''Callistocypraea aurantium'', (formerly classified inside genus
lyncina
''Lyncina'' is a genus of sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod molluscs in the family (biology), family Cypraeidae, the cowries.
Species
Species within the genus ''Lyncina'' include:
*''Lyncina aliceae'' Lum, 2013
* † ''Lyncina amygda ...
)
common name
In biology, a common name of a taxon or organism (also known as a vernacular name, English name, colloquial name, country name, popular name, or farmer's name) is a name that is based on the normal language of everyday life; and is often contrast ...
the golden cowrie, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
sea snail
Sea snail is a common name for slow-moving marine gastropod molluscs, usually with visible external shells, such as whelk or abalone. They share the taxonomic class Gastropoda with slugs, which are distinguished from snails primarily by the ...
, a
cowry, a marine
gastropod
The gastropods (), commonly known as snails and slugs, belong to a large taxonomic class of invertebrates within the phylum Mollusca called Gastropoda ().
This class comprises snails and slugs from saltwater, from freshwater, and from land. T ...
mollusk
Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals after the Arthropoda, the members of which are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 85,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is e ...
in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
Cypraeidae, the cowries.
Distribution
This is an uncommon-to-rare species which is found in the tropical waters of the west-central to south-central
Pacific
.
Habitat
This animal is usually found on the ocean side of islands, on the reef, at depths of 30 to 100+ feet. It normally hides in the coral during daylight and comes out to feed at night.
Shell description
This is a large cowry (80 to 100 mm long). The shell that is yellowish brown to reddish orange on the dorsum, with white to cream colored margins. 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. The scattered branching papillae are brownish gray, often white at the bases and tips.
Human use
In the past, on the
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
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.
Cowries as a badge of rank in Fiji.
(archived) As the shells are rare, they are prized by collectors.
References
* ''A Guide To Sh
External links
On-line articles with ''Cypraea aurantium'' in the HAWAIIAN SHELL NEWS (1960-1994)
WoRMS page
{{DEFAULTSORT:Callistocypraea aurantium
Cypraeidae
Gastropods described in 1791
Taxa named by Johann Friedrich Gmelin