Conus auricomus

Conus auricomus, common name the gold-leaf cone, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails and their allies.^[2]

Conus auricomus
Shell of Conus auricomus
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Subclass:	Caenogastropoda
Order:	Neogastropoda
Superfamily:	Conoidea
Family:	Conidae
Genus:	Conus
Species:	C. auricomus
Binomial name
Conus auricomus Hwass in Bruguière, 1792
Synonyms[2]
Conus (Darioconus) auricomus Hwass in Bruguière, 1792 · accepted, alternate representation Conus dactylosus Kiener, 1845 Conus debilis Fenaux, 1943 (invalid: junior homonym of Conus mediterraneus var. debilis Monterosato, 1917) Darioconus auricomus (Hwass in Bruguière, 1792)

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.

Description

The size of the shell varies between 32 mm and 69 mm. The cylindrical shell shows revolving striae throughout. Its reticulated pattern uniform in the size of the meshes, interrupted by three or four broad, uniform orange-brown bands. The convex spire is maculated.^[3]

Distribution

This species occurs in the Indian Ocean off the Mascarene Basin.