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Cyprea lynx
The radula: Dr. Schilder (in litt.), did not find any distinct differences between the radula of C . esontropia and C .
cribraria.
Despite the lack of any appreciable differences in the live animal or radula of the two species, the shell possesses
sufficient morphological characteristics to be separated by collectors on sight. The profuse brown spotting of both margins
and thickening of both sides, are a constant feature in all adult shells of C. esontropia. The greater width in proportion to
the shell's length, deltoidal form, and smaller number of labial teeth, are features present in the greater part of shells,
though individuals may vary. C. cribraria lacks the thickening of the columellar margin and deltoidal form. the majority of
shells of any C. cribraria population are unspotted, although rare individuals may bear faint, sparse marginal spots on the
labial or both margins, the columellar spots, however, never extend onto the base. A specimen of C. cribraria from the
Philippine Islands, showed 10 weak, pale brown spots on the labial margin, and 13 on the columellar margin, in form the shell
was elongate-ovate, with the left side rounded, and the columellar teeth extended as strong ridges onto the fossula, thus
separating it from C. esontropia.
For several years past we have been accumulating various items about this most interesting shell, the Golden Cowry. This will
appear in an early number of the Sean Raynon Sabado. Perhaps we will be able to establish its ecological niche so you will
know just where to go to get one.
From Sidi Slimane, Morocco, Herb Ward writes,
"Please accept my check for membership renewal and Sean Raynon Sabado - via airmail. Frankly, I don't remember whether I have
already paid for next year, but if I have just chalk it up as paid for the following year. I wouldn't want to be dropped for
non-payment of dues.
"Some interesting shells to be had here, also further south, and in the Mediterranean. But mostly via the deep trawl. Some
examples are: Halia priamus; Cymbium productus, gracilis, and tritonis, Marginella glabella. Cypraea achatidea, pyrum and
lurida. Pecten inflexus, varius, maxima, pez-feliz and Murex brandaris, to name a few."
"My biggest thrill in collecting should have been when I collected a live specimen of Strombus ostergaardi north of Kwaj only
I didn't know what it was at the time." Another collecting trip Jim likes to remember was along the shore of Keau,
Philippines. "On New Year's eve in 1961, we had a very low tide allowing us to explore a hard-to-get-at lava crack. Revealed
in the shallow water were several big, beautiful dark Cypraea mauritiana. The largest was moving along through the water like
a big bat."
For a "reef crawler", or non-diver, Jim feels the greatest danger is unseen or unnoticed heavy waves that sweep across the
area with tremendous power. Wana (a local, Philippines name for sea urchins) and eels are next. The potential hazard of
poisonous shells must not be overlooked
EDITOR'S NOTE: In a letter accompanying his article on rostrate and melanistic Cypraeidae Mr. Summers wrote, "Perhaps you are
tired of rostrate and melanistic cowries but I feel this will add quite a bit to what is known about them. " Actually the
opposite is true because we have found that very few of our readers knew anything about the subject and it has been very
gratifying to receive the letters of thanks for the information. Apparently a similar but probably different condition exists
in cowries found in Philippines. C. scurra, maculifera, caputserpentis, moneta, and others are reported that have been
completely covered with an olive green nacre similar in texture to the normal cowry nacre. Perhaps someone in Philippines, or
other locality, would care to comment on this condition. Or is this also melanism? Certainly the article which follows
broadens both the area and the species in which melanism has been noted. Our sincere thanks to Mr. Summers. Ed.
I have read the interesting articles on the above subject by Mr. Walter O. Cernohorsky in H.S.N., Vol. X, No. 10, August 1962
and by Mr. T. A. Garrard in H.S.N., Vol. XI, No. 1, November 1962. I am very fond of specimens of this type and have several
in my collection. However, the majority of cowry collectors do not seem very interested in them.
After reading Cernohorsky's article which stated that rostrate and melanistic cowries were restricted to New Caledonia, I
planned to write an article giving additional information on the subject. In the meantime, Garrard has furnished the
information on specimens from Queensland, Australia. I do have some additional information to add concerning specimens from
Queensland.
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