red snail - Caribbean

Hey folks

I am puzzled by this unusually bright red - and apparently quite common - gastropod snail, this specimens was collected on the Caribbean side of Panama

does anybody know what it is ?

cheers

Art

This shell is probably Risomurex deformis (Reeve), family MURICIDAE, a common synonym is Risomurex schrammi (Crosse).

However, identification is not a 100 % possible because we have no details of the aperture. The knobs from Risomurex deformis varie from white to pink to this bright colour.

Thanks !

I checked in a book on a a gastropod website, it looks indeed like Risomurex deformis

Art

Art,

Muricidae are extremely difficult to photograph with details of the animal in natural position. In this case your photo, even not in natural position, IS important, as most animals of the smaller shells have never been photographed and we know little about their appearance and colours. Congrats.