Murex lycopersicon Lichtenstein, 1794

Geiger, Daniel L., 2022, Anton August Heinrich Lichtenstein’s (1794) Catalogus Rerum Naturalium Rarissimarum, pars secunda. Facsimile edition and annotated translation, Zootaxa 5127 (1), pp. 1-126 : 117

Murex lycopersicon Lichtenstein, 1794

Chemnitz’ (1788) figure cited by Lichtenstein (1794) shows a “ Murex sacellum ” from the coast of Nicobar 1 inch 9 lines (approximately 5 cm) tall, hence, somewhat larger than Lichtenstein’s 1 1/ 4 inches. Thais sacellum (Gmelin, 1791) is a junior synonym of T. rugosa ( Born, 1778) found in southeast Asia. From the distinction of a wider siphonal canal, it is difficult to assess the species’ identity. Thaids are very variable in outline and proportions, and Chemnitz’ (1788) figure was certainly a juvenile specimen of the species, because the apertural lip is not thickened. Murex lycopersicon remains a nomen dubium.