Conus virgo Linnaeus, 1758

Franklin, J. Benjamin, Subramanian, K. A., Fernando, S. Antony & Krishnan, K. S., 2009, 2250, Zootaxa 2250, pp. 1-63 : 51

59. Conus virgo Linnaeus, 1758 (Figure 60)

Conus virgo Linnaeus, 1758: 713 , no. 253 (representation of lectotype, Rumphius 1705: pl. 31, fig. E (63 x 30 mm) ( Kohn 1963); locality unknown).

Material examined: MBMCS 159 , 48 specimens, SL 50–110 mm; SW 28–52 mm .

Description. Shell moderately large, heavy with a low gloss. Body whorl conical, outline slightly convex over the adapical quarter, straight below. Shoulder broad, angulate. Spire low to flat, outline slightly concave to slightly convex. Aperture moderately narrow, posteriorly slightly wider anteriorly, outer lip sharp, straight or nearly so. Body whorl with weak or obsolete spiral ribs near base. Widely spaced fine ribs and wrinkled threads between extend to centre or beyond.

Ground colour white to yellow, with occasionally darker orange collabral lines marking growth cessations. Base broadly stained deep purple, visible both dorsally and ventrally. Spire same colour as body whorl, usually paler. Aperture glossy white, with a large, dark purple blotch at base. Periostracum thick, dark brown and opaque.

Distribution. Early reports of C. virgo are by Melvill & Standen (1898) and by Sundaram (1969) from Mandapam along the east coast. Based on specimens deposited in museums, Kohn (1978) reported that this species is known to occur from Pondicherry (at MNHN) to Tuticorin (at ZSI, MGM) on the east coast and also from Bombay (at ZMUC) on the west coast.

The specimens reported herein were collected from various stations ( Table 6) by trawling in 5–20 m around the coral reef islands of the Gulf of Mannar. However, at Vedhalai the specimens were collected by diving in 5 m, on the sand and coral rubble .

Remarks. This species is confined to the Gulf of Mannar. Their prevalence at shallow depths around the coral islands indicates their preference for such habitat. They often occur with C. araneosus , C. leopardus and C. terebra .