Description
Leporicypraea mappa (previously known as Cypraea mappa), common name the map cowry, is a species of large sea snail, a cowry, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.
This is considered an economically important species in the Indo-West Pacific, where it is usually collected both for food and for shell trading.
The map cowry was named on the basis of its distinct color pattern, because of the longitudinal lines and the easily distinguishable and sinuous mantle groove, which creates a resemblance to ancient maps.
![[H.] Milne Edwards - Le règne animal distribué d'après son organisation - 1840](https://www.naturalhistorycuriosities.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sized_IMG_4037-e1540136731416-300x300.jpg)
