I've never really seen a C. aurantium-colored tigris, though I have
seen several with rusty inclusions on the dorsum.  I did find a totally
orange, gem Cypraea arabica living under a hatch panel from a
tuna boat.  It glowed like fire when I hit it with the dive light.  There's
a small pic (that doesn't do it justice) at:

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/pagojoe/vwp?.dir=/Samoan+Shells&.src=ph&.dnm=Ship
wreck+form+Cypraea+arabica.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/pa
gojoe/lst%3f%26.dir=/Samoan%2bShells%26.src=ph%26.view=t

I don't know if that long URL will work, but if not, it's at
http://photos.yahoo.com/pagojoe under "Samoan Shells"

Closest I've come to finding a "golden cowry."

Cheers,


Don

----- Original Message -----
From: "ANDREW SHARPE" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2002 10:15 PM
Subject: Re: Cypraea tigris ID?


Jim,
   I actually have a "golden" specimen of cyp.tigris. where the shell was
usually white, it is true orange like the aurantium. In discussing this
particular shell and showing it to other dealers, the conclusion was that it
has evolved on a rusty wreck or pipe. Quite a interesting shell.

----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Miller
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2002 7:49 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Cypraea tigris ID?

Just as a somewhat related anecdote: Back in the 1960s, I was rummaging
through a huge box of Cyprae tigris at a Miami shell shop when at the very
bottom I saw an orange shell. I dug it out and was astounded to see that it
was a golden cowrie. Not believing my eyes (and stupidly) I said to the
owner: "This can't be a tigris . . ." and he said "Oh yes, sometimes they
come in unusual colors." I wasn't about to argue. This price of the shell?
25 cents.

Best regards from cold, nasty Tallahassee (in the 20s tonight!),
Jim



Jim Miller
Tallahassee, Florida
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