Barycypraea

Barycypraea fultoni massieri

Barycypraea is a genus of the family of cowries ( Cypraeidae ) and was erected in 1927 by Franz Alfred signs. Type species of the extinct species Barycypraea is caputviperae. Barycypraea includes only two extant species: on the one Barycypraea fultoni and other Barycypraea teulerei.

Features

Striking is the Kallosität, the thickening of the housing. The species are therefore very difficult. The typical case sizes at Barycypraea fultoni are 54-80 mm, the largest shell found is 85 mm. Barycypraea teulerei is small and is rarely greater than 52 mm, here the record is 67 mm.

A distinction in the type Barycypraea fultoni may be via a comparison of the housing sides. Barycypraea f fultoni is drawn between the teeth brown, Barycypraea f massieri has not this drawing, but sometimes are a few points to look at the edges. Barycypraea f amorimi is drawn similar but has a lot more points. In addition Barycypraea is f amorimi wider than both of those snails. On the back of all members of this type, there is an irregular pattern of curved lines. Barycypraea teulerei has at the same spot a pattern in the same color, only is this pattern very well with the rest of white / brown / gray lined areas of the auger housing delineated. For this type has another peculiarity: it has no teeth at the opening. This is a rarity in the cowries and comes else among others in some species of the genus Cypraeovula ago.

Habitat and Distribution

The distribution areas of the two extant species of this genus are located in the western Indian Ocean. Prior to the eastern coasts of South Africa the nominate Barycypraea fultoni fultoni the type Barycypraea fultoni, off the coast of Mozambique, the two other subspecies f and f massieri anorimi is endemic. The depth of the habitat begins at 60 m and probably dates to 250 m down ( f amorimi ). Until a few years evidence about the existence of this species were found only in the bellies of fish caught. 1970 was Barycypraea fultoni as extremely rare, there were only 25 copies known. Although since a lot more cases have been found, it is still considered very rare. Descriptions of habitat are barely secured and are based on few observations. Then, as is customary with most cowries, these representatives also live on sponges and corals. The type Barycypraea teulerei has no subspecies and is found in the marginal seas of the Indian Ocean, around Oman ( Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Oman) frequent and rare in the Red Sea. Although this species is not as rare as far Barycypraea fultoni missing here also secured details both the habitat and the condition of the living animal.

Systematics and species

Agreement among taxonomists prevails at Barycypraea fultoni, this is always considered as a species of the genus Barycypraea. At Odds one is, however, teulerei at Barycypraea. In some analyzes this in 1884 established by Félix Pierre Jousseaume genus Bernaya is assigned. However, the majority of the taxonomic systems performs this kind under the genus Barycypraea. In his book on the cowries A Guide To Worldwide Cowries of 2000 is led by Felix Lorenz teulerei still under the genus Bernaya, now is this for him to Barycypraea.

Extant species

• Barycypraea fultoni Brettingham George Sowerby III, 1903
• Barycypraea teulerei Cazenavette, 1846

Extinct species ( incomplete)

• † Barycypraea beberkiriana Martin, 1899
• † Barycypraea caputviperae Martin, 1899
• † Barycypraea humerosa Sow, 1840
• † Barycypraea luxoriosa signs, 1939
• † Barycypraea murisimilis Martin, 1879
• † Barycypraea singuensis Vredenburg, 1920
• † Barycypraea zietsmani Liltved & Le Roux, 1988