Cypraeovula fuscorubra

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Cypraeovula fuscorubra
Cypraeovula fuscorubra 600x600.jpg
A lateral view of a shell of Cypraeovula fuscorubra, anterior end towards the right
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Littorinimorpha
Family: Cypraeidae
Genus: Cypraeovula
Species:
C. fuscorubra
Binomial name
Cypraeovula fuscorubra
(Shaw, 1909)
Synonyms
  • Cypraea fuscorubraShaw, 1909
  • Cypraea similis Gray, 1831(Invalid: junior homonym of Cypraea similis Gmelin, 1791)

Cypraeovula fuscorubra is a species of sea snail, a cowry, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries. [1]

Contents

Subspecies

Description

The mantle is variable in colour from white to black and orange to pink and red, with a finely granular surface. There are small papillae along the mantle edges and there may be black and white markings. The siphon is short and recurved and is usually transparent white with an opaque white rim. Cephalic tentacles are tapered and fairly thick and yellow to orange in colour. The foot is short and fleshy and is usually less strongly pigmented than the mantle and is often marked with small black and white dots or flecks. [2]

The shell is generally pear-shaped, and the colour ranges from beige and mauve to grey with an overlay of densely spaced reddish brown spots, which may be interrupted on the right side by a mantle line. Base and margins are thickened and usually beige or brown, but may be purple when fresh. Labrum is broad with a matte finish and 17 to 18 pigmented denticles. The aperture is fairly narrow but widens towards the front and curves to the rear. [2]

Distribution

This marine species occurs off South Africa from Dassen Island to Cape Agulhas. [2]

Natural history

The cowrie is found on reefs from 15 to over 80 metres depth, often on the sides of large granite boulders and feeds primarily on demosponges, but also algal and bryozoan material. [2]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Monetaria moneta</i> Species of gastropod

Monetaria moneta, common name the money cowrie, is a species of small sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.

<i>Luria isabella</i> Species of gastropod

Luria isabella, common names Isabel's cowry, Isabella cowry or fawn-coloured cowry, is a species of sea snail, a cowry, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.

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<i>Naria erosa</i> Species of gastropod

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<i>Naria helvola</i> Species of gastropod

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<i>Naria spurca</i> Species of gastropod

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Macrocypraea zebra, common name the measled cowrie, is a species of sea snail, a cowry, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.

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<i>Staphylaea limacina</i> Species of gastropod

Staphylaea limacina, common name slug-like cowry, is a species of sea snail, a cowry, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.

<i>Talparia talpa</i> Species of gastropod

Talparia talpa, common name the mole cowry or chocolate banded cowry, is a species of sea snail, a cowry, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.

<i>Cypraeovula</i> Genus of gastropods

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<i>Ovula ovum</i> Species of gastropod

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<i>Muracypraea mus</i> Species of gastropod

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<i>Contradusta pulchella</i> Species of gastropod

Contradusta pulchella, common name the pretty cowry or beautiful (little) cowry, is a species of sea snail, a cowry, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.

Cypraeovula iutsui is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.

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References

  1. ↑ Cypraeovula fuscorubra Shaw . WoRMS (2009). Cypraeovula fuscorubra Shaw. Accessed through the World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=216846 on 3 July 2012 .
  2. 1 2 3 4 Liltved, William Rune. Cowries and their relatives of southern Africa: A study of the southern African Cypraeacean and Velutinacean gastropod fauna, Gordon Verhoef, Seacomber Publications, 2000. ISBN   0-908420-89-7


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