Dear cowry enthusiasts
I am finishing just now a part of a statistical study of variability in
populations of Luria isabella and this is an interesting telepathic
coincidence that a question regarding the Hawaiian populations of the
speciesis is asked.
My conclusion after comparing shell characters of 550 shells from different
areas of the Indo-Pacific region is that Luria isabella controversa is a
valid subspecies restricted to the Hawaiian Islands. I hope to publish the
details of this study soon.
Eduard Heiman
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lyle Therriault" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 12:24 AM
Subject: Re: Cypraea isabella "controversa"


> John,
>
> some specialists consider this to be a true subspecies....and there are
> some collectors who do not.
>
> c. isabella controversa have nearly black terminal ends, from the
> specimens
> I have seen and sold in the past.
>
> Some folks also name this species as c. controversa, and there is another
> "subspecies" called c. isabella controversa atriceps, I've also seen it
> referred to as c. controversa atriceps.
>
> Puzzling, without a doubt. The ones I used to get I just called c.
> isabella
> "form", and I did not name the form I just described it. For instance...>
> C. isabella "form", very slender shell with black terminal ends and dark
> pattern, F++27mm,  Taken from So and So reef, under rock at 15 feet, So
> and
> So Island, Hawaii 2001.  I call them "forms" because they only partly
> resemble a typical isabella.
>
> If people want to name forms as subspecies then we need more scientific
> evidence to support it, I've always had a problem with this since I was
> old
> enough to realize it, it leads to species complexes.....much like in
> cypraea and in conus, the two most prevalent.
>
> Lyle
>
>
>> [Original Message]
>> From: John Jacobs <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Date: 4/23/2006 5:28:17 PM
>> Subject: Cypraea isabella "controversa"
>>
>> Here's something for you Cypraea specialists.  Cypraea (Luria) isabella
>> controversa Gray, 1824 has come to my attention as mostly coming from
>> Hawai'i, but also known from French Polynesia and, perhaps, Easter
>> Island.
>> Is this name considered as a true subspecies or just a form.  C. isabella
> is
>> highly variable in size and form, so I'm just a bit concerned about this
>> name being touted as a subspecies.
>>
>> John
>> John & Cheryl Jacobs
>> Seffner, Florida
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
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