MacAndrew's cowrie
NameMacAndrew's cowrie
Scientific NameContradusta macandrewi
Common NameMacAndrew's cowrie
FamilyCypraeidae
GenusContradusta
Speciesmacandrewi
Geographic DistributionIndo-Pacific region, including areas such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.
Average Size (mm)15-40 mm
Identifying FeaturesThe most distinctive feature of the living animal is its highly papillose, reddish-orange mantle with translucent, branched projections that completely envelop the shell. The shell itself is characterized by its reddish-brown coloration with darker bands, though this is often obscured by the mantle in living specimens.
Raritycommon
Author Citation(Sowerby, 1870)
Description
A species of marine gastropod mollusc, commonly known as MacAndrew's cowrie, belonging to the family Cypraeidae. This image shows a living specimen with its mantle fully extended, covering its shell, on a sandy substrate, likely in its natural marine environment.
