Kingdom Animalia Class Gastropoda Clade Hypsogastropoda Scientific name Conus tulipa | Phylum Mollusca Clade Caenogastropoda Clade Neogastropoda Rank Species | |
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Similar Conus striatus, Conus geographus, Conus aulicus, Conus textile, Conus magus | ||
Conus tulipacommon name the tulip cone, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails and their allies.
Contents
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.
A class of conopeptides named rho-TIA was discovered in Conus tulipa in 2001. This class of conopetides targets (react with) alpha1-adrenergic receptors.
Description
The size of the shell varies between 45 mm and 95 mm. The shell is variegated with violet and white, clouded with chestnut, with numerous revolving rows of minute chestnut and white articulations. The interior of the aperture is violaceous.
Conantokin-T is a toxin derived from the venom of Conus tulipa.
Distribution
The marine species occurs in the Indo-Western Pacific.
Feeding habits
Conus tulipa preys on fishes.