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Conus purus
Species of sea snail From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Conus purus is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails, cone shells or cones.[1]
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These snails are predatory and venomous. They are capable of stinging humans.
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Description
The size of the shell varies between 44 and 68 mm (1.7 and 2.7 in). Conus purus is white with a tented pattern tinged with reddish brown. The spire of the shell can range from flat to conical. Each individual cone shell has a different shell form, color, and pattern.[2] The spire of the cone comes to spire or a point.[3] Additionally, the animal has brown mottling and is tan, with distinct black, white, and red tips on the siphon.[2]
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Behavior
Cone snails possess venom that is so strong that it may rapidly paralyze and ultimately kill victims.[4] Conus purus venom is a complicated mixture of substances that blocks various neuromuscular pathways, ultimately resulting in paralysis.[4] It is estimated that the number of bioactive chemicals in each snail's venom is over 100,000. The development of a potent antitoxin has been hampered by the venom's intricacy and the several target routes.[4]
Unlike most cones, juveniles settle where they hatch.[2]
It feeds on other mollusks.[3]
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Distribution
This marine species is endemic to Hawaii.[1] The cone inhabits shallow water, no deeper than 15 ft (4.6 m).[2]
Gallery
Conus purus Tucker, Tenorio & Chaney, 2011
Conus purus Tucker, Tenorio & Chaney, 2011
Conus purus Tucker, Tenorio & Chaney, 2011
References
Further reading
External links
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