Reef Stories

True Cowries

Shell Index

Bivalves

File Shells

Giant Clam

Oysters

"Snails"

Auger

Bubble Shells

Conchs

Cones

Cowries

Cystiscus

Harp Shells

Helmets

Mitres

Murex

Moon Shells

Olives

Ovulid Cowries

Parasitic Shells

Stromatolines

Tritons

Tuns

Velutinid

Volutes

Wendeltraps

Whelks

Worm Shells

Cowries have a special place in human history, being used as money since ancient Egyptian times, in rituals, jewelry, games and are covetted by shell collectors.

When alive, the mantle completely covers the very shiny shell, but is quickly withdrawn when danger threatens. They are nocturnal feeders, grazing on whatever is growing on hard surfaces.

Originally they were all placed in a single genus, but in-depth research has shown that the c. 180 species are best arranged in a series of familes. The images show that the groupings put species with similar soft parts together.

True Cowries

Relationships

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Cowries

Cribrarula

Cypraea

Erronea

Lyncina

Mauritia

Naria

Palmadusta

Pustularia

Ransoniella

Staphylaea

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