Monetaria caputserpentis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Snake
Head cowry or Brownie, 16.5-41mm
Monetaria caputserpentis
is an abundant cowry across most of the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans from
Hawaii to East Africa. One of the three most common species in the Marshalls,
it primarily inhabits the intertidal reef flat, where it lives under rocks and
in depressions in the reef. They seem most abundant near the outer edge of the
reef, and also live in the rough zone where the waves break on the edge of the
reef. Living specimens can also be seen in the shallow subtidal zone beyond
the breakers, where they live to depths of about 4m in reef pockets
to help protect them from the surging wave action. Its abundance and easy accessibility
has made it a popular decoration in Marshallese handicrafts. Although the shell
looks more like it belongs in another genus, perhaps Mauritia or Naria,
analysis of the DNA indicates a closer relationship to Monetaria
moneta and M. annulus.
This species is found throughout the Indo-Pacific. A similar shell in Hawaii
been split off by some to a separate species Monetaria caputophidii,
and it is replaced on Easter Island by the similar Monetaria caputdraconis.
19.7mm, 1972
29.8mm, 1982
Created
1 April 2008
Updated 2 April 2024
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