Turbinella laevigata produces egg capsules which enclose an average of 240 eggs. Approximately ten of these eggs bear young which remain in the capsule for a time after hatching. This is an indication that the remaining 230 eggs are a source of nutrition for these juveniles.

Human use
Turbinella laevigata is used as a zootherapeutical product. It is used as a treatment for sexual impotence in traditional Brazilian medicine in the northeast of Brazil.