Hi Cecil,

Yes, your cowry is a juvenile Cypraea (Lyncina if you prefer) lynx.
Not all juveniles of the species look like this, as most are darker
and have some "smears" across the dorsum.  However, this is
one of the uncommon forms I find, and the tooth development is
always at about the same point when they have this coloration
and pattern.  I occasionally find an adult that is similar, but with
more lateral spotting and slightly darker dorsal spotting.  The ones
like your specimen are always thin-shelled and are just forming
teeth on both sides of the aperture.  They usually look more inflated
than yours, though.

Cheers,



Don

----------
> From: Cecil Bankston <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Identity of a Cypraea
> Date: Thursday, April 27, 2000 3:58 AM
>
> I collected a Cypraea at Ifaty, Madagascar.  I think it's lynx, but its
> color and pattern are not like any other lynx I have seen.  I would
> appreciate any opinions from the cowry experts on the list.  Please view
> the shell at my fledgling web page:
> http://members.home.net/cbankston/index.htm
> Click the Shell Images link.  You can leave comments in the guestbook or
> e-mail me, using the mailto link.
> --
> Cecil N. Bankston
> Baton Rouge, LA USA