Conus vimineus Reeve 1849

57. Conus vimineus Reeve, 1849 (Figure 58)

Conus vimineus Reeve, 1849: pl. 7, sp. 269 (type, BMNH (29 x 10.5 mm); " Cagayan, Island of Mindanao, Philippines ").

Material examined: MBMCS 157, 1 specimen, SL 36 mm; SW 12 mm.

Description. Shell moderately small, light and fragile, elongate. Body whorl narrowly conical, outline convex adapically, straight below. Entire body whorl with deep, axially striate spiral grooves separating regularly spaced ribs near base and variably arranged ribs and narrow ribbons above; elevations of ribs smooth. Shoulder broadly rounded, not distinct from spire. Spire moderately high, sharply pointed, sides straight. Aperture uniformly narrow, outer lip very thin, strongly sloping below level of shoulder; straight.

Ground colour pale brown. Body whorl with spiral rows of rectangular light brown spots on ribs, fusing into axial streaks that cluster in three indistinct spiral bands below shoulder, above centre and near base. Spire pale brown. Aperture white.

Distribution. Röckel et al. (1995) reported one specimen from Madras.

The specimen reported herein was collected from the trash discard of a fishing-boat at Cuddalore fishing harbour (Table 6). Depth of occurrence and nature of bottom is not known. We presume that C. vimineus most probably inhabits the sandy bottom of Cuddalore.

Remarks. Appears to be a rare species along the TamilNadu Coast.