Alcithoe ostenfeldi belongs to the Alcithoe Larochei Complex, of which it can be considered a subspecies restricted to the northwestern coast of South Island. It differs from the typical species by its much larger size, attenuated axial ribs on the three first post-nuclear whorls only, a protoconch slightly more rounded. Many big larochei larochei are sold as ostenfeldi and the difference are really subtle sometimes.

Alcithoe arabica has three variants only: swainsoni for the poorly sculptured  form, (mostly for the South Island specimens), motutaraensis for the almost unpatterned shells, and depressa for the northernmost specimens of North Island. All these three forms are individual variation, even if these variants are more frequent in some areas.

Alcithoe calva is not a valid species; It is just a smooth form of Alcithoe jaculoides.

Patrice Bail

2 square La Fontaine 75016 Paris

Tel:+33(1)45253330

Fax:+33(1)40501390

Le 23 sept. 08 à 00:36, Greg Curry Sr a écrit :

Hello
Is ALCITHOE ostenfeldi (Iredale,1937) a valid name or is it a form of
A.arabica (Gmelin,1791)?
Thanks
Greg

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