Conus zeylanicus Gmelin, 1791

Franklin, J. Benjamin, Subramanian, K. A., Fernando, S. Antony & Krishnan, K. S., 2009, 2250, Zootaxa 2250, pp. 1-63 : 51-53

60. Conus zeylanicus Gmelin, 1791 (Figure 61)

Conus zeylanicus Gmelin, 1791: 3389 , no. 41 (representation of lectotype, Martini 1777: pl. 2, fig. 20 (44 x 23 mm) ( Kohn 1966); locality unknown.

Conus obesus Hwass in Bruguière, 1792: 623–624, no. 19 (lectotype, MHNG (65 x 45.5 mm) (Kohn 1968); "les mers des Indes orientales").

Cucullus meningeus Röding, 1798: 39 , no. 491/17 (representation of lectotype, Chemnitz 1788: pl. 142, fig. 1318 (42 x 23 mm) (Kohn 1975); locality unknown).

Cucullus theobroma Röding, 1798: 43 , no. 549/60 (representation of lectotype, Chemnitz 1788: pl. 142, fig. 1318 (42 x 23 mm) (Kohn 1975); locality unknown).

Material examined: MBMCS 160 , 120 specimens, SL 42–56 mm; SW 25–38 mm .

Description. Shell medium sized to moderately large, solid to moderately heavy. Body whorl conical or ventricosely conical, outline slightly convex above base and below shoulder and more straight in between. Body whorl with variably broad spiral ribs at base, smoother posteriorly with many low spiral and axial threads and growth marks. Shoulder wide, rounded, margins irregularly undulate. Spire of low to moderate height, sharply pointed, sides slightly convex. Aperture narrow posteriorly, much wider below; outer lip thick, straight or nearly so.

Ground colour white with strong pinkish tones, covered with a variable pattern of small brown dashes and spots, opaque white blotches, larger black triangles; combinations of these features result in patterns usually comprising two broad and indistinct spiral bands of dark brownish triangles and blotches; the bands usually above and below centre, sometimes a weak additional band below shoulder; the whole pattern is very inconsistent. Shoulder whitish with large dark-brown blotches. Spire whorls whitish with smaller brown blotches. Aperture white.

Distribution. Kohn (1978) first reported C. zeylanicus from Tuticorin and he also referred to unpublished records of two specimens trawled near Madras.

The specimens described herein were collected by trawling in sandy bottoms at 8–10 m at Periyakuppam and in 10–50 m at Cuddalore, mainly on sand and sandy-mud bottoms.

Remarks. Conus zeylanicus , though abundant, was found only at Cuddalore and Periyakuppam. Specimens of C. zeylanicus varied in the colour pattern of the body whorl (Figure 62R). The pinkish tones may be heavy or reduced. Apart from the typical two broad spiral bands of blackish triangles and blotches on the body whorl, specimens vary from inconstant spiral bands to complete absence.

Rarely, a worm, probably Aspidosiphon muelleri Diesing (Pers. comm. by Kohn) was found to inhabit empty shells of C. zeylanicus , coiled around the posterior columella (Figure 62S&T).

Figures 62. A, B, C & D. Specimens of C. achatinus showing variation of colour pattern, E. Specimens of C. amadis showing variation of colour pattern, F. C. amadis with a heavy infestation of Balanus amphitrite on the shell surface, G. The occurrence of Balanus reticulatus on the shell surface of C. amadis , H. C. araneosus with a heavy infestation of Balanus amaryllis on the shell surface, I. An odd specimen of Conus araneosus with a turreted or stepped spire, J. Sea anemone on C. figulinus, K. Sea anemones removed from the shell surface of C. loroisii, L. Sea anemone on C. monile, M. An unusual shell of C. geographus with very thin shell and sharp lip, N. Albino specimen of C. inscriptus without any banding pattern, O. Specimens of C. monile showing variation of the banding pattern in the last whorl, P. Dorsal and ventral view of C. striatus f. subfloridus , Q. Specimens of C. textile showing variation of colour pattern, R. Specimens of C. zeylanicus showing variation of colour pattern, S & T. A worm probably Aspidosiphon muelleri Diesing coiled around the anterior columella of an empty shell of C. zeylanicus . Scale bars: 62A, B, C, D & N: 1 cm; 62H, I, M, O, Q & R: 2 cm.