Monoplex pilearis, common name the hairy triton, is a species of medium-sized predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cymatiidae.[1]

Monoplex pilearis
A shell of Monoplex pilearis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Littorinimorpha
Family: Cymatiidae
Genus: Monoplex
Species:
M. pilearis
Binomial name
Monoplex pilearis
Synonyms[1]
  • Cymatium (Monoplex) pileare orientalis Garcia-Talavera, 1987
  • Cymatium (Septa) pileare (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Cymatium (Septa) pileare martinianum (d'Orbigny, 1847)
  • Cymatium martinianum (d'Orbigny, 1847)
  • Cymatium pileare (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Cymatium vestitum insulare Pilsbry, 1921
  • Eutritonium pileare (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Litiopa effusa C. B. Adams, 1850
  • Monoplex martinianus (d'Orbigny, 1847)
  • Murex pilearis Linnaeus, 1758
  • Saginafusus pricei perficus Iredale, 1931
  • Triton haemastoma Valenciennes, 1832
  • Triton martinianum d'Orbigny, 1842
  • Triton martinianus d'Orbigny, 1847
  • Triton veliei Calkins, 1878
  • Tritonium (Simpulum) beccarii Tapparone-Canefri, 1875
  • Tritonium olearium Röding, 1798

Distribution

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This species is widespread in the Atlantic, in the Red Sea and in the Indo-Western Pacific from East and South Africa, to eastern Polynesia, north to southern Japan and Hawaii and south to southern Queensland.[2][3][4][5]

(Monoplex martinianus) This marine species occurs from Florida in the United States to Brazil, Bermudas, Canary Islands, Liberia to Gabon, and Ascension Island.

Habitat

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This tropical benthic sea snails can be found at a depth range of 0 – 50 m.[4] They mainly live on hard and coarse detritic bottoms, in coral reef areas.[5]

Description

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Shells of Monoplex pilearis can reach a size of 38–140 millimetres (1.5–5.5 in).[2] These large shells are elongate with a tall spire and a strongly inflated body whorl. They show a yellowish-brown surface with chestnut- brown spiral ribs. The columella and the aperture are dark brown with white teeth.[6] The outer sculpture is relatively fine, with long inner ridges of the outer lip, extending deep into the aperture.[5]

Biology

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These sea snails are active predators. They are reported as feeding on bivalves. Eggs are laid on the substrate in large capsules clustered in masses.[5]

 
A shell of Monoplex pilearis

References

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  • Gofas, S.; Le Renard, J.; Bouchet, P. (2001). Mollusca. in: Costello, M.J. et al. (eds), European Register of Marine Species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Patrimoines Naturels. 50: 180-213
  • Beu, A. (2010). Catalogue of Tonnoidea
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