Naria ocellata, common name the ocellate cowry, is a species of sea snail, a cowry, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.
Description The shells of these quite uncommon cowries reach on average of length, with a minimum size of and a maximum size of . They are oval and have a medium thickness. The dorsum surface of these smooth and shiny shells has generally a fawn or cream color and it is spread with numerous white spots, a few of them with a black centre (hence the Latin name ocellata meaning "eyed"). The base is whitish and often has a brown blotch, while the pronounced margins show various fawn spots on a pale background. In the living cowries mantle and foot are well developed.
Distribution This species occurs in the northern Indian Ocean (see range map) on the coasts of Mozambique, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, southern India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, up to Thailand, southern Java and Melanesia.
Habitat Naria ocellata lives in tropical and subtropical zones, from shallow intertidal water up to depth, feeding on algae or coral polyps.
References
MacNae, W. & M. Kalk (eds) (1958). A natural history of Inhaca Island, Mozambique. Witwatersrand Univ. Press, Johannesburg Felix Lorenz 18.02.2004 - Ocellata F.A. Schildler – The size of Erosaria Ocellata - November.1 968 - HAWAIIAN SHELL NEWS Lorenz F. & Hubert A. - A guide to worldwide cowries. Edition 2. Hackenheim: Conchbooks. 584 pp
External links Gastropods.com : Naria ocellata : photos Flmnh WoRMS