Mauritia maculifera: Difference between revisions

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{{Taxobox
{{Taxobox
| name = ''Mauritia maculifera''
| name = ''Mauritia maculifera''
| image = Cypraea maculifera.jpg
| image = Cypraeidae - Mauritia maculifera - Hawaii.JPG
| image_caption = A [[gastropod shell|shell]] of ''Mauritia maculifera'' from Hawaii, anterior end towards the right
| image_caption =
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Mollusca]]
| phylum = [[Mollusca]]
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}}
}}


'''''Mauritia maculifera''''' is a [[species]] of [[sea snail]], a [[cowry]], a marine [[gastropod]] [[mollusk]] in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Cypraeidae]], the cowries.<ref name="WoRMS">{{WRMS species|390564 |''Mauritia maculifera'' Schilder, 1932|||WoRMS (2009). Mauritia maculifera Schilder, 1932. Accessed through the [[World Register of Marine Species]] at <nowiki>http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=390564 </nowiki> on 19 October 2010}}</ref>
'''''Mauritia maculifera''''', common name : the '''Blotched Cowry''' or '''Reticulated Cowry''', is a [[species]] of [[sea snail]], a [[cowry]], a marine [[gastropod]] [[mollusk]] in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Cypraeidae]], the cowries.<ref name="WoRMS">{{WRMS species|390564 |''Mauritia maculifera'' Schilder, 1932|||WoRMS (2009). Mauritia maculifera Schilder, 1932. Accessed through the [[World Register of Marine Species]] at <nowiki>http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=390564 </nowiki> on 19 October 2010}}</ref>


==Description==
The shells of these cowries reach on average {{convert|44|-|54|mm}} of length, with a minimum size of {{convert|30|mm}} and a maximum size of {{convert|89|mm}}. The dorsum surface of these smooth and shiny shells is generally dark brown, with with distinct large bluish dots. On the edges there are large brown spots. The base is white or pale brown or pale pinkish. The aperture is long and narrow, with several dark brown teeth. This species can be distinguished by a characteristic brown columellar spot. In the living cowries the mantle is trasparent, with blue sensorial papillae and may cover the entire shell.
{|
||[[File:Cypraeidae - Mauritia maculifera - Rangiroa, Polinesia-1.JPG|thumb|200px|left|A [[gastropod shell|shell]] of ''Mauritia maculifera'' from Rangiroa, Polynesia, lateral view, anterior end towards the right]]
||[[File:Cypraeidae - Mauritia maculifera - Rangiroa, Polinesia.JPG|thumb|200px|left|Dorsal view of [[gastropod shell|shells]] of ''Mauritia maculifera'' from Rangiroa, Polynesia, anterior end towards the right]]
||[[File:Cypraea maculifera.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Dorsal and apertural view of [[gastropod shell|shells]] of ''Mauritia maculifera'']]
|}
==Distribution==
This quite common species occurs in the [[Indian Ocean]] along [[Chagos]] and the [[Seychelles]] and in the [[Pacific Ocean]] (from South-East Asia, [[Philippines]], [[Fiji]] and [[Micronesia]] through western [[Polynesia]] and [[Hawaii]]).


==Habitat==
This species lives in tropical shallow water, subtidal and low intertidal, usually under rocks or coral reefs at a minimum depth of about {{convert|4|m}}. As they fear the light, they start feeding at dusk mainly on sponges or coral polyps.



== Subspecies==
== Subspecies==
Four subspecies have been recognized : <ref name="WoRMS" />
Four subspecies have been recognized : <ref name="WoRMS" />

* ''Mauritia maculifera hawaiiensis'' Heiman, 2005
* ''Mauritia maculifera hawaiiensis'' Heiman, 2005
* ''Mauritia maculifera maculifera'' Schilder, 1932
* ''Mauritia maculifera maculifera'' Schilder, 1932
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* ''Mauritia maculifera scindata'' Lorenz, 2002
* ''Mauritia maculifera scindata'' Lorenz, 2002


==Description==
The shell size varies between 28 mm and 89 mm
{{Expand section|date=May 2010}}

==Distribution==
This species occurs in the [[Indian Ocean]] along [[Chagos]] and the [[Seychelles]].


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
* Lorenz F. & Hubert A. (2000) A guide to worldwide cowries. Edition 2. Hackenheim: Conchbooks. 584 pp
* Burgess, C.M. (1970). The Living Cowries. AS Barnes and Co, Ltd. Cranbury, New Jersey


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.biolib.cz/en/formsearch/?action=execute&searcharea=1&string=mauritia+maculifera Biolib]
*
* [http://www.underwaterkwaj.com/cowry/Mauritia-maculifera.htm Underwater]



[[Category:Cypraeidae]]
[[Category:Cypraeidae]]
[[Category:Animals described in 1932]]


{{Cypraeidae-stub}}
{{Cypraeidae-stub}}

Revision as of 14:06, 30 May 2011

Mauritia maculifera
A shell of Mauritia maculifera from Hawaii, anterior end towards the right
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
(unranked):
Superfamily:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
M. maculifera
Binomial name
Mauritia maculifera
Schilder, 1932
Synonyms[1]

Cypraea maculifera (Schilder, 1932)

Mauritia maculifera, common name : the Blotched Cowry or Reticulated Cowry, is a species of sea snail, a cowry, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.[1]


Description

The shells of these cowries reach on average 44–54 millimetres (1.7–2.1 in) of length, with a minimum size of 30 millimetres (1.2 in) and a maximum size of 89 millimetres (3.5 in). The dorsum surface of these smooth and shiny shells is generally dark brown, with with distinct large bluish dots. On the edges there are large brown spots. The base is white or pale brown or pale pinkish. The aperture is long and narrow, with several dark brown teeth. This species can be distinguished by a characteristic brown columellar spot. In the living cowries the mantle is trasparent, with blue sensorial papillae and may cover the entire shell.

A shell of Mauritia maculifera from Rangiroa, Polynesia, lateral view, anterior end towards the right
Dorsal view of shells of Mauritia maculifera from Rangiroa, Polynesia, anterior end towards the right
Dorsal and apertural view of shells of Mauritia maculifera

Distribution

This quite common species occurs in the Indian Ocean along Chagos and the Seychelles and in the Pacific Ocean (from South-East Asia, Philippines, Fiji and Micronesia through western Polynesia and Hawaii).


Habitat

This species lives in tropical shallow water, subtidal and low intertidal, usually under rocks or coral reefs at a minimum depth of about 4 metres (13 ft). As they fear the light, they start feeding at dusk mainly on sponges or coral polyps.


Subspecies

Four subspecies have been recognized : [1]

  • Mauritia maculifera hawaiiensis Heiman, 2005
  • Mauritia maculifera maculifera Schilder, 1932
  • Mauritia maculifera martybealsi Lorenz, 2002
  • Mauritia maculifera scindata Lorenz, 2002


References

  1. ^ a b c Mauritia maculifera Schilder, 1932. WoRMS (2009). Mauritia maculifera Schilder, 1932. Accessed through the World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=390564 on 19 October 2010 .
  • Lorenz F. & Hubert A. (2000) A guide to worldwide cowries. Edition 2. Hackenheim: Conchbooks. 584 pp
  • Burgess, C.M. (1970). The Living Cowries. AS Barnes and Co, Ltd. Cranbury, New Jersey

External links