Conus aulicus Linnaeus, 1758
Aulicus cone, ~100mm

We found Conus aulicus at Enewetak Atoll, where it was moderately rare on lagoon pinnacles and active nocturnally. The differences between C. aulicus and C. cathyae in the Marshalls are subtle and may not be taxonomically significant. We call the Enewetak specimens C. aulicus because they are a bit wider shells with larger white tent markings, more like (but not as wide as) photos of C. aulicus in books such as Robin (2008). Conus cathyae from Kwajalein is a bit more slender and usually has finer tent markings. It is possible that what we are calling Conus aulicus and C. cathyae in the Marshalls are variations of the same species.

We currently do not have a photo of the living animal. The empty shell below was found at Enewetak Atoll in 1982.

Created 4 July 2009
Updated 20 March 2021

Return to cones

Kwajalein Underwater home