DuPetit’s Spindle Shell, Goniofusus dupetitthouarsi

DuPetit’s Spindle Shell, Goniofusus depetethouarsi. Shell provided by the commercial fishermen of the greater Los Cabos area, Baja California Sur, March 2015. Size: 8.7 cm (3.4 inches) x 2.5 cm (1.0 inch).

DuPetit’s Spindle Shell, Goniofusus depetethouarsi. Shell collected off the beach at Punta Chivato, Baja California Sur, December 2021. Size: 17 cm (6.8 inches) x 4.9 cm (2.0 inches). Photograph and Identification courtesy of Colin Campbell, DVM, Punta Chivato, Baja California Sur.

Phylogeny: DuPetit’s Spindle Shell, Goniofusus dupetitthouarsi (Keiner, 1840), is a gastropod mollusk that is a member of the Fasciolariidae Family of Spindle, Horse Conchs and Tulip Shells. The genus Goniofusus is one of sixty-eight genera in this family, and there are seven species in this genus. This species is also known as the Giant Spindle and the Ornamented Spindle. In Mexico they are called Tulipán Blanco.

Description: The DuPetit’s Spindle Shell is spindle-shaped, with a very high spire. They have eight to ten angular whorls with the lower whorls being marked with knobs. The shell is sculpted with coarse lines spiraling along the whorls and short axial ribs forming elongated tubercles on well-marked peripheral cords. They have a large aperture. The siphon canal is widely open, with the distal opening of the canal slightly flaring. Other Spindles in the area have a more sinuous canal. The exterior of the shell is white and they are covered with a yellowish-brown to greenish-brown periostracum. DuPetit’s Spindle Shells reach a maximum of 27.7 cm (10.9 inches) in length and 8.0 cm (3.1 inches) in height.

Habitat and Distribution: DuPetit’s Spindle Shells are found on and within sand and muddy sand substrate. They live in the intertidal zone, and to depths up to 55 m (180 feet). They are a subtropical to tropical Eastern Pacific species. In Mexican waters they range from San Ignacio Bay, Baja California Sur to Guatemala.  They are found throughout the Gulf of California.

Ecology and Behavior: DuPetit’s Spindle 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 Fasciolariidae are predatory carnivores that feed on mollusks, worms, and barnacles. They are gonochoric and reproduce sexually, with internal fertilization. The eggs are laid in protective capsules. There is no mention in the available literature of this species engaging in any types of parasitic, commensal, or symbiotic relationships. From a conservation perspective they have not been formally evaluated however they are fairly common with a relatively wide distribution and should be consider to be of Least Concern.

Synonyms:  Falsifusus dupetitthouarsi, Fusinus dupetitthouarsi, Fusus dupetitthouarsi, and Fusus funiculatus.