Conus fernandesi

Conus fernandesi is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae. It is endemic to the Cape Verde islands.

Conus fernandesi
Apertural and abapertural views of shell
Conservation status
Endangered  (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. fernandesi
Binomial name
Conus fernandesi Tenorio, Afonso, & Rolán, 2008
Synonyms[2]
Africonus fernandesi (Tenorio, Afonso & Rolán, 2008) Conus (Lautoconus) fernandesi Tenorio, Afonso, & Rolán, 2008 · accepted, alternate representation

Description

The size of the shell varies between 18 mm and 27 mm. As all species within the genus Conus, these snails are predatory and venomous and capable of stinging humans who handle them.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

The species is endemic to Cape Verde and so far only known from a coastal strip 1 km in length on a single island, Santo Antão. It has been found among algae and in crevices at water depths between 2 and 4 m.^[3]

Conservation

C. fernandesi appears to be scarce and to have an extremely limited range along the coast of Santo Antão, which also happens to be subject to very heavy ferry traffic. It is therefore considered to be vulnerable to habitat destruction and pollution impacts, and has been classified as endangered by the IUCN.^[1][3]