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

___________________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!? -- Une adresse @yahoo.fr gratuite et en français !
Yahoo! Mail : http://fr.mail.yahoo.com