About Naria poraria (Linnaeus, 1758)
Naria poraria is a fairly common species of cowrie. On average, the shells of this species grow 16–19 millimetres (0.63–0.75 in) long, with a minimum recorded length of 10 millimetres (0.39 in) and a maximum recorded length of 28 millimetres (1.1 in). The shell surface is smooth and shiny. Shell color usually ranges from pale brown to dark brown, and is marked with many small yellowish spots. The base and margins of the shell are purple, which gives the species its common name, while the shell's teeth are typically white. In living Naria poraria, the mantle is bright red or purplish, and bears fairly long, slightly tree-shaped sensory papillae. The lateral flaps of the mantle can completely cover the shell surface, and can be quickly retracted back into the shell opening. Naria poraria is very similar in appearance to Naria albuginosa; however, Naria albuginosa has a paler purple base color than Naria poraria. This species is widely distributed across most of the Indo-Pacific region. Its range includes East Africa (specifically Somalia, Aldabra, Kenya, Tanzania, the Mascarene Basin, Mauritius, and Réunion), the broader Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean (specifically Chagos, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, New South Wales, New Caledonia, the Philippines, Samar Island, Polynesia, the Marshall Islands, and Hawaii). Naria poraria inhabits shallow intertidal tropical reef environments, mostly found at depths between 3–10 metres (9.8–32.8 ft). It is most commonly found growing on dead corals, under large rocks, or inside caves.
