horned murex
Namehorned murex
Scientific NameChicoreus tribulus
Common NameHorned Murex
FamilyMuricidae
GenusChicoreus
Speciestribulus
Geographic DistributionIndo-Pacific region, including areas from East Africa to the Western Pacific, such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and Australia.
Habitatsubtidal
Shell Shapefusiform
Average Size (mm)80-150
Identifying FeaturesThe most distinctive features are the very long, straight, and slender siphonal canal, and the numerous, sharp, hollow, and often recurved spines (horns) that project from the three axial varices. The shell surface is rough, nodulose, and sculptured.
Raritycommon
Author Citation(Linnaeus, 1758)
Description
A predatory marine gastropod shell characterized by its elongated siphonal canal and numerous sharp, hollow spines or "horns" arranged along its varices. The shell surface is typically rough and sculptured, with colors ranging from off-white to light brown. The specimen in the image shows a well-preserved, spiny shell amidst what appears to be marine debris or algae.
