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Conus lynceus

Conus lynceus, the lynceus cone, is a species of predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails, cone shells or cones.

Last revised
Jul 22, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
441 w
Citations
3
Source
Conus lynceus
Conus lynceus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Family: Conidae
Genus: Conus
Species:
C. lynceus
Binomial name
Conus lynceus
Synonyms2
  • Asprella lyncea (G.B. Sowerby II, 1858)
  • Conus (Phasmoconus) lynceus Sowerby II, 1858 · accepted, alternate representation
  • Graphiconus lynceus (G. B. Sowerby II, 1858)

Conus lynceus , the lynceus cone, is a species of predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails, cone shells or cones.

Like all species within the genus Conus, these snails are predatory and venomous. They are capable of stinging humans, therefore live ones should be handled carefully or not at all.

Description

Conantokin-L is a toxin derived from the venom of Conus lynceus.

Distribution

This is an Indo-Pacific species found along Taiwan, the Philippines, Java, Solomon Islands, Queensland, Australia.

Conus lynceus Sowerby, G.B. II, 1858 source ↗
Conus lynceus Sowerby, G.B. II, 1858 source ↗

Shell description

The size of an adult shell varies between 50 mm and 89 mm. The shell is somewhat swollen, distantly sulcate below, otherwise smooth. The shell is white with encircled by chestnut spots, clouds, and oblique and triangular markings. It has a very pointed, maculated spire.3

References

References

  1. Sowerby (II), G. B. Jr., 1857. Thesaurus Conchyliorum or Monographs of the Genera of Shells, 3.
  2. Conus lynceus G. B. Sowerby II, 1858. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 28 July 2011.
  3. George Washington Tryon, Manual of Conchology vol. VI, p. 56; 1879 (described as Conus nisus Chemn.)
External links