Hey Dave,

It's probably depressa, although some arabica
specimens can be that small and have similar
patterns.  If it's arabica, the dorsum will still be
considerably taller than if it's depressa, and a
bit taller than if it's a dwarf maculifera.  Some
of the western Pacific maculifera shells have
only a trace of a dark smear on the base where
the black blotch should be, and the overall color
isn't nearly as dark as the ones from Hawaii.

Cheers,


Don

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Dayle" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 12:52 PM
Subject: Re: little cowrie


> Hi, Dave.
>
> It could be a C. histrio, some are that small. These tend to be more
> slender in
> outline when viewed from above. Or,...
>
> It may be a C. depressa. These also get that small AND look like a C.
> maculifera.
>
> Got an image to share? That may answer the question?
>
> Aloha,
>
> Bob Dayle
>
>
> Quoting David Kirsh <[log in to unmask]>:
>
>> Cowrie-lovers,
>>
>> I found a cowrie whose dorsum looks a lot like a Cypraea maculifera
>> from the same spot on Majuro in the Marshall Islands.
>>
>> But two differences are immediately apparent. There's no dark blotch
>> near the aperture and it's only 2.5cm in length. (The maculifera is
>> 4.5cm).
>>
>> Isn't 2.5cm rather small for C. arabica?
>>
>> David Kirsh
>> Durham, NC
>>
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