Conus genuanus

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

Conus genuanus
Apertural view of a shell of Conus genuanus
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Subclass:	Caenogastropoda
Order:	Neogastropoda
Superfamily:	Conoidea
Family:	Conidae
Genus:	Conus
Species:	C. genuanus
Binomial name
Conus genuanus Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms[2]
Conus (Kalloconus) genuanus Linnaeus, 1758 · accepted, alternate representation Conus fasciatus Perry, 1811 Conus genuanus var. papilio Linnaeus, 1767 Conus papilio Linnaeus, C., 1767 Conus sphinx Röding, P.F., 1798 Cucullus papilio Röding, 1798 Cucullus sphinx Röding, 1798 Genuanoconus genuanus (Linnaeus, 1758)

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.^[3]

Apertural view of a shell of Conus genuanus Linnaeus, 1758, measuring 49.1 mm, collected in West Africa.

Description

The size of an adult shell varies between 33 mm and 75 mm. The ground color of the shell is pink-brown or violaceous brown, with revolving narrow lines of alternate white and chocolate quadrangular spots and dashes. These lines are usually alternately larger and smaller. The surface of the shell is usually smooth, but sometimes the lines are slightly elevated. The spire is smooth.^[4]

Distribution and habitat

C. genuanus occurs in the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands and Cape Verde to Angola. The species prefers mud and sand at depths of 1–20 m.^[1]