In defense of Hemming & Henning, French Polynesia is considered Western
Pacific when discussing ranges.
The two species are distinct according to Alan Beu's 1998 monograph.
Cymatium gemmatum is restricted to the western Pacific while C. mundum
ranges from the Indo-West Pacific to Hawaii and the Galapagos as well as the
western Atlantic.
In general, C. mundum is cream to white in color with heavier sculpture and
wider and thicker varices that C. gemmatum. According to Beu, both species
are correctly named and figured by Springsteen & Leobrera in their Shells of
the Philippines.
dick p.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
[log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs
To leave this list, click on the following web link:
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1
Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and
click leave the list.
----------------------------------------------------------------------