general notes on cowries
family Cypraeidae |
family Ovulidae |
about 200 species |
about 170 species,mainly tropical |
mainly on tropical and sub-tropical reefs, intertidal, mainly nocturnal some in deep temperate waters |
mostly tropical |
varied diet including algae, sponges, dead organic matter and other molluscs |
live and feed on various types corals |
mantle covers the outside of the shell, may act as camouflage,retracted when disturbed |
mantle covers the outside of the shell, may act as camouflage,retracted when disturbed |
teeth on both sides of the apperture |
teeth only on one side of the apperture |
mature shells are glossy and rounded, juveniles have a more typical gastropod shape. |
|
 |
|