Common Name

Provide us with this information.

Status

Regarded as a valid species.

Type Locality

Indian Ocean, on the coasts of China

Distribution

Japan to Philippines to Queensland and New Caledonia and Tuamotu, Madagascar

Maximum Reported Size

72,5 mm

Description

Medium-sized to moderately large, moderately solid to solid. Last whorl usually narrowly cylindrical to cylindrical, ventricosely conical or ovate in C.a. aureus. Outline convex to almost straight and parallel-sided at adapical two-thirds, concave at left side below. Aperture somewhat wider at base than near shoulder. Shoulder angulate to rounded, usually more angulate in C. a. aureus. Spire of moderate height, outline straight. Larval shell of 2.5-3 whorls and maximum diameter 0.75-0.9 mm in C.a. aureus. First 4-6 postnuclear whorls tuberculate. Teleoconch sutural ramps flat to slightly concave, with 0-2 increasing to 4-10 weak spiral grooves; additional spiral striae on latest ramps. Last whorl with closely spaced, granulose to smooth spiral ribs from base to shoulder, sometimes weak to obsolete toward shoulder.

Ground colour white. Last whorl with a network of fine light to dark brown lines and yellowish brown blotches. Lines forming zones of many tiny to small and a few larger tents, arranged in 3-5 axial and 3 interrupted spiral bands, below shoulder and centre and at base. Blotches grouped in 2 broad and often some additional narrow spiral bands, interspersed with broad blackish brown axial lines. Larval whorls and first 2.5-4 postnuclear sutural ramps immaculate, apex cream to pink, larval shell and about first 2.5 postnuclear sutural ramps immaculate. Following sutural ramps matching last whorl in colour pattern. Aperture white.

Periostracum pale brown, thin, translucent, smooth.

Shell Morphometry

L	40-80 mm
RW	0.13-0.36 g/mm
RD	0.46-0.53
PMD
RSH

Habitat & Habits

In 3-30 m on coral reef, in coral rubble and beneath coral rocks.

Discussion

C.a. aureus resembles C. auricomus. C. a. aureus has a West and Central Pacific distribution.

References

• Mus. Bolten 2: p. 49, no. 630/118 & 631/-, not figured.