Special Murex Collection - Sea shell - Hexaplex Cichoreum f

Hexaplex cichoreum f. endivia (Lamarck, 1822) This particular form of Hexaplex cichoreum is distributed in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, with specific reports in the Philippines, Taiwan, the Moluccas archipelago, and the South China Sea. It lives mainly on sandy and rocky bottoms, between 5 and 40 meters of depth, often near coral reefs, where it seeks refuge among algae and corals. Sizes: Range between 50 and 120 mm, with some specimens that can exceed 130 mm. Shape: Solid, fusiform and sturdy, with an elongated profile and thick ribs. Shell sculpture: Displays marked axial ribs, adorned with prominent spines, elongated and curved, a distinctive feature of the endivia form. Coloration: The shell is white-creamy with spines colored dark brown or black, often more evident on the tips of the ribs. Aperture: Wide, oval-shaped, with a smooth interior and color varying from cream to brown. The edge is denticled and slightly thickened. Operculum: Cone-shaped and oval, with dark brown coloration and lighter reflections along the margins. The endivia form was initially described as Murex endivia by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1822, considering it a distinct species. Subsequent studies have determined that it is a morphological variation of Hexaplex cichoreum and not an autonomous species. Today it is recognized as a natural form, appreciated in malacology for its particularly ornamental sculpture. Size: 118 mm

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