Neptunea lyrata, also known by the common names New England Neptune, wrinkled whelk, ribbed Neptune, inflated whelk, lyre whelk or lyre Neptune, is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Buccinidae, and is the state shell of Massachusetts. This species consists of several subspecies.
The New England Neptune (Neptunea lyrata decemcostata) was declared the state seashell of Massachusetts in 1987.
Subspecies Neptunea lyrata altispira Neptunea lyrata lyrata Gmelin, 1791 - lyre whelk Neptunea lyrata decemcostata (Say, 1826)Say, T. (1826). "Descriptions of marine shells recently discovered on the coast of the United States". Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 5: 207-221. – wrinkled whelk or New England Neptune – synonyms:Neptunea lyrata decemcostata (Say, 1826). Malacolog Version 4.1.1. A Database of Western Atlantic Marine Mollusca. Accessed 13 December 2009. Chrysodomus decemcostata (Say, 1826); Tritonium decemcostata (Say, 1826); Fusus decemcostatus Say, 1826; Neptunea turnerae Clarke, 1956 Neptunea lyrata turnerae Clarke, 1956
Distribution Neptunea lyrata occurs in the Western Atlantic Ocean, and also off Alaska.
References
External links Neptunea lyrata at National Center for Biotechnology Information website image of Neptunea lyrata decemcostata Photos