Abbreviated Cone
NameAbbreviated Cone
Scientific NameConus abbreviatus
Common NameAbbreviated Cone
FamilyConidae
GenusConus
Speciesabbreviatus
Geographic DistributionIndo-Pacific, particularly common in the Hawaiian Islands and other parts of the central Pacific.
Habitatintertidal
Shell Shapeconical
Average Size (mm)20-45
Identifying FeaturesBroadly conical shape, low spire, broad shoulder (sometimes slightly nodulose), and a characteristic pattern of numerous small reddish-brown spots on a white background. Its relatively squat and broad appearance distinguishes it from many other cone species.
Raritycommon
Author CitationReeve, 1843
Description
The Abbreviated Cone is a small to medium-sized, solid, and broadly conical marine gastropod shell. It features a low, slightly convex spire and a broad, angled shoulder. The shell's surface is generally smooth, though faint spiral grooves may be present near the base. Its distinctive coloration consists of a white or cream background adorned with numerous small, irregular reddish-brown to orange-brown spots and flecks, often arranged in spiral rows, which can sometimes coalesce into axial streaks or interrupted bands. The aperture is typically white.
