Strawberry Cumingi Shells
Clanculus puniceus, common names the strawberry cumingi top shell or purplish clanculus. They are a species of small sea snails, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Trochidae, the top shells.
The adult shell of Clanculus puniceus typically ranges in size from 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch. These diminutive, sturdy shells are broadly conical with a low spire and feature a granulated, coral-red surface adorned with a pattern of tiny black and white spots. The shell's form, dimensions, hue, and texture are evocative of a small strawberry, which is the origin of its common name.
The species is found in the Indian Ocean, specifically off the coasts of Madagascar, within the Mascarene Basin, and along the shores of Mozambique, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, and Tanzania. These sea snails reside on rocks in the eulittoral zone.
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Vetigastropoda
Order: Trochida
Superfamily: Trochoidea
Family: Trochidae
Genus: Clanculus
Species: Clanculus puniceus
Binomial name: Clanculus puniceus(Philippi, 1846)
(REF: WoRMS (2011). Clanculus puniceus (Philippi, 1846). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species)(REF: H. Pilsbry, Manual of Conchology XI, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia (described as Trochus puniceus)(REF: Herbert G.G. (1993). Revision of the Trochinae, tribe Trochini (Gastropoda: Trochidae) of southern Africa. Annals of the natal Museum 34)
KKO-10
A Strawberry Cumingi shell measuring up to 1/2 inch...... .04