Malacology
Malacology is the study of mollusks. This includes animals like octopus, snails, slugs, and clams. It is the second largest phylum of animals, making them one of the most successful groups on the planet. There are over 80,000 described species of mollusks with many more left to be discovered. Mullusca is composed of 8 recognized classes including Cephalopoda, Gastropoda, Polyplacophora, Scaphapoda, Monoplacophorans, the Aplacophorans, Caudofoveata and Solenogastres, and Bivalvia.
Atlantic Deer Cowry
(Linnaeus, 1771)
Macrocypraea cervus
Class:
Gastropoda
Order:
Littorinimorpha
Family:
Cypraeidae
Image Voucher:
ANSP 477195, ANSP 389339
Shell Information
Length up to (mm): 190
Dextral
Chirality:
This is an inflated shell with the last shell whorl of adults concealing the spire. This shell is similar to the Spotted Cowry but it is typically narrower with smaller and more abundant white spots covering the adult shell. Juvenile shells are tan to light brown with bands of white encircling the shell. As they mature the shell darkens, the white bands are lost, and white spots become apparent.
Description:
Ecological Information
Distribution:
Depth (m):
North Carolina to Cuba
0 to 35 meters
Diet:
Herbivore
Habitat:
Marine; Coral reefs and off shore banks
Misc. Facts
Citations
MolluscaBase eds. (2022). MolluscaBase. Macrocypraea cervus (Linnaeus, 1771). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=419722 on 2022-04-22
Rosenberg, G., F. Moretzsohn, and E. F. Garc�a. 29. Gastropoda (Mollusca) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 579�699 in Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico�Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, Texas.