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.
Spotted Cowry
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Macrocypraea zebra
Class:
Gastropoda
Order:
Littorinimorpha
Family:
Cypraeidae
Image Voucher:
ANSP 227607
Shell Information
Length (mm): 75-133
Dextral
Chirality:
This is an inflated shell with the last shell whorl of adults concealing the spire. This shell is similar to the Atlantic Deer Cowry but it is typically wider with larger and less abundant white spots or rings 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 Brazil
0 to 37 meters
Diet:
Herbivore
Habitat:
Marine; Coral reefs and among sea grasses
Misc. Facts
This is also sometimes called the Measled Cowry.
Citations
MolluscaBase eds. (2021). MolluscaBase. Macrocypraea zebra (Linnaeus, 1758). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=419723 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.