The Yellow Mouth Ricinula
NameThe Yellow Mouth Ricinula
Scientific NameDrupa ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common NameYellow-mouthed Drupe, Yellow Mouth Ricinula
FamilyMuricidae
GenusDrupa
Speciesricinus
Geographic DistributionWidespread throughout the Indo-Pacific region, including East Africa, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Western Pacific.
Habitatintertidal
Shell Shapeconical
Average Size (mm)30
Identifying FeaturesBright yellow to orange-yellow aperture with strong, often dark denticles on both the outer lip and columella; nodulose or spiny sculpture on the shell exterior; robust and heavy shell for its size; short siphonal canal.
Raritycommon
Author Citation(Linnaeus, 1758)
Description
A small, robust gastropod shell characterized by its nodulose or spiny exterior, short spire, and prominently colored aperture. The shell is typically whitish or pale cream externally, often with darker markings. The most distinctive feature is the bright yellow to orange-yellow interior of the aperture, which is lined with strong, often dark-colored denticles on both the outer lip and the columella. The siphonal canal is short.
