Lyncina aurantium
| Lyncina aurantium | ||||||||||
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Lyncina aurantium |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Lyncina aurantium | ||||||||||
| ( Gmelin , 1791) |
Lyncina aurantium , also known internationally as " Golden Cowry ", is a species of the genus Lyncina from the family of cowries . Synonyms are: L. aurora ( Lamarck , 1810) and L. turanga ( Staedman & Cotton , 1943).
description
Like all species of the genus Lyncina , this species is also quite large with a housing length of 85 to 105 mm. The largest specimen ever found is 121 mm tall. The color of the case ranges from a pale orange-brown to orange, the underside is cream-colored.
Habitat and occurrence
This rather rare species has a very large distribution area, which includes large areas of the southwestern Pacific. Lyncina aurantium lives at a depth of 15 to 45 meters in the sea, always close to coral reefs , where it finds food and protection from predators. It usually hides in the reef during the day to take in food at night.
Importance to humans
In the past, the cases were worn by chiefs of the Fiji Islands to demonstrate their status. Today the housings are sold to tourists and collectors in local markets. The price for particularly beautiful and flawless bowls can be over 100 euros.
literature
- Felix Lorenz & Alex Hubert: A Guide To Worldwide Cowries . 2000. ISBN 3-925919-25-2