Conus luciae is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails and their allies.
Like all species within the genus Conus, these snails are predatory and venomous. They are capable of stinging humans, therefore live ones should be handled carefully or not at all.
Description
The shell has an obconic shape with light colouring and small spots. The aperture is notably thin, curving around the exterior. The size of the shell varies between 21 mm and 62 mm. Distribution This marine species occurs in the Coral Sea and off New Caledonia.
References
Moolenbeek, R., 1986. Studies on Conidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda), 6. Conidae of the Chesterfields Island, with description of Conus luciae nova species. Bulletin Zoologisch Museum Universiteit van Amsterdam 10(25): 209–214 Tucker J.K. & Tenorio M.J. (2009) Systematic classification of Recent and fossil conoidean gastropods. Hackenheim: Conchbooks. 296 pp. Monnier E., Limpalaër L., Robin A. & Roux C. (2018). A taxonomic iconography of living Conidae. Harxheim: ConchBooks. 2 vols. 1205 pp. page(s): 346 Puillandre N., Duda T.F., Meyer C., Olivera B.M. & Bouchet P. (2015). One, four or 100 genera? A new classification of the cone snails. Journal of Molluscan Studies. 81: 1–23
External links
The Conus Biodiversity website Cone Shells - Knights of the Sea
Holotype in MNHN, Paris