Staphylaea staphylaea

Lore & Background

The shell of Staphylaea staphylaea is oval, with a pale greyish dorsum marked by a thin longitudinal line and many small round protuberances, along with two brown areas at the extremities. The base is pale brown, and small teeth extend to both sides of the entire base. In living specimens, the transparent mantle has an orange coloration with long finger-like projections. This species is distributed across the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean (including Aldabra, Chagos, the Comores, the East Coast of South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, the Mascarene Basin, Mauritius, Mozambique, Réunion, the Seychelles, Somalia, South Mozambique, and Tanzania), as well as Polynesia, Australia, and Vanuatu.

Reader's Guide

The stippled cowry is a well-documented species within the family Cypraeidae, recognized for its consistent morphological traits across a wide geographic range. Its shell size varies from 7 to 29 mm, and the presence of a single subspecies, Staphylaea staphylaea laevigata, indicates some regional variation. The species is notable for its distinctive dorsal pattern of protuberances and brown markings, which aid in identification. The orange mantle with finger-like projections is a characteristic feature of living specimens, contributing to its appeal among collectors and researchers. Its distribution spans from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean to Polynesia, Australia, and Vanuatu, reflecting a broad tropical and subtropical range. The species has been referenced in regional studies, such as those covering the East African coast, and is included in comprehensive guides to worldwide cowries.

Did You Know?

• The shell of Staphylaea staphylaea reaches a size of 7 to 29 mm.
• The living cowry has a transparent orange mantle with long finger-like projections.
• Its distribution includes the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Polynesia, Australia, and Vanuatu.