Conus algoensis explained

Conus algoensis, common name the algoa cone, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails and their allies.^[1]

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.

There are four subspecies :

• Conus algoensis algoensis Sowerby, G.B. I, 1834 (synonym: Conus algoensis agulhasi Coomans, Moolenbeek & Wils, 1980)
• Conus algoensis norpothi Lorenz, 2015 (alternate representation: Conus (Sciteconus) algoensis norpothi Lorenz, 2015)
• Conus algoensis scitulus Reeve, 1849 (synonym: Conus scitulus Reeve, 1849)
• Conus algoensis simplex Sowerby, G.B. II, 1857^[2] (synonym: Conus simplex G. B. Sowerby II, 1858)

Description

The size of the shell varies between 12 mm and 60 mm. The thin shell is smooth,. It has a chestnut-brown color, with one or two bands of longitudinal white markings. The spire is articulated with white and brown.^[3]

Distribution

This marine species occurs off the south coast of South Africa.

References

• Puillandre N., Duda T.F., Meyer C., Olivera B.M. & Bouchet P. (2015). One, four or 100 genera? A new classification of the cone snails. Journal of Molluscan Studies. 81: 1–23

External links

• The Conus Biodiversity website
• Cone Shells – Knights of the Sea
• Branch, G.M. et al. (2002). Two Oceans. 5th impression. David Philip, Cate Town & Johannesburg

Notes and References

1. Bouchet, P.; Rosenberg, G. (2015). Conus algoensis. In: MolluscaBase (2015). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=225448 on 2015-06-27
2. Rosenberg, G.; Bouchet, P. (2013). Conus algoensis Sowerby I, 1834. Accessed though: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=225448 on 2013-11-01
3. https://archive.org/details/manualconch06tryorich G.W. Tryon (1884) Manual of Conchology, structural and systematic, with illustrations of the species, vol. VI; Philadelphia, Academy of Natural Sciences