Chicoreus Ramosus The Largest Muricids in the Mollusk Kingdom - Height: 225 mm - Width: 169 mm- 863 g

Chicoreus Ramosus is one of the largest muricids in the mollusk kingdom. Characterized by a robust, heavy, and extraordinarily sculptured shell, it features three prominent spiral series of spiny varices, giving the specimen a nearly baroque appearance. The spires are adorned with lamellae and expanded, often branched processes, from which the name ramosus derives. The dominant color is cream white, with subtle pinkish hues inside the aperture and at the junctions between the varices. The mouth is broad, oval, shiny, and porcelain-like, with delicately wavy margins. The shell's apex tends to be truncated in adult specimens. The varices, often jagged and elongated, vary in shape and development depending on the locality and individual, making each specimen unique. The ornamentation serves for camouflage and protection against predators. Traditionally used in some local cultures as an ornamental object or rudimentary musical instrument. The specimen presented stands out for its preservation, intact development of the varices, pastel interior coloration, and significant size, making it a highly impactful collector's piece. Ideal for natural history exhibitions, museum displays, or refined private collections.

Chicoreus Ramosus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common name: Branched Murice, Ramose murex
Family: Muricidae
Order: Neogastropoda
Class: Gastropoda
Phylum: Mollusca
Kingdom: Animalia