----- Original Message -----
From: "mienis" <[log in to unmask]>
To: "Conchologists of America List" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2003 7:05 AM
Subject: Re: Status of Strombus (Euprotomus) aurora?


Dear Timothy,

E. aurora Kronenberg, 2002 is also living in the Red Sea. If it is a hybrid
between E. auridianae and E. bulla then these species should occur in the
Red Sea too. However, all previous records of either aurisdianae or bulla
from that area (Yaron; Mienis; Heiman; etc.)turned out to have been based on
misidentifications of aurora!
I refer to the original publication for further details:
Kronenberg, G.C., 2002. Revision of Euprotomus Gill, 1970. 3. Description of
Euprotomus aurora spec. nov. from the Indian Ocean (Gastropoda, Strombidae).
Vita Malacologica, 1: 55-60.
Best regards,
Henk K. Mienis

----- Original Message -----
From: "Timothy Blackwood" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Status of Strombus (Euprotomus) aurora?
Hi everyone,
Just recently I received a price list on which were listed specimens of
Strombus (Euprotomus) aurora.  Unfortunately, there were no pictures.  While
browsing through a
number of web sites later I came across the following address that had
several photos of this species:
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/loic.limpalaer/Taurus/Strombidae/page_euprotomus.htm
Several examples of S. aurora were shown, alongside specimens of S.
aurisdianae and S. bulla.  The appearance of the examples of S. aurora
brought to mind what S. aurisdianae would look like if it had the color
typical of S. bulla.  Another site
(http://www.conchology.be) had specimens resembling S. aurora that were
labeled as S. aurisdianae X bulla.  The morphology and distributions were
the same.  Now for my question.  Is S. aurora a distinct and valid species,
or should it be considered a hybrid between aurisdianae and bulla?  Any
assistance you can provide will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.
Sincerely,
Tim Blackwood