Lyncina lynx (Linnaeus, 1758)
Lynx
cowry, 27-63mm
Lyncina lynx is a common
medium-sized cowry found primarily under rocks on shallow lagoon subtidal interisland
reefs and some reef-type pinnacles (for example, the one called Mar Fill head
near Kwajalein). We have seen them down to a depth of approximately 13m. Smaller
specimens are usually found intertidally under rocks. Full adults have a bluish
purple cast over the dorsum; specimens simply white to tan with brown spots
are slightly subadult.
The hard shell of these snails
is obviously not protection from all crushing predators.
54.2mm, 29 May 2000
49.75mm, March 1973
We saw a number of tiny specimens
while snorkeling on a shallow reef below The Village Hotel in Pohnpei, Caroline
Islands (Federated States of Micronesia), about 1000km west of Kwajalein. The
empty one below measured 20.0mm.
A comparison of a 54.35mm Kwajalein
specimen with the tiny 20.0mm one from Pohnpei.
Created
1 April 2008
Updated 1 June 2024
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