Conus lienardi

Conus lienardi or Lienard's cone is a species of sophisticated predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails, cone shells or cones.^[1]

Conus lienardi Bernardi, M. & Crosse, H., 1861, showing variability of the species.

Conus lienardi
Apertural and abapertural views of shell of Conus lienardi Bernardi, M. & Crosse, H., 1861
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Subclass:	Caenogastropoda
Order:	Neogastropoda
Superfamily:	Conoidea
Family:	Conidae
Genus:	Conus
Species:	C. lienardi
Binomial name
Conus lienardi Bernardi et Crosse, 1861
Synonyms[1]
Asprella lienardi (Bernardi & Crosse, 1861) Conus prevosti G. B. Sowerby III, 1881 Conus (Phasmoconus) lienardi Bernardi et Crosse, 1861 · accepted, alternate representation Graphiconus lienardi (Bernardi & Crosse, 1861)

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.

Distribution

This is an Indo-Pacific species, occurring in Melanesia and off New Caledonia.

Shell description

The size of the shell varies between 24 mm and 63 mm . The spire is raised, carinated and slightly striate. The body whorl is distantly grooved below. The color of the shell is yellowish brown, variously longitudinally covered with zigzag chestnut or chocolate markings; sometimes almost or quite covered with chocolate.^[2]

Etymology

The specific name honours the French-Mauritian naturalist François Liénard de la Mivoye.^[3]