Melongena melongena

Melongena melongena (Linnaeus, 1758)
West Indian crown conch

photo by Coltro, Marcus

Family:	Melongenidae (Melongenas)
Max. size:	18.2 cm DL (male/unsexed)
Environment:	benthic; marine; depth range 0 - 44 m
Distribution:	Western Central Atlantic.
Diagnosis:	Shell thick, pear-shaped, with large body whorl. Spire short, last few whorls bear single or double rows of spines. Suture deeply channelled. Anterior canal short and broad. Base of shell sometimes with a row of smaller, blunt spines. Colour: purplish brown, light grey, or white, with bluish, brownish or greyish bands.
Biology:	Inhabits coastal lagoons, mangroves, river estuaries, and other low-salinity environments (Ref. 355).
IUCN Red List Status:	Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans:	harmless
Country info:

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