Webbed Murex Shell, Purpurellus pinniger

Webbed Murex Shell, Purpurellus pinniger. Shell collected off the beach of Punta Chivato, Baja California Sur, May 2023. Size: 6.5 cm (2.5 inches) x 3.1 cm (1.2 inches).  Collection and photographs courtesy of Colin Campbell, DVM, Punta Chivato. Identification courtesy of Dr. Hank Chaney, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara, California.

Webbed Murex Shell, Purpurellus pinniger.  Shell snagged with yo-yo iron out of 100-foot water off Point Palmilla, Baja California Sur, May 2021. Size: 6.3 cm (2.5 inches) x 3.6 cm (1.4 inches).

Webbed Murex Shell, Purpurellus pinniger. Shell collected off the beach of Punta Chivato, Baja California Sur, May 2023. Size: 5.6 cm (2.2 inches) x 2.8 cm (1.1 inches). Collection and photographs courtesy of Colin Campbell, DVM, Punta Chivato.  Identification courtesy of Dr. Hank Chaney, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara, California.

Webbed Murexes are found in rubble, and occasionally, on sand. They live subtidally and to depths up to 82 m (270 feet). They range from the central Gulf of California, Bahía de los Ángeles, Baja California, south to Ecuador. They are not known to the west coast of the Baja Peninsula.

The Webbed Murex, Purpurellus pinniger (Broderip, 1833), is a gastropod mollusk that is a member of the Muricidae Family of Rocks. They are  also known as the Pinniger Murex and in Mexico as as Murex Palmeado. These medium sized murexes consist of around four or five whorls. They derive their common name from the webbed fronds, or wings, that comprise the varices. The outside edges of the varices are wavy. They are triangular in shape with three composed of three similar sized sides. The aperture is oval shaped. The canal is closed most of its length. These beautiful shells may be whitish, pink, lavender, or all three colors, with varying numbers of brown bands. These shells are highly sought after by collectors. Webbed Murexes reach a maximum of 8.5 cm (3.3 inches) in length and 4.9 cm (1.9 inches) in height..

Webbed Murexes are found in rubble, and occasionally, on sand. They live subtidally and to depths up to 82 m (270 feet). They range from the central Gulf of California, Bahía de los Ángeles, Baja California, south to Ecuador. They are not known to the west coast of the Baja Peninsula.

Synonyms for this species include: Centrifuga inezana, Murex cristatus, Murex osseus, Murex pinniger, and Pterynotus pinniger.