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Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > Family Cypraeidea
Graceful cowrie
Purpuradusta gracilis
Family Cypraeidae
updated Jul 2020

Where seen? This pretty cowrie is sometimes seen on our Northern shores, on rocks, also on rubble among seagrasses in a sandy lagoon. Often seen in a pair. It is considered uncommon elsewhere. It was previously known as Cypraea gracilis.

Features:
2.5cm. Shell pear-shaped, bluish-grey with irregular brownish speckles or small darkish brown blotches or dark brown broken bars. Dark brown blotches at both the front and back ends.
Underside white brown spots, without coloured 'teeth'. The living animal has a dark brown or reddish mantle with sparse short white 'hairs'.

Pulau Sekudu, Aug 13

Pulau Sekudu, Aug 13

Graceful cowries on Singapore shores
On wildsingapore flickr

Other sightings on Singapore shores


Chek Jawa, Jun 14

Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on flickr.

Pulau Ubin, Dec 09

Photo shared by James Koh on flickr.


Changi, Jan 14

Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on flickr.

Changi, Aug 14

Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on flickr.

Pulau Sekudu, Jun 14


Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on flickr.


East Coast Park (B), Jun 21

Photo shared by Vincent Choo on facebook.
   

Acknowledgement
Grateful thanks to Tan Siong Kiat and Wong Hoong Wei for identifying this snail

Links

References

  • Tan Siong Kiat and Henrietta P. M. Woo, 2010 Preliminary Checklist of The Molluscs of Singapore (pdf), Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, National University of Singapore.
  • Abbott, R. Tucker, 1991. Seashells of South East Asia. Graham Brash, Singapore. 145 pp.
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