Spiny Murex

The Spiny Murex, Murex brandaris, is also known as the Dye Murex, because its gland secretes a purplish color that can be made into a dye. In ancient times this dye supported such an important industry that Kythera was once called Porphyroussa, meaning "Purple Island." The beautiful murex pictured is 7.5 cm long, and shows the creamy, glossy yellow coating inside its aperture. Photograph © James Prineas, 2003