Dr. Ed Petuch lists and illustrates some 22 species of Siphocypraea in his
1994 "Atlas of Florida Fossil Shells" (Plocene / Pleistocene) which probably
makes it the most comprehensive one-stop source. However, putting a name
on a specimen using this book will keep you busy till the end of your days
and then you will never be sure whether it is cannoni, mulepenensis,
problematica,
griffini, trippeana, transitoria, penningtonorum, parodizi, carolinensis,
floridana,
hughesi, kissimmeensis, alligator, sarasotaensis, lindae (of course),
marilynae,
crocodila, hertweckorum, ketteri, metae, kalafuti, or pilsbry.

Bill F.

----- Original Message -----
From: Nancy Smith <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 1999 12:53 PM
Subject: info on cowrie fossil


> Hi folks,
>
> Question for you fossil folks; this weekend I purchased my first fossil
> (geez I hope this isn't as addicitve as modern gastropods...)  at what I
> believe to be a reputable dealer.   I searched online for information
> however have not found too much as yet.  I was wondering if anyone might
> shed some light on my new addition.
>
> It is identified as Siphocypraea problematica, Heilprin, 1887.  It's 50.7
> mms long and retains a pale yellowish tan dorsum with some vague
> spotting.   The teeth and siphons are entirely intact and it's really
> lovely, even has some very slight gloss remaining.  It's locality data is
> from the Cochran pit, LaBelle, FL in the middle Caloosahatchee
> beds.  Pliocene period, "2 1/2 million years old".   Washed from pit
> wall.   It is also noted as extinct.   The posterior siphon is curled over
> upon itself in a "pig tail" configuration; very graceful and beautiful
> lines, and certainly more extensive an opening posteriorly than any modern
> Cypraea I have seen.
>
> Are there any modern "relatives" to this species?  This is my first
> encounter with fossils of any kind and I'm becoming quite
> interested...    any information at all would be great.   Was this a deep
> water species, coral, rock...?  Are there books for identification of
> fossil species such as the "Compendium" is for modern shells?     Have
many
> Cypraea fossils been identified formally?   Information on where I might
go
> to search for myself in south Florida would be a bonus but I have heard
> that these types of places are not open to the public...
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Nancy Smith
> Sunrise FL soon to be Boynton Beach FL :)