Callistocypraea aurantium

Callistocypraea aurantium, (formerly classified inside genus lyncina) common name the golden cowrie, is a species of sea snail, a cowry, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.[2]

Callistocypraea aurantium
A lateral view of a shell of Callistocypraea aurantium, anterior end towards the left
Dorsal view of a shell of Callistocypraea aurantium, anterior end to the right
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Caenogastropoda
clade Hypsogastropoda
order Littorinimorpha
Superfamily:
Cypraeoidea
Family:
Cypraeidae
Genus:
Callistocypraea
Species:
C. aurantium
Binomial name
Callistocypraea aurantium
(Gmelin, 1791)
Synonyms[1]
  • Cypraea aurantium Gmelin, 1791
  • Cypraea aurora Lamarck, 1810
  • Lyncina aurantium (Gmelin, 1791)

Distribution

This is an uncommon-to-rare species which is found in the tropical waters of the west-central to south-central Pacific Ocean.

Habitat

This animal is usually found on the ocean side of islands, on the reef, at depths of 30 to 100+ feet. It normally hides in the coral during daylight and comes out to feed at night.

Shell description

This is a large cowry (80 to 100 mm long). The shell that is yellowish brown to reddish orange on the dorsum, with white to cream colored margins. The mantle of the golden cowry is a combination of dark gray with translucent spots and patches that the orange color of the shell shows through. The scattered branching papillae are brownish gray, often white at the bases and tips.

Human use

In the past, on the Fiji Islands, this shell, known as "bulikula", was drilled at the ends and worn on a string around the neck by chieftains as a symbol of rank or privilege.[3] As the shells are rare, they are prized by collectors.

References
  1. Eddie Hardy. "Callistocypraea aurantium".
  2. Callistocypraea aurantium (Gmelin, 1791). WoRMS (2009). Callistocypraea aurantium (Gmelin, 1791). Accessed through the World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=216865 on 5 June 2010 .
  3. Cowries as a badge of rank in Fiji. (archived)
  • A Guide To Sh
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