New Shell Species Discovered in Aruban Waters Named Caquetio.
ORANJESTAD - On December 2, malacologist Leo Ros (a scientist who studies mollusks such as snails and mussels) officially presented a letter with information about this newly identified species, now named Caquetio, to Aruba’s Prime Minister Mike Eman.
During the visit, Prime Minister Eman received a signed copy of the publication “The Archaeology of Aruba: The Heritage of Marine Shells.”
Important information was shared on newly documented endemic marine shell species, recently named in honor of the Caquetio—Aruba’s original Indigenous inhabitants.
The following information pertains to the newly described species:
Voluta caquetio Berschauer & Ros, 2025
Distribution:
This species is endemic to the west and south coasts of Aruba, where its natural ecological habitat remains largely preserved.
Ecology:
This marine gastropod occurs in coastal waters at depths between 2 and 9 meters, living on the seabed or beneath corals. It can be found hidden in sand under broken coral or among seagrass beds of Thalassia testudinum (K.D. Koenig, 1805).
Etymology:
The name is dedicated to the Caquetio Indians, the Indigenous population of Aruba and northwestern Venezuela. The Caquetio inhabited Aruba for millennia, with marine shells serving as an essential natural resource integrated into their culture (Dijkhoff & Linville, 2004). The species name is a direct reference to this ancestral community.
“We are pleased that researchers continue to contribute to knowledge and education about marine ecosystems and their biodiversity on the beautiful island of Aruba,” said Leo Ros.
Franchelle Lacle, advisor at the Department of Nature and Environment, also provided a brief explanation of the visit to Prime Minister Eman.
The growing interest in marine ecosystems has led to the discovery of a shell species unique to Aruba, making it endemic to the island.
During a visit in May, Mr. Ros presented a book tracing the history of shell use in our region and archaeological evidence of their significance on the island. It inspired the name of the newly discovered species.