Cassis madagascariensis
Cassis madagascariensis | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
(unranked): | clade Caenogastropoda clade Hypsogastropoda clade Littorinimorpha |
Superfamily: | Tonnoidea |
Family: | Cassidae |
Subfamily: | Cassinae |
Genus: | Cassis |
Subgenus: | Cassis |
Species: | C. madagascariensis |
Binomial name | |
Cassis madagascariensis Lamarck, 1822 | |
Synonyms | |
Cassis madagascariensis spinella Clench, 1944 |
Cassis madagascariensis is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Cassidae, the cone shells and bonnet shells. [1]
Distribution
This species occurs in the tropical Western Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The specific name "madagascarensis" literally means "of Madagascar", but this was a misunderstanding of the type locality by the original author.
Description
The maximum recorded shell length is 409 mm.[2]
Habitat
United States Virgin Islands, St. John. Emperor/Queen Helmet Snails frequently observed (photographed) in depths as shallow as two feet. 2011 [3] This contradicts the previously reported minimum depth of 3 m.[2] The maximum recorded depth is 183 m.[2]
Human uses
Shells of Cassis madagascariensis are used in jewellery to make cameos.
References
- ↑ Rosenberg, G. (2015). Cassis madagascariensis Lamarck, 1822. In: MolluscaBase (2015). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=419778 on 2016-01-05
- 1 2 3 Welch J. J. (2010). "The "Island Rule" and Deep-Sea Gastropods: Re-Examining the Evidence". PLoS ONE 5(1): e8776. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0008776.
- ↑ http://www.snorkelstj.com/helmet-snail.html
- Rosenberg, G.; Moretzsohn, F.; García, E. F. (2009). 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. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cassis madagascariensis. |