About Erronea cylindrica (Born, 1778)
Erronea cylindrica, first described by Born in 1778, is a species of cowrie. The shells of this species reach 15–47 millimetres (0.59–1.85 inches) in length. These cowries have a smooth, shiny surface and a cylindrical overall shape. Their basic coloration is pale brown or greenish, with irregular dark brown patches on the dorsum. Their extremities are also brown, while their lateral margins and flat base are white. They have well-developed mantle and foot, with external antennae. This species lives in warm tropical and subtropical waters, from the intertidal zone down to deep reefs, where it inhabits coral reefs and sandy surfaces. It is often found in the low intertidal zone near reef lines. It avoids light, so during the day it typically hides under reef rocks and in coral caves. It feeds at dawn and dusk, mainly on sponges, algae, small crustaceans, and coral polyps. This species is distributed throughout the tropical Western and Central Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, in seas off Thailand, northwest Australia, the Philippines, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Guam, and Madagascar.
