Timothy,

L. Raybaudi reported in 1979 finding of several leucodon shells, which
differ from the shells found in the Pacific Ocean in their columellar teeth
and several other shell characters, and proposed to reserve the name
leucodon leucodon for the Indian Ocean population and the name leucodon
angioyana for the S.W. Pacific population.

F. Lorenz considered the S.W. Pacific population to be a nominotypical one
and described in 1999 a new subspecies Lyncina leucodon tenuidon from the
Indian Ocean. This description is based on three shells found in Maldives
and Somalia.

G. Poppe described a variety of leucodon from the Philippines, which differs
by its smaller size, more globosa shape, and dark olive base color.

So there is an impression today that shells of leucodon in the Indian Ocean
and in the Pacific Ocean differ to a certain degree but it seems to me too
early to decide regarding their taxonomic rank because a conchological
material available for study is too limited. After all, subspecies are
groups of geographically separated populations statistical shell
characteristics of which can be compared.

Best regards

Ed

----- Original Message -----
From: "Timothy Blackwood" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006 10:33 PM
Subject: Concerning Cypraea (Lyncina) leucodon.


> Hello,
>
>     Recently, I began looking into Cypraea (Lyncina) leucodon recently and
> have some questions.
> Going to www.gastropods.com, I've found that there appear to be 3
> subspecies and 1 form included
> under C. (Lyncina) leucodon:
>
> Lyncina leucodon leucodon (Broderip, 1828)
> Size: to 90 mm
> Distribution: East Indian Ocean to Philippines
>
> Lyncina leucodon tenuidon Lorenz, 1999
> Size: 70 mm
> Distribution: Indian Ocean; Maldives
>
> Lyncina leucodon angioyna Raybaudi, 1979
> Size: ?
> Distribution: Philippines
>
> Lyncina leucodon leucodon f. escotoi Poppe, 2004
> Size: 65-85 mm
> Distribution: Philippines
>
> My question is what distinguishes these subspecies and form?  With L.
> leucodon leucodon, L.
> leucodon angioyna, and L. leucodon leucodon f. escotoi all occurring in
> the Philippines, there
> must be habitat characteristics that set them apart.  I've read about L.
> leucodon leucodon and L.
> leucodon tenuidon in Lorenz and Hubert, but I still am somewhat confused.
> Any help you can
> provide will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you in advance and I'll look
> forward to your replies.
> :)
>
> Sincerely,
> Tim Blackwood
>
> Timothy J. Blackwood
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
> Phone: (218)328-6272
> Home Address:
> 120 N.W. 5th Street Apt. #101
> Cohasset, Minnesota, USA 55721
>
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