Cypraecassis rufa

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Cypraecassis rufa
Ventral view of a shell of Cypraecassis rufa, anterior end facing downwards
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
(unranked):
Superfamily:
Family:
Subfamily:
Cassinae
Genus:
Species:
C. rufa
Binomial name
Cypraecassis rufa
Synonyms[1]

Cassis rufa Linnaeus, 1758

Cypraecassis rufa is a

mollusc in the family Cassidae. It is commonly known as the bullmouth shell or red helmet shell, and also as the cameo shell.[2]

A shell of Cypraecassis rufa. The anterior end is to the lower left.
Shell showing posterior end, with spire and protoconch, and right side of the shell.

Description

This large species attains a size of 200 mm.

Distribution

This species is found off the southern African coast from northern KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique. It is more common in Mozambique.[3] It is also a common shell to find on the shores of Kenya.

References

  1. ^ Edward Vanden Berghe (1997). "Cypraecassis rufa (Linnaeus, 1758)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species.
  2. ^ "Cypraecassis (Cypraecassis) rufa". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 8 January 2010.