Conus vexillum

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

Conus vexillum
Shell of Conus vexillum Gmelin, 1791
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. vexillum
Binomial name
Conus vexillum Gmelin, 1791
Synonyms[2]
Conus (Rhizoconus) vexillum Gmelin, 1791 · accepted, alternate representation Conus leopardus Dillwyn, 1817 Conus nivifer G.B. Sowerby I, 1833 Conus robillardi Bernardi, 1858 Conus sulphuratus Kiener, 1845 Conus sumatrensis Hwass in Bruguière, 1792 Conus vexillum sumatrensis Hwass in Bruguière, 1792 Cucullus canonicus Röding, 1798 (junior secondary homonym of Conus canonicus Hwass in Bruguière, 1792) Rhizoconus robillardi Bernardi, 1858 Rhizoconus vexillum (Gmelin, 1791)

These snails are predatory and venomous. They are capable of stinging humans, therefore alive ones should be handled carefully or not at all.

Description

The size of the shell varies between 27 and 186 millimetres (1.1 and 7.3 in). The shell is large and rather thin. The spire is striate. The color of the shell is yellowish or chestnut, with an irregular white central band, sometimes obsolete, and occasionally another interrupted band at the shoulder. The spire is variegated with white and chestnut broad flames, the latter often overlaying also the lighter chestnut of the body whorl.^[3]

Distribution

The species is found across the entire Indo-Pacific from Natal to Hawaii and French Polynesia and Japan to Australia (Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia). The subspecies Conus vexillium sumatrensis is restricted to the northwest Indian Ocean.

Habitat and Ecology

Juveniles of this species are present on intertidal benches whereas adults will occur along subtidal reefs to about 30 metres (98 ft). Individuals that are present around the Hawaiian Islands occur between 50–70 m (160–230 ft). There have been sightings of this species in shallow water, lagoon pinnacles, sand, sand with gravel, among weed or rocks and under dead coral. It is said to be able to withstand rough waters. The species feeds on eunicid polychaetes.^[4]