Nautilus vanuatuensis
NameNautilus vanuatuensis
Scientific NameNautilus vanuatuensis
Common NameVanuatu Nautilus
FamilyNautilidae
GenusNautilus
Speciesvanuatuensis
Geographic DistributionEndemic to the waters around Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean.
Average Size (mm)180-220
Identifying FeaturesLarge, coiled, chambered shell with distinct reddish-brown stripes. The living animal is characterized by its numerous cirri (tentacles) and a large, leathery hood that covers the head and can retract into the shell aperture. The specific color pattern and geographic location help distinguish it from other Nautilus species.
Rarityrare
Author CitationBarord, Combosch, Giribet, Goetz, Kelley, Lima, Marshall, Nardacci, Neumann, G. F. Perez, A. Perez, Veloso, White, and Fernandez, 2021
Description
A living specimen of Nautilus vanuatuensis, an extant species of nautilus, showcasing its distinctive coiled shell and soft body parts. The animal is seen in its natural deep-water habitat, likely on a rocky or sandy substrate.
