Reticulated Cowrie

Mauritia maculifera

Mauritia maculifera is a species of cowry with shells that typically measure between 44 to 54 millimeters in length, though they can range from 30 to 89 millimeters. The shells are smooth and shiny, featuring a dark brown dorsum adorned with large bluish dots and brown spots along the edges. The base of the shell is usually white or pale brown, and it has a long, narrow aperture with several dark brown teeth. A distinctive brown columellar spot helps to identify this species. When alive, the mantle is transparent and covered with blue sensorial papillae, often obscuring the shell entirely. This species is found in tropical regions of the Indian Ocean, particularly around Chagos and the Seychelles, as well as in the Pacific Ocean from Southeast Asia to Hawaii. They inhabit shallow waters, typically under rocks or coral reefs, at depths ranging from 1 to 15 meters, and prefer areas that are dark, as they are known to feed primarily at dusk on sponges and coral polyps. Mauritia maculifera reproduces through a process where embryos develop into planktonic trocophore larvae before maturing into adults. Encountering this cowrie while diving can be intriguing, as they blend well with their surroundings and may be observed feeding or resting under coral or rock structures. Conservation status for this species is not evaluated, but they are considered common in their habitats.