Superfamily Muricoidea Rank Genus | ||
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Similar Alcithoe, Cymbiola, Scaphella, Amoria, Lyria | ||
Ericusa
Ericusa is a small taxonomic genus of medium-sized predatory marine gastropod molluscs in the family Volutidae, the volutes.
Contents
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Distribution
Ericusa are endemic to Australia. They are found in temperate waters from southern Queensland to southern Western Australia.
Shell description
The shells of Ericusa have a small rounded protoconch, are biconical with a rounded shoulder and have an elongate aperture with 4 distinct columellar plicae and a thickened outer lip. The whorls are regular, smooth and convex. The protoconch is globose and deviates 45° from the axis of the shell. The colour pattern of Ericusa is pink or yellow brown overlaid with a varied brown pattern.
The largest species with shells exceeding 200 mm in length are Ericusa fulgetrum and Ericusa sowerbyi.
Biology
Ericusa are nocturnal and prey on invertebrates. They have a large foot and siphon and they lay relatively large solitary eggs.
Taxonomy
Several infraspecific taxa of Ericusa fulgetra have been named, on the basis of colour patterns of the shell.