Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 16, 2026

Oxymeris maculata

Oxymeris maculata, also called marlinspike auger, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Terebridae, the auger snails. It can be found in tropical climates at depths of 0 to 210 meters.

Last revised
Jul 16, 2026
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Oxymeris maculata
Live Oxymeris maculata
Shells of Oxymeris maculata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Family: Terebridae
Genus: Oxymeris
Species:
O. maculata
Binomial name
Oxymeris maculata
Synonyms1

Oxymeris maculata, also called marlinspike auger, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Terebridae, the auger snails. It can be found in tropical climates at depths of 0 to 210 meters.2

Description

Oxymeris maculata has a cream colored shell with dark, rectangular spots that span the spiral.3 It is the largest Terebrid species, with an average shell height of 16 centimeters2 and reaching up to 27.4 centimeters.4 This species feeds on smaller gastropods and echinoderms, including the Crown of Thorns sea star5 and polychaete worms.3 It is one of the many species within the Terebridae family to lose its venom ducts.6

Distribution and habitat

Oxymeris maculata can be found in the tropical Indo-Pacific, such as off Aldabra, Chagos, Madagascar, the Mascarene Basin, Mauritius and Tanzania. This species can also be found in the Pacific Ocean off Mexico, Papua New Guinea,7 and Hawaii. In Hawaii it can be found off the beaches in places such as Waimānalo, Kahe Point, and Honokōhau.8

Human use

Oxymeris maculata is sometimes collected to eat the snail inside the shell.2 It has also been used as a boring tool in South Pacific cultures.2 Its common name, marlinspike, comes from its shape that is similar to the nautical tool used for splicing ropes.9

References

References

  1. Oxymeris maculata (Linnaeus, 1758). Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 30 March 2011.
  2. "Oxymeris maculata, Marlinspike : fisheries". www.sealifebase.se. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  3. Hoover, John P. (1998). Hawai'i's sea creatures: a guide to Hawai'i's marine invertebrates. Honolulu, Hawaii: Mutual Pub. ISBN 978-1-56647-220-3.
  4. Fedosov, Ae; Tiunov, Av; Kiyashko, Si; Kantor, Yi (5 February 2014). "Trophic diversification in the evolution of predatory marine gastropods of the family Terebridae as inferred from stable isotope data". Marine Ecology Progress Series. 497: 143–156. doi:10.3354/meps10585. ISSN 0171-8630.
  5. "Marine Invertebrates". newheavenreefconservation.org. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  6. Olivera, Baldomero M.; Showers Corneli, Patrice; Watkins, Maren; Fedosov, Alexander (1 February 2014). "Biodiversity of Cone Snails and Other Venomous Marine Gastropods: Evolutionary Success Through Neuropharmacology". Annual Review of Animal Biosciences. 2 (1): 487–513. doi:10.1146/annurev-animal-022513-114124. ISSN 2165-8102.
  7. "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Oxymeris maculata (Linnaeus, 1758)". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  8. "Marlinspike Auger, Terebra (Oxymeris) maculata". www.marinelifephotography.com. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  9. "Oxymeris maculata, Marshall Islands". www.underwaterkwaj.com. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  • Bratcher T. & Cernohorsky W.O. (1987). Living terebras of the world. A monograph of the recent Terebridae of the world. American Malacologists, Melbourne, Florida & Burlington, Massachusetts. 240pp.
  • Severns, M. (2011). Shells of the Hawaiian Islands - The Sea Shells. Conchbooks, Hackenheim. 564 pp
External links

Media related to Oxymeris maculata at Wikimedia Commons