| Allonautilus scrobiculatus | |
|---|---|
| Allonautilus scrobiculatus shell with periostracum removed | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Cephalopoda |
| Order: | Nautilida |
| Family: | Nautilidae |
| Genus: | Allonautilus |
| Species: | A. scrobiculatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Allonautilus scrobiculatus (Lightfoot, 1786) |
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| Synonyms | |
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Allonautilus scrobiculatus, also known as the Crusty Nautilus, is a species of nautilus native to the waters around New Guinea, specifically New Britain and Milne Bay, and the Solomon Islands. A. scrobiculatus is instantly recognisable by the large open umbilicus, which is around 20% of the shell diameter at its widest point. This species, along with the closely related A. perforatus, were originally placed in the genus Nautilus, but have recently been given their own genus on account of significant morphological differences.[1] The most obvious are features of the shell, including crease and an encrusting layer (periostracum) that covers most of the shell. Gills and reproductive structures also differ significantly from members of the genus Nautilus. The shell is usually up to around 18 cm in diameter, although the largest specimen ever recorded measured 215 mm.[2]