Conasprella aphrodite

(Redirected from Conus aphrodite)

Conasprella aphrodite is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails and their allies.[1]

Conasprella aphrodite
Apertural and abapertural views of shell of Conasprella aphrodite (Petuch, E.J., 1979)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Superfamily: Conoidea
Family: Conidae
Genus: Conasprella
Species:
C. aphrodite
Binomial name
Conasprella aphrodite
(Petuch, 1979)
Synonyms[1]
  • Conasprella (Conasprella) aphrodite (Petuch, 1979) · accepted, alternate representation
  • Conus aphrodite Petuch, 1979 (original combination)

Like all species within the genus Conus, these snails are predatory and venomous. They are capable of "stinging" humans, therefore live ones should be handled carefully or not at all.

Description

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Original description: "Shell thin, delicate, lightweight, glossy; outline straight sided, elongate, tapered toward the anterior end; shoulder smooth, sharp, slightly carinate; anterior one third with 6-8 faint spiral sulci; color lilac-purple with 3 bands of chestnut-brown flammules; base color pattern overlaid with 12 revolving rows of white and brown dots and dashes; one row of dashes just anterior of midbody line always more prominent than others; spire purple with alternating brown flammules; edge of shoulder with alternating brown and white dashes; aperture purple; periostracum thin, smooth, translucent yellow."[2]

The size of the shell varies between 15 mm and 24 mm. Their shell shape and design may differ, but will always be a cone shape. Their shell colors will vary from a light brown with white flecks to all black.

When these snails feel threatened, they can shoot poison from their mouths that are in the shape of needles.

Distribution

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Locus typicus: "Approximately 250 metres depth, off Panglao,
Bohol Isl., Philippines."[3]

This marine species occurs off the Philippines, New Caledonia
and the Ryukyus, Japan.

References

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  1. ^ a b Bouchet, P. (2015). Conasprella aphrodite (Petuch, 1979). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=580165 on 2015-02-28
  2. ^ Petuch, E.J. 1979-Twelve new Indo-Pacific gastropods, Nemouria Vol. 23, pages 11, 12.
  3. ^ Petuch, E.J. 1979-Twelve new Indo-Pacific gastropods, Nemouria Vol. 23, page 12.
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  • The Conus Biodiversity website
  • Cone Shells – Knights of the Sea
  • "Conasprella aphrodite". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 15 January 2019.