Conus augur

Franklin, J. Benjamin, Subramanian, K. A., Fernando, S. Antony & Krishnan, K. S., 2009, 2250, Zootaxa 2250, pp. 1-63 : 20-21

8. Conus augur [Lightfoot], 1786 (Figure 9)

Conus augur [Lightfoot], 1786: 44, no. 1046 (representation of lectotype, Knorr 1772: pl.13, fig. 6 (51 x 27 mm) ( Kohn

1964); " Ceylon ").

Conus punctatus Gmelin, 1791: 3389 , no. 40.

Conus augur Hwass in Bruguière, 1792: 685–686, no. 74 ("Isle de Ceylan ").

Cucullus magus Röding, 1798: 49 , no. 624 (representation of lectotype, Martini 1773: pl. 58, fig. 641 (41 x 22 mm) (Kohn 1975); locality unknown).

Cucullus pulverulentus Röding, 1798: 44 , no. 556 (same as lectotype of C. magus (Kohn 1975) ; locality unknown).

Material examined: MBMCS 108 , 6 specimens, SL 36–50 mm; SW 16–24 mm .

Description. Shell medium sized to large, solid to heavy. Body whorl broadly conical; the sides nearly straight. Shoulder sub-angulate; weakly tuberculate. Spire of moderate height; outline moderately convex. Body whorl with weak spiral ribs at base, ribs granulose in large specimens.

Ground colour white to pale yellow. Body whorl with numerous spiral rows of fine reddish brown dots from base to shoulder, with two interrupted reddish brown transverse bands on either side of the centre. The posterior band extends irregularly towards the shoulder. Aperture white, outer lip thick.

Distribution. Kohn (2001) reported C. augur without giving precise locality data.

The specimens reported herein were collected from Yerwadi, Keelakarai and Vembar ( Table 6) by trawling in 8–15 m.

Remarks. Conus augur is presumed to inhabit sand substrates. It appears to be rare on the TamilNadu Coast.