Ericusa is a small taxonomic genus of medium-sized predatory marine gastropod molluscs in the family Volutidae, the volutes.[1][2]
| Ericusa | |
|---|---|
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| Ericusa sericata | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Family: | Volutidae |
| Tribe: | Livoniini |
| Genus: | Ericusa Adams, H.G. & A. Adams, 1858 |
| Species | |
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See text | |
Distribution edit
Ericusa are endemic to Australia. They are found in temperate waters from southern Queensland to southern Western Australia.
Shell description edit
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 edit
Ericusa are nocturnal and prey on invertebrates. They have a large foot and siphon and they lay relatively large solitary eggs.[3]
Taxonomy edit
Several infraspecific taxa of Ericusa fulgetra have been named, on the basis of colour patterns of the shell.
Species edit
- Ericusa fulgetrum (Sowerby I, 1825)
- Ericusa papillosa (Swainson, 1822)
- Ericusa sericata Thornley, 1951
- Ericusa sowerbyi (Kiener, 1839)
References edit
- ^ 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
- ^ "Australian marine shells 2" Wilson B, Odyssey Publishing, Kallaroo, Western Australia 1994 ISBN 0-646-15227-0
- ^ "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.
External links edit
- [1][permanent dead link]. Gastropods.com : Ericusa; accessed : 15 December 2010]