Southwest Florida Shells

by José H. Leal

Family Conidae

Conus anabathrum

(Crosse, 1865)

Florida Cone

Shell size to 54 mm; shell smooth, conical. Spire elevated. Aperture long and narrow with posterior notch. Parietal region with weak spiral lines. Color cream with broad reddish-brown spiral bands and darker brown spots. The eggs cases are elongated, spoon-shaped but tapering at distal end, with frilly edges. The live animal and mass spawning were photographed by Amy Tripp near Marco Island. The final image shows spent cases laid inside a pen shell. the name Conus anabathrum Crosse, 1865 is a junior synonym.