Ferguson’s Cone Shell, Conus fergusoni

Ferguson’s Cone Shell, Conus fergusoni. Shell collected off the beach in the greater Cabo San Lucas area, Baja California Sur, November 2011. Size: 2.2 cm (0.9 inches) x 1.5 cm (0.6 inches).

Phylogeny: Ferguson’s Cone Shell, Conus fergusoni (G.B. Sowerby II, 1873),  is a gastropod mollusk that is a member of the Conidae Family of Cone Shells. The genus Conus is one of eight genera in this family, and there are eight hundred ten species in this genus. They are  also known as the Giant Cone and Ferguson’s Giant Cone and in Mexcio as Cono Gigantea.

Description: The Ferguson’s Cone Shell is cone-shaped, with a low, but pointy, spire. Younger specimens are yellowish to orange in color, with white banding. As these shells mature they lose their color and become mostly all-white. The aperture is generally white, but some color may show through in younger specimens. They are often covered with a thick, velvety, periostracum. Ferguson’s Cone Shell is one of the one of the larger Baja Cones, reaching a maximum of 16.0 cm (6.3 inches) in length and 10.9 cm (4.3 inches) in height.

Habitat and Distribution: Ferguson’s Cone Shells are found over, and within, sand substate. They live in the intertidal zone, and to depths of 212 m (540 feet). They are a subtropical to tropical Eastern Pacific species. In Mexican waters they range from Bahia Tortugas, Baja California Sur to Guatemala, including the Gulf of California.

Ecology and Behavior: Ferguson’s Cone Shells are a poorly studied and understood species. There is very limited documentation of their diet, predation, reproduction or ecosystem interactions. Other species in Family Conidae are predators that feed primarily on worms, mollusks, and fish.  They are gonochoric and reproduce sexually, with internal fertilization. There is no mention in the available literature of them engaging in any types of parasitic, commensal, or symbiotic relationships. From a conservation perspective the IUCN Red List considers Ferguson’s Cone Shells to be of Least Concern.

Synonyms: Conus (Pyruconus) fergusoni, Conus consanguineous, Conus fulvocintus and Pyruconus fergusoni.