The Cassidae Family includes 101 species comprising 2 subfamilies (Cassinae (8 genus), Phaliinae (4))
and 12 genus (Semicassis (33 species), Cassis (12), Casmaria (12), ...)

Phylum      : Mollusca
 Class       : Gastropoda 
  Subclass    : Caenogastropoda 
   Order       : Littorinimorpha 
    Superfamily : Tonnoidea 
     Family      : Cassidae

Common name : helmet hells

Aspect : massive shell of medium to large size with a rather reduced top. The main turn is large and often decorated with buttons and varicose veins. Thick parietal edge with large callus. Common presence of teeth on the inner edge of the lip and collumeal folds. Thick, curved external lip towards the rear, recalling the edge of a helmet. Siphonal canal short, oblique and oriented towards the rear. Operculum

Feeding : sea urchins

Environment : tropical waters, sandy and shallow bottom

Casmaria erinaceus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Subfamily Phaliinae)