Phalium areola (Linnaeus, 1758)
Checkerboard bonnet
photo by Coltro, Marcus

Family:  Cassidae (helmet and bonnet shells)
Max. size:  12 cm SHL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthic; marine; depth range 0 - 7 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: from East and South Africa, to Melanesia and Samoa islands; north to Japan and south to New South Wales and New Caledonia.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Also found in shallow subtidal waters (Ref. 349). Feeds on sand dollars (Ref. 799).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 

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