Hi Nancy,
I've found specimens of Cypraea eglantina (and my only specimen of
Cypraea arabica) that take on this coloration.
Presuming it is related to iron from nearby rusty metals.
Bob Abela
Tamuning, Guam
http://www.guamcell.net/~babela/bobsguamshells/
-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Nancy Smith
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 7:36 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Cypraea coloring question number one.
I ran across this today (on Ebay, gawd-forbid) and was taken by the
coloring. Would anyone know why or what might have caused this copper
coloration on this C. mauritiana? Thanks. :)
http://www.nansaidh.us/shells/copper.jpg
Nancy