Thank you,

Now I am more confused than ever.  I got exactly the opposite information
from two other sources.  Look at the following site:
http://www.cypraea.net/aciculariscomparative.htm  and you will see what I
mean.  I also received photos from another individulal with the exact same
information.

Sincerely,
Gladys Fehling
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Ringwald Fabien" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2002 7:44 AM
Subject: Re: Cypraea acicularis santeahelenae, Schilder 1930


> Hello!
>
> I believe that there are only two features that can
> separate acicularis from sanctaehelenae.
> First feature :
> Acicularis aciularis: The marginal pitting is very
> regular all along the margin; with generally a black
> coloration in each depression of the pitting. This is
> always right on the elder specimen and frequently
> visible on younger specimens.
>
> Acicularis sanctaehelenae : the marginal pitting is
> visible only near the extremities, even on the elder
> specimens. No black coloration in the depressions of
> the margins.
>
> Second feature :
> The spots all along the margins are regularly arranged
> along the margins, in the ac. ac. case, but they are
> randomly arranged on the margins of ac. Sthelenae.
>
> I would like to stress on one point : the coloration
> of the dorsum is absolutely not a constant feature.
> This year, I found ten specimens in Martinique Island
> which were really dark (nearly brown dorsum) and not
> yellow at all. This almost depends of the biotope in
> which a population of cowries lives.
> Sincerely
>
>                Fabien
>
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