Conus vulcanus

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

Conus vulcanus
Apertural and abapertural views of shell of Conus vulcanus Tenorio, M.J. & C.M.L. Afonso, 2004
Conservation status
Least Concern  (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. vulcanus
Binomial name
Conus vulcanus Tenorio & Afonso, 2004
Synonyms[2]
Africonus vulcanus (Tenorio & Afonso, 2004) Conus miguelfiaderoi (Cossignani & Fiadeiro, 2015) Conus (Lautoconus) vulcanus Tenorio & Afonso, 2004 · accepted, alternate representation

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 shell has a distinctive, intricate pattern with a smooth and glossy surface that can grow up to 13cm (about 5 inches). It resembles a fine net or lattice. The colors can range from golden brown to yellowish with white or cream-colored markings. The aperture (opening) of the shell is narrow and elongated, running almost the entire length of the shell. The shell have various toxins designed to interfere with a victim's nervous system and operates by joining itself to specific cell surface receptors (glycoproteins) and ion channels^[3]

Distribution

This species occurs in the Atlantic Ocean on the coast of the island of Boa Vista, Cape Verde.^[1]