Conus imperialis
Conus imperialis | |
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Five views of a shell of Conus imperialis Linné,1758 | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
(unranked): | clade Caenogastropoda clade Hypsogastropoda clade Neogastropoda |
Superfamily: | Conoidea |
Family: | Conidae |
Subfamily: | Coninae |
Genus: | Conus |
Species: | C. imperialis |
Binomial name | |
Conus imperialis Linnaeus, 1758[1] | |
Synonyms[2] | |
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![](../I/m/Conus_imperialis_2.jpg)
Conus imperialis, common name the imperial cone, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails and their allies.[2]
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
The size of an adult shell varies between 40 mm and 110 mm. The color of the shell is yellowish white, with numerous interrupted revolving lines and spots of dark brown and two irregular light brown bands. In the synonym Conus fuscatus, the light brown coloring extends in clouds and irregular markings over the surface, so that the bands can scarcely be defined.[3]
Distribution
This species occurs in the Indian Ocean along Aldabra, Madagascar, the Mascarene Basin and Mauritius; in the entire Pacific Ocean.
References
- ↑ Linnaeus, C., 1758. Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, 10th ed., 1
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Conus imperialis Linnaeus, 1758. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 26 July 2011.
- ↑ George Washington Tryon, Manual of Conchology, vol. VI, p. 9; 1879
- Dautzenberg, Ph. (1929). Mollusques testacés marins de Madagascar. Faune des Colonies Francaises, Tome III
- Filmer R.M. (2001). A Catalogue of Nomenclature and Taxonomy in the Living Conidae 1758 - 1998. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden. 388pp.
- Tucker J.K. (2009). Recent cone species database. September 4, 2009 Edition
Gallery
Below are several color forms:
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Conus imperialis Linnaeus, C., 1758
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Conus imperialis Linnaeus, C., 1758
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Conus imperialis Linnaeus, C., 1758
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Conus imperialis Linnaeus, C., 1758
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Conus imperialis Linnaeus, C., 1758
External links
- The Conus Biodiversity website
- Gastropods.com: Rhombiconus imperialis imperialis; accessed: 26 July 2011
- Cone Shells - Knights of the Sea
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