Conus (Sciteconus) algoensis  Sowerby ii, 1834

Common Name

"Algoa Cone"

Status

Regarded as a valid species.

Type Locality

Table Bay, S. Africa

Distribution

South Africa

Maximum Reported Size

45 mm

Description

Moderately small to medium-sized (20-45 mm) shell. Last whorl ventricosely conical, with a subangulate shoulder. Spire moderate to high, often stepped, with a straight or slightly sigmoid profile and a prominent white protoconch. Slightly concave teleoconch sutural ramps with radial arcuate threads, and also with 3-5 very faint, obsolete spiral striae often present. Last whorl with spiral ribs on basal third, stronger towards the base. Ground colour of the shell white, slightly yellowish towards the base. Aperture mostly white, often with a diffuse orange-brown colour in the upper part of the interior. The pattern of the last whorl consists of large brown or orange-brown blotches arranged in the form of three irregular spiral bands: one wider and more uniform below the shoulder, the other narrower , often interrupted, above the mid-portion of the body, and a third one quite irregular, interrupted with white flecks or streaks, covering most of the basal third. White color predominates around the central region, usually covered with axial brown streaks. Spiral rows of brown dots are also present in some specimens. The brown colour may eventually cover most of the last whorl leaving only one central irregular white band. In some populations the brown colour may be almost completely absent, the result entirely white. The spire is predominantely white, covered by thin axial flecks. In specimens with high stepped spires the sutural ramps may show brown colour in the region immediately above the suture.

Radula: of vermivorous type, slender, with one barb opposing a sharp blade covering the half of the apical portion, which is slightly shorter than half of the size of the radular tooth. Waist not very well marked but evident. One row of 25-28 fine denticles present in the serration, which runs all along the apical portion, ending on a crusp. Base relatively large and broad, with one spur.

Habitat & Habits

Intertidal to over 50 m depth.

Related Taxon

References

Radular Morphology


Western Cape, South Africa (0.67 mm x 36.8 mm)