Joan,
Mauritia histrio inhabits the Indian Ocean. Recently it is reported from
Vietnam too but this new information should be confirmed in the future. M.
histrio can sometimes be confused with M. arabica, M. depressa, and M.
maculifera;  with some experience these species can be easily separated,
especially when one knows the main diagnostic shell characters of these
species.
Best regards
Eduard Heiman

----- Original Message -----
From: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 3:19 PM
Subject: Re: little cowrie


>> Does C. histrio range into the Marshalls to your knowledge?
>>
>> David
>
> I have always believed I have a few histrio I picked up while we were on
> Kwajalein in the early 80's.  My ID may be wrong, but that is what I've
> believed all these years!!
>
> To substantiate this, I quote p. 38 of "A Guide to Shell Collecting in the
> Kwajalein Atoll" by F. B. Brost and R. D. Coale, copyright 1971 (my copy
> is
> the third printing, 1981)
>
> "Cypraea histrio (Gmeliln) Size:  1 1/2 - 2 1/2" Rarity: 3 (on a scale of
> 1
> to 6)
>
> Cypraea histrio has been called C. maculifera, C. reticulata, and C.
> maculata by various authors, but C. histrio is the currently accepted
> name.  The background color varies from tan to blue-gray, and the surface
> is covered with solid brown reticulations.  Often a wide brown band cuts
> transversely across the back.  The edges are heavily spotted with black
> and
> brown.  The base is dirty white and the teeth are lined with brown.  A
> dark
> brown blotch is present on the columella and the teeth are extended in
> this
> area.  Reticulated cowries are found on both the ocean and lagoon sides of
> most of the Atoll islands near shore under wave tumbled rocks."
>
> Joan, Huntsville, AL (NASC)
>
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