Mauritian Cowrie (Mauritia mauritiana)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Mauritia mauritiana
- Common name
- Mauritian Cowrie
- Category
- Molluscs
- Family
- Cypraeidae
- Genus
- Mauritia
- Size
- 4–8 cm
- Depth
- 5–40 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, solitary, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Mauritia mauritiana reaches 8 cm. Rare cowrie (Mollusca) Indian Ocean. Pink-cream shell, complex brown-black patterns. Highly localized. Branched mantle. Nocturnal. Coastal reefs 5-40 m. LC. Rarely documented.
Photo of Mauritian Cowrie
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Mauritian Cowrie?
- Mauritian Cowrie (Mauritia mauritiana) reaches 4–8 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Mauritian Cowrie?
- Mauritian Cowrie is found between 5–40 m deep.
- Is the Mauritian Cowrie dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Mauritian Cowrie?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Mauritian Cowrie?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the family Cypraeidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 216868)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5724937)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia