A while ago when we were talking about hybrids, there were private
questions about what future work was being done on Cypraea DNA.
 
At the HMS meeting last night, Fabio Moretzohn recounted his Phd work on
Cypraea at the University of Hawaii, which includes DNA, conchological,
and anatomical data on species being compared.  He is specializing on
the Cribraria group, but has also included other species as the
opportunity permits.  So some DNA influenced taxonomy will be
forthcomming.  He tells me that DNA in Cypraea moneta and C. annulus
from a number of areas appears to be quite constant.
 
We would like to get a preserved specimen of C. obvelata, with
observations (preferably photos) of the mantle of the specimen.  The
mantle is supposed to be considerably different from that of C. annulus.
 
For the time being, I am using the genus Cypraea rather than Schilder's
genera so that more people will know that species I am talking about,
although a slightly revised set of Schilder's genera will probably come
into accepted general use.  One problem with this is that a typical
shell collector doesn't necessarily have a good reason for the
groupings, as the radula and animal are not available.
 
Aloha,
 
Wes
 
Aloha,