Cassis cornuta

Cassis cornuta, common name the horned helmet, is a species of extremely large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Cassidae, the helmet shells and their allies.[1]

Cassis cornuta
A shell of Cassis cornuta
Five views of a shell of Cassis cornuta
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Caenogastropoda
clade Hypsogastropoda
clade Littorinimorpha
Superfamily:
Tonnoidea
Family:
Cassidae
Subfamily:
Cassinae
Genus:
Cassis
Subgenus:
Cassis
Species:
C. cornuta
Binomial name
Cassis cornuta
Synonyms
  • Buccinum cornutum Linnaeus, 1758 (basionym)
  • Cassis amboinensis Petivier in Tryon, G.W., 1885
  • Cassis brevirostrum Petivier in Tryon, G.W., 1885
  • Cassis caputequinum Röding, 1798
  • Cassis hamata Röding, 1798
  • Cassis labiata Dillwyn, L.W., 1817

Description

The length of the shell varies between 50 mm and 410 mm. It is the largest of all helmet shells. It has a very solid, heavy, rotund shell with large, horn-like knobs and a wide, flat base. The shell has a dorsally pale orange colour, its base vivid orange, faintly marked with white and brown.[1]

Habitat

This large sea snail is found on sand and coral rubble, often around reefs.

Distribution

This species occurs in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, off the southern African coast from northern KwaZulu-Natal and from Mozambique,[2] as well as in the Pacific Ocean.

Relevance to humans

The shell of Cassis cornuta is a very popular collector's item. In some places the snail is hunted for meat and is traditionally roasted in the shell over fire. Because of both of these factors, humans are a major enemy, and the species is now at risk in many places. However, worldwide it is not listed in the Red List. Because this snail hunts the crown-of-thorns starfish, which feed on corals, Cassis cornuta has been put under strict protection in Queensland.

gollark: If only I actually got that xenowyrm yesterday.
gollark: So someone probably has one and offered.
gollark: Indeed.
gollark: I accidentally somehow copied my cheese trade or something. I don't know how.
gollark: https://dragcave.net/teleport/1410efa5b0825595c9cf8a11219c51fe

References
  1. Rosenberg, G. (2012). Cassis cornuta (Linnaeus, 1758). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=208963 on 2012-11-25
  2. Steyn, D.G. & Lussi, M. 2005. Offshore Shells of Southern Africa ISBN 0-620-33607-2
  • Rippingale, O.H. & McMichael, D.F., 1961. Queensland and Great Barrier Reef Shells. Jacaranda Press, Brisbane. 210 pp.
  • Abbott, R.T., 1968 [31/Dec/1968]. The helmet shells of the world (Cassidae). Part 1. Indo-Pacific Mollusca, 2(9):7-198.
  • Wilson, B. R. & Gillet, K., 1971. Australian Shells. A. H. & A. W. Reed, Sydney
  • Salvat, B. & Rives, C., 1975. Coquillages de Polynésie. les editions du pacifique, Papeete - Tahiti. 1-391.
  • Kay, E.A., 1979. Hawaiian marine shells. [Reef and shore fauna of Hawaii, Section 4: Mollusca. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Special Publication 64(4)]. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. xvii + 653 pp.
  • Wilson, B., 1993. Australian Marine Shells. Prosobranch Gastropods. Odyssey Publishing, Kallaroo, WA.
  • Kreipl, K., 1997. Recent Cassidae. Verlag Christa Hemman, Weisbaden. 1-151, pls 1-24.
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