Zoila decipiens

Zoila decipiens, common names the "humpback cowry" or "deceptive cowry", is a species of sea snail, a cowry, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries. This shell got its Latin name decipiens, meaning deceiving, from the fact that its damaged holotype was wrongly classified as Zoila thersites.

Zoila decipiens
A lateral view of a shell of Zoila decipiens from NW Australia. Anterior end towards the right.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Caenogastropoda
clade Hypsogastropoda
clade Littorinimorpha
Superfamily:
Cypraeoidea
Family:
Cypraeidae
Subfamily:
Bernayinae
Genus:
Zoila
Species:
Z. decipiens
Binomial name
Zoila decipiens
Smith, 1880
Synonyms
  • Cypraea decipiens E. A. Smith, 1880

Description
Dorsal view of Zoila decipiens

These quite uncommon shells reach about 32–70 millimetres (1.3–2.8 in) of length. The shell is rather heavy, its shape is globular, almost inflated. Dorsum is distinctly arched. Its color is pale brown and more or less densely covered with brown irregular dark brown spots, while the dorsal line is lighter and usually clearly visible. Dorsal surface is separated from the edges by a dark brown frame. The base is dark brown and almost flat, with angled edges. The mouth is narrow, the short teeth are darker than the base and are present on both lips.

Distribution

This endemic species occurs in the sea along North West Australia. The shells have been most frequently found by divers from an area SW of Broome, (Australia).

Habitat

These large colourful cowries live in cold deep water, feeding on sponges in crevices and rocks at a maximum depth of 60–70 metres (200–230 ft), but they are more usually found at a depth of 15–35 metres (49–115 ft).

Subspecies
  • Zoila decipiens decipiens Smith, 1880
  • Zoila decipiens suprasinum Lorenz, 2002
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References
  • Lorenz F. & Hubert A. (2000) A guide to worldwide cowries. Edition 2. Hackenheim: Conchbooks. 584 pp
  • Biolib
  • "Zoila decipiens decipiens". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  • Cowries
  • Cypraeidae
  • Marine Species WoRMS
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