Bellybutton Nautilus
NameBellybutton Nautilus
Scientific NameNautilus macromphalus
Common NameBellybutton Nautilus
FamilyNautilidae
GenusNautilus
Speciesmacromphalus
Geographic DistributionEndemic to the waters around New Caledonia and Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean.
Average Size (mm)170
Identifying FeaturesThe most distinctive feature is the large, open, and deep umbilicus. Other features include its smooth shell surface, characteristic dorsal striped pattern, and the absence of an operculum. The animal itself has numerous cirri (tentacles) and large, primitive eyes.
Author CitationSowerby, 1849
Description
The Bellybutton Nautilus, *Nautilus macromphalus*, is a fascinating living fossil, a cephalopod mollusk characterized by its distinctive, involute, planispiral shell. Unlike other Nautilus species, it possesses a prominent, deep, and open umbilicus, giving it its common name. This nocturnal deep-water inhabitant is a scavenger and opportunistic predator, playing a role in its marine ecosystem. Its striking striped shell makes it a sought-after specimen, contributing to its 'Near Threatened' conservation status.
