Cypraedia, SWAINSON, 1840

Groves, Lindsey & Squires, Richard L., 2023, Revision of northeast Pacific Paleogene cypraeoidean gastropods, including recognition of three new species: implications for paleobiogeographic distribution and faunal turnover, PaleoBios 40 (10), pp. 1-52 : 34

CYPRAEDIA SWAINSON, 1840

Type Species— Cypraedia cancellata Swainson, 1840 , by original designation [= Cypraea elegans G.B. Sowerby I, 1823 ] (of Swainson, 1840: p. 325), middle Eocene (Lutetian) Cotentin, Manche Department, France.

Diagnosis— Shell small to medium size. Pyriform, with moderate inflation. Spire involute. Sides with spiral ribs crossing similar longitudinal ribs (resulting in cancellate ornamentation), with or without nodes at intersections of ribs. Longitudinal ribs can be obsolete. Aperture narrow, curved posteriorly. Numerous fine teeth on both lips. Fossula very narrow, smooth. Anterior canal can be somewhat elongate (Wenz 1941).

Geologic Range— Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian Age) to middle Oligocene, Europe, eastern Asia, southeastern United States, Caribbean, Ecuador, and México.

Remarks— The common name applied to species of Cypraedia is “reticulated” cowries.