Cowrie on Mangrove Root

The Thrush Cowrie (Naria turdus) is a marine snail native to the Indian Ocean which has recently been spreading throughout the Caribbean. It was first discovered in Florida just two years ago in 2022. Since then, this non-native species has rapidly multiplied in South Florida's waters and little is known about the potential consequences. I have been observing the Thrush Cowrie population in the Southern Indian River Lagoon to understand its ecology and potential impacts on native species. They are especially abundant in the mangrove habitats. This was photographed while crawling on a mangrove root.