Purple dye murex [Bolinus brandaris]
Description
The purple dye murex is a species of medium-sized predatory sea snail. It is known for its historical use in producing a highly prized purple dye. The shell is usually 7-9 cm long, with a broadly conical shape and a pointed apex. It is found in the Mediterranean Sea and the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, living on sandy or muddy substrates, from the coastline to a depth of 40 meters. It is a nocturnal predator, feeding mainly on bivalves.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Gastropods
Gastropoda
|
| Order |
Neogastropoda
Neogastropoda
|
| Family |
Murex snails
Muricidae
|
| Genus |
Bolinus
Bolinus
|