Callistocypraea aurantium
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| Callistocypraea aurantium | |
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| A lateral view of a shell of Callistocypraea aurantium, anterior end towards the left | |
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| Dorsal view of a shell of Callistocypraea aurantium, anterior end to the right | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Littorinimorpha |
| Family: | Cypraeidae |
| Genus: | Callistocypraea |
| Species: | C. aurantium
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| Binomial name | |
| Callistocypraea aurantium (Gmelin, 1791)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
Callistocypraea aurantium, (formerly classified inside genus lyncina) common name the golden cowrie, is a species of sea snail, a cowry, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.[2]
Distribution[edit]
This is an uncommon-to-rare species which is found in the tropical waters of the west-central to south-central Pacific Ocean.[citation needed]
Habitat[edit]
This animal is usually found on the ocean side of islands, on the reef, at depths of 30 to 100+ feet.[citation needed] It normally hides in the coral during daylight and comes out to feed at night.[citation needed]
Shell description[edit]
This is a large cowry, 80 to 100 mm (3.1 to 3.9 in) long.[citation needed] The shell that is yellowish brown to reddish orange on the dorsum, with white to cream colored margins.[citation needed] The mantle of the golden cowry is a combination of dark gray with translucent spots and patches that the orange color of the shell shows through.[citation needed] The scattered branching papillae are brownish gray, often white at the bases and tips.[citation needed]
Human use[edit]
In the past, on the Fiji Islands, this shell, known as "bulikula", was drilled at the ends and worn on a string around the neck by chieftains as a symbol of rank or privilege.[3] As the shells are rare, they are prized by collectors.[citation needed]
References[edit]
- ^ Eddie Hardy. "Callistocypraea aurantium".
- ^ WoRMS. "Callistocypraea aurantium (Gmelin, 1791)". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
- ^ Cowries as a badge of rank in Fiji. (archived)
- A Guide To Shell Collecting In The Kwajalein Atoll, F.B. Brost and R.D. Coale, 1971.
External links[edit]
