Ericusa

Ericusa is a small taxonomic genus of medium-sized predatory marine gastropod molluscs in the family Volutidae, the volutes.[1][2]

Ericusa
Ericusa sericata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Caenogastropoda
clade Hypsogastropoda
clade Neogastropoda
Superfamily:
Muricoidea
Family:
Volutidae
Genus:
Ericusa

Adams, H.G. & A. Adams, 1858
Species

See text

Distribution

Ericusa are endemic to Australia. They are found in temperate waters from southern Queensland to southern Western Australia.

Shell description

The shells of Ericusa have a small rounded protoconch, are biconical with a rounded shoulder and have an elongate aperture with 4 distinct columellar plicae and a thickened outer lip. The whorls are regular, smooth and convex. The protoconch is globose and deviates 45° from the axis of the shell. The colour pattern of Ericusa is pink or yellow brown overlaid with a varied brown pattern.

The largest species with shells exceeding 200 mm in length are Ericusa fulgetrum and Ericusa sowerbyi.

Biology

Ericusa are nocturnal and prey on invertebrates. They have a large foot and siphon and they lay relatively large solitary eggs.[3]

Taxonomy

Several infraspecific taxa of Ericusa fulgetra have been named, on the basis of colour patterns of the shell.

Species
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References
  1. Bail, P. (2010). Ericusa. In: Bouchet, P.; Gofas, S.; Rosenberg, G. (2010) World Marine Mollusca database. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=382335 on 2010-12-15
  2. "Australian marine shells 2" Wilson B, Odyssey Publishing, Kallaroo, Western Australia 1994 ISBN 0-646-15227-0
  3. "Shells Alive" Coleman N., Rigby, 1981. ISBN 0-7270-1346-7
  • Bail, P & Poppe, G. T. 2001. A conchological iconography: a taxonomic introduction of the recent Volutidae. Hackenheim-Conchbook, 30 pp, 5 pl.
  • . Gastropods.com : Ericusa; accessed : 15 December 2010]
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