About Muricanthus nigritus (R.A.Philippi, 1845)
Muricanthus nigritus (published by R. A. Philippi in 1845) is a species of sea snail, commonly called the black murex shell. Adult shells of this species are between 75 and 200 millimetres (3.0 to 7.9 inches) long. These large shells have a black and white base color with black or dark brown stripes. Short spikes grow on the shell surface around the body whorl and spire. The aperture of the shell is porcelaneous white. This species is very similar to Hexaplex radix. The shells of the two species differ primarily in overall length, width, and the ratio of black to white coloring on the shell. Additionally, Muricanthus nigritus shells are more oblong in shape and have more black-colored spines than Hexaplex radix shells. This species is commonly found in the Gulf of California, also called the Sea of Cortez, in western Mexico. These sea snails live in intertidal and subtidal waters with sand and gravel substrate, found at depths up to 60 meters.
