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.
Reticulated Cowry Helmet
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Cypraecassis testiculus
Class:
Gastropoda
Order:
Littorinimorpha
Family:
Cassidae
Image Voucher:
ANSP 193069
Shell Information
Length (mm): 50-85
Dextral
Chirality:
This shell has about 5 whorls with a short pointed aperture and an enlarged body whorl. The aperture is elongated with folds on both sides of the inner aperture. This shell is sculptured by grid of spiral ribs and axial grooves. A "shield" will develop on the bottom of the body whorl extending from the aperture. It is mottled with different patches of white, orange and brown.
Description:
Ecological Information
Distribution:
Depth (m):
North Carolina to Brazil
0 to 60 meters
Diet:
Carnivore; They eat a variety of sea urchins.
Habitat:
Marine; Soft substrates
Misc. Facts
This shell is also sometimes called the Baby Bonnet.
Citations
MolluscaBase eds. (2021). MolluscaBase. Cypraecassis testiculus (Linnaeus, 1758). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=224277 on 2021-06-23
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.
Morris, P. A. (1987). A field guide to shells: Atlantic and Gulf coasts and the West Indies (3rd ed.). Houghton Mifflin.
Rosenberg, G. 2009. Malacolog 4.1.1: A Database of Western Atlantic Marine Mollusca. [WWW database (version 4.1.1)] URL http://www.malacolog.org/