Aloha Lyle, I have collected isabella from as far North as Hawaii to Easter Island in the Southern Indo-Pacific & Westerly to Phuket. I feel the larger, heavier, thickly robust Cypraea isabella controversa Gray, 1824 is indeed a valid subspecies. The large orange blotched terminals with infused black is unique. The only other species that have this characteristic is isabellamexicana Stearns, 1893. But the outlined shapes of the 2 species clash. Now isabella atriceps Sch & Sch, 1937 also has this characteristic. But in my humble(?) opinion this is just a male controversa. Males in Hawaiian Cyp's are generally found deeper than females, are more elongated, smaller, & never have been found on eggs. The 1,000's ive seen in my life atest to this fact. Take gaskoini Reeve, 1846. We find huge calloused egg-laying females in 10-30ft. The smaller males, often called gaskoini fisheri Vayssiere, 1910 are 30-180ft. A study may be needed to determine if temperature, food source, or mating practices is the cause for this separation. Might explain why some years certain species become rarer or commoner? CHRIS:) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs To leave this list, click on the following web link: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and click leave the list. ----------------------------------------------------------------------