GONÇALVES, P. B.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/6808574789620255; GONÇALVES, Pricila Bento.
Résumé:
Characteristics of the egg masses and morphology of the oothecae of Conus
regius Gmelin, 1791 are described and figured for the first time for the coast of Brazil
based on a female specimen found in the process of oviposition during the day in the state
of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. Two clusters of egg masses were found in the subtidal zone
of Itapuã beach attached to rocky substrate in a completely unprotected site. Oviposition
likely began at least one day earlier, since the specimen had already affixed an entire egg
mass and was ovipositing a second cluster at the time it was found. The egg masses were
arranged in short, irregular rows of three to nine closely spaced capsules in parallel and
facing the same direction. One egg mass cluster consisted of 34 oothecae. Conus regius
capsules are semi-transparent, vasiform in side view, higher than broad and have flattened
to slightly convex sides with slight wrinkles constituted by transversal ridges. Conus regius
is on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, but is still intensively collected in the study
area and surrounding coastal environment by fishermen for the purposes of selling shells
and as a food source.
