Monoplex pilearis, the hairy triton, is a species of medium-sized predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cymatiidae.
Distribution This species is widespread in the Atlantic, in the Red Sea and in the Indo-Western Pacific from East and South Africa, to eastern Polynesia, north to southern Japan and Hawaii and south to southern Queensland.Hardy's Internet Guide to Marine GastropodsGalli C.: WMSDB - Worldwide Mollusc Species Data BaseSea Life Base
(Monoplex martinianus) This marine species occurs from Florida in the United States to Brazil, Bermudas, Canary Islands, Liberia to Gabon, and Ascension Island.
Habitat This tropical benthic sea snails can be found at a depth range of 0 – 50 m. They mainly live on hard and coarse detritic bottoms, in coral reef areas.
Description Shells of Monoplex pilearis can reach a size of . These large shells are elongate with a tall spire and a strongly inflated body whorl. They show a yellowish-brown surface with chestnut- brown spiral ribs. The columella and the aperture are dark brown with white teeth.Angeline Myra Keen Sea Shells of Tropical West America: Marine Mollusks from Baja California to Peru The outer sculpture is relatively fine, with long inner ridges of the outer lip, extending deep into the aperture.Cymatium pileare at FAO.org
Biology These sea snails are active predators. They are reported as feeding on bivalves. Eggs are laid on the substrate in large capsules clustered in masses.
References
Gofas, S.; Le Renard, J.; Bouchet, P. (2001). Mollusca. in: Costello, M.J. et al. (eds), European Register of Marine Species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Patrimoines Naturels. 50: 180-213 Beu, A. (2010). Catalogue of Tonnoidea
External links
d'Orbigny A. (1841-1853). Mollusques. In: R. de la Sagra (ed.). Histoire physique, politique et naturelle de l'Ile de Cuba. Arthus Bertrand, Paris. Vol 1: 1-264 pp. 1-240, pls 1-10?, 1841; 241-264, 1842; Vol. 2: 1-380 [pp. 1–112, pls 10-21?, 1842; 113-128, 1844; 129-224, pls 22-25?, 1847; 225-380, pls 26-28, 1853] Adams, C. B. 1850. Description of supposed new species of marine shells which inhabit Jamaica. Contributions to Conchology, 4: 56-68, 109-123 Rosenberg, G.; Moretzsohn, F.; García, E. F. (2009). Gastropoda (Mollusca) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 579–699 in: Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas Calkins W.W. (1878). Catalogue of the marine shells of Florida, with notes and descriptions of several new species. Proceedings of the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences. 2: 232-252, 357 Gastropods.com: Monoplex pilearis