Cypraecassis rufa is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Cassidae. It is commonly known as the bullmouth shell or red helmet shell, and also as the cameo shell.[2]

Cypraecassis rufa
Ventral view of a shell of Cypraecassis rufa, anterior end facing downwards
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Littorinimorpha
Family: Cassidae
Genus: Cypraecassis
Species:
C. rufa
Binomial name
Cypraecassis rufa
Synonyms[1]

Cassis rufa Linnaeus, 1758

A shell of Cypraecassis rufa. The anterior end is to the lower left.
Shell showing posterior end, with spire and protoconch, and right side of the shell.

Description

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This large species attains a size of 200 mm.

Distribution

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This species is found off the southern African coast from northern KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique. It is more common in Mozambique.[3] It is also a common shell to find on the shores of Kenya.

References

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  1. ^ Edward Vanden Berghe (1997). "Cypraecassis rufa (Linnaeus, 1758)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species.
  2. ^ "Cypraecassis (Cypraecassis) rufa". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
  3. ^ Steyn, D.G. & Lussi, M. 2005. Offshore Shells of Southern Africa ISBN 0-620-33607-2