Conus splendidulus

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

Conus splendidulus
Apertural and abapertural views of shell of Conus splendidulus Sowerby, G.B. I, 1833
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (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. splendidulus
Binomial name
Conus splendidulus G. B. Sowerby I, 1833
Synonyms[2]
Conus (Strategoconus) splendidulus G. B. Sowerby I, 1833 · accepted, alternate representation Conus anadema Tomlin, 1937 Conus fasciatus Kiener, 1845 (invalid: junior homonym of Conus fasciatus Schröter, 1803 and C. fasciatus Perry, 1811; C. anadema is a replacement name) Strategoconus splendidulus (G. B. Sowerby I, 1833)

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 43 mm and 70 mm. The shell has an olive-brown, or ash color, with a white central band, and usually another obsolete one below the shoulder-angle, encircled by numerous chestnut and white articulated lines. The spire is maculated with chestnut. The aperture has a light chocolate color with a central white band.^[3]

Distribution

This marine species occurs in the Gulf of Aden, off Northern Somalia and off the Laccadives.