Conidae (Mollusca, Gastropoda) of Lakshadweep, India
Ravinesh, Raveendhiran
Kumar, Appukuttannair Biju
Kohn, Alan J.
Zootaxa
2018
2018-06-28
4441
3
467
494
XWXB
G. B. Sowerby
G. B. Sowerby
[151,575,1287,1314]
Gastropoda
Conidae
Conus
GBIF
Animalia
Neogastropoda
6
473
Mollusca
species
aristophanes
Localities:Agatti, Amini, Androth, Bitra, Chetlet, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kilton and Minicoy Habitat:Rocky intertidal, lagoons, inner reef platform, sea grass bed, sandy shores Depth: 0.2– 8 m Specimens examined, observed:20, 137 Length: 18–27 mm
Remarks:This is the first report of C. aristophanesfrom India, and a new distribution record for the central Indian Ocean. The species-level distinction between the largely sympatric C. coronatusand C. aristophanesremains uncertain. Cernohorsky (1964, 1978) pointed out consistent shell morphological differences between them in Fiji. The most striking of these is fewer spiral striae on the sutural ramps: 1–2 vs. 4–7 in C. coronatus(see Fig. 1Q). Puillandre et al. (2014: Fig. 2) reported a genetic distance of about 10% between the two based on three mitochondrial genes, a disparity that usually indicates species-level distinction. Prior to that study, Röckel et al.(1995)and Coomans et al.(1981)had concluded conspecificity based on morphology. We tentatively consider them distinct, but further study remains necessary.