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Tonna cumingii

Tonna cumingi, common name Cuming's tun, is a species of very large sea snail, a tun snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Tonnidae, the tuns.

Taxonomy

The species currently referred to as Tonna cumingii <small>(Hanley in Reeve, 1849)</small> has been referred to as:

  • Tonna canaliculata <small>(Linnaeus, 1758)</small> by Thach (2005:91, pl. 23, fig. 5)
  • Tonna cumingii <small>'Reeve'</small> by (a. o.) Hedley (1919:331); Winckworth & Tomlin (1933:209); Hinton (1977:26); Powell (1979:161); Kilburn (1986:4); Thach (2005:91)

The species currently referred to as Tonna chinensis <small>(Dillwyn, 1817)</small> was referred to as Tonna cumingii <small>(Hanley in Reeve, 1849)</small> by Springsteen & Leobrera (1986:100, pl. 26, fig. 2)

The species currently referred to as Tonna poppei <small>Vos, 2005</small> was illustrated by Cernohorsky (1972:111); Hinton (1974:19, fig. 7; 1977:26 fig. 7a) and referred to as Tonna cumingii <small>'Reeve'</small>

The species currently referred to as Tonna deshayesii <small>(Reeve, 1849)</small> was referred to as Tonna cumingii <small>'Reeve'</small> by (a. o.) Powell (1979:61); Cernohorsky (1972:112)

Additional information on Cernohorsky (1972:111-112): Whilst showing specimens of Tonna poppei <small>Vos, 2005</small> on pl. 30, figs 5, Cernohorsky lists this species as Tonna cumingii <small>(Reeve, 1849)</small>, with in synonymy: "Synonyms of T. cumingii are deshayesii Reeve, 1849, perselecta Iredale, 1931, and maoria Powell, 1938. Tonna magnifica <small>(Sowerby III 1904)</small> belongs either to T. cumingii or T. chinensis " (fide Cernohorsy, 1972:112)

Distribution

This species is found often off the southern coasts of India and Sri Lanka. Populations of animals with similar-looking shells from New Zealand and Australian waters have been assimilated into this species. Occasional records indicate a possible presence of the species in Philippine waters. Further study on this species should reveal its exact distribution. (Reference: Vos, 2007, A Conchological Iconography - Family Tonnidae)

Shell description

The shell height is up to 91&nbsp;mm, and width up to 66&nbsp;mm.

(Original description) The shell is globosely ovate, thin, and ventricose, and it is distinctly umbilicated. It consists of seven whorls, which are transversely covered with numerous ribs; these ribs are somewhat flattened and closely set, while the interstices are marked by linear grooves. The columella is slightly twisted, and the lip is simple. The coloration is a fulvous chestnut, peculiarly clouded in a banded pattern with brown and white spots.

References

  • Chris Vos and Alan Beu, 2007, A Conchological Iconography 13: The Family Tonnidae, ConchBooks,
  • Spencer, H.G., Marshall, B.A. & Willan, R.C. (2009). Checklist of New Zealand living Mollusca. Pp 196-219. in: Gordon, D.P. (ed.) New Zealand inventory of biodiversity. Volume one. Kingdom Animalia: Radiata, Lophotrochozoa, Deuterostomia. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch.
  • Cernohorsky, W. O. (1972). Marine Shells of the Pacific. Vol. II. Pacific Publications, Sydney, 411 pp.
  • Steyn, D. G. & Lussi, M. (2005). Offshore shells of southern Africa: A pictorial guide to more than 750 gastropods. Published by the authors. pp. i–vi, 1–289.

External links