Conus (Floraconus)

The Tucker & Tenorio 2009 taxonomy distinguishes Floraconus from Conus in the following ways: • Genus Conus sensu stricto Linnaeus, 1758 :: Shell characters (living and fossil species) :::The basic shell shape is conical to elongated conical, has a deep anal notch on the shoulder, a smooth periostracum and a small operculum. The shoulder of the shell is usually nodulose and the protoconch is usually multispiral. Markings often include the presence of tents except for black or white color variants, with the absence of spiral lines of minute tents and textile bars. ::Radular tooth (not known for fossil species) :::The radula has an elongated anterior section with serrations and a large exposed terminating cusp, a non-obvious waist, blade is either small or absent and has a short barb, and lacks a basal spur. ::Geographical distribution :::These species are found in the Indo-Pacific region. ::Feeding habits :::These species eat other gastropods including cones. • Subgenus Floraconus Iredale, 1930 ::Shell characters (living and fossil species) :::The shell is turgid to conical in shape. The protoconch is paucispiral, and the spire whorl tops have cords. Nodules are either absent or die out in early whorls. The dentiform plait may be small or absent. The anal notch is shallow, and the anterior notch is slight or absent. The periostracum may be smooth or tufted, and the operculum is moderate to small. ::Radular tooth (not known for fossil species) :::The anterior section of the radular tooth may be equal to or slightly longer than the posterior section. The blade is short to moderate extending about one-third to one-half the length of the anterior section. The basal spur is present, and the barb is short. The radular tooth has a single row of serrations. ::Geographical distribution :::The species in this genus are endemic to Australia. ::Feeding habits :::These cone snails are vermivorous (meaning that the cones prey on marine worms) feeding upon polychaete worms. ==Species list==