Montagnei Horn Shell, Cerithidae montagnei

Montagnei Horn Shell, Cerithidae montagnei. Shell collected off the beach in the greater Los Cabos area, Baja California Sur, June 2021. Size: 3.0 cm (1.2 inches) x 1.4 cm (0.6 inches).

The Montagnei Horn, Cerithidae montagnei (d’Orbigny, 1841), is a gastropod mollusk that is a member of the Potamididae Family of Horn Shells. They are also known in Mexico as caracol de cuerno. The shell has a narrow cone-shaped profile and consist of ten to fifteen strong convex whorls, with a large round aperture. They lack a siphon canal. The whorls are sculpted with curved, lengthwise, ribs and the base has spiral grooves. The exterior of the shell a glossy chocolate brown color, often with pale bands, running around the whorls; the interior can be white to reddish brown, to dark brown. The Montagnei Horn Shells reach a maximum of 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) in length and 1.8 cm (0.7 inches) in height.

Montagnei Horns are found over and within mud substrate in the intertidal zone. They are often associated with mangroves. They range from San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur to Peru and they are found in the Sea of Cortez, from Santa Rosalia to the greater Cabo San Lucas area, Baja California Sur.

Synonyms are Cerithideopsis montagnei and Cerithium montagnei.