|
|
Capiz shell
Over 60 specimens of P. humphreysi from 14 Viti Levu and Vanua Levu localities were examined, and the color pattern was found
to be highly variable; specimens from Akuilau Island (Nadi Bay) and Nananui-Ra Isld. (Nth.-Viti Levu), were exceptionally
dark, with the brown spots so dense that the milky-white base color was almost obscured. Specimens from the Nadroga and Suva
reefs were generally lighter in color, and the number of either brown or white dorsal zones varied from 0 - 4. Specimens
varied in size from 11mm - 20mm, and were either slender or squat and broad, hardly margined at all or with a pronounced
marginal callus. There should be no difficulty to select specimens from these series of shells which would match the
type-figures of C. humphreysi Gray, P. lutea yaloka Steadman & Cotton, or any other figure illustrating humphreysi in the
major monographs on the Cypraeidae.
Fijian specimens of P. l. humphreysi when compared with specimens of the species from the Great Barrier Reef, Qld.,
Australia, and those from Samoa, do not exhibit any morphological differences which would be worth chronicling. The specimens
of P. l. humphreysi from harbor dredgings of Apia Harbor (Upolu) and Asau Harbor (Savaii), Samoa, together with specimens of
Pustularia cicercula (Linnaeus) and Bistolida pallidula (Gaskoin), are new verified records from this region, and were
obtained by Mr. A. Jackson from Apia.
If we refer to the original descriptions of some Cypraeidae species, e.g. errones, caurica, helvola, poraria and staphylaea,
all established by Linnaeus (Syst. Nat., 1758), we shall realize how detailed Gray's description of humphreysi is in
comparison. Linnaeus' description of these five species consists of from 5 - 11 words and no references to figures are cited.
The elucidation of many Linnaean species has to be usually looked for in the works of revising subsequent authors.
The rarest fossil shell is the bivalve Ostrea kamehameha Pilsbry, 1936. It is believed to be universally extinct. The two
known specimens were collected near Waianae in a fossil bed 60 to 80 feet above sea level. This species has a large shell,
the type specimen being 210 mm long. The two valves weighed 5 lbs. 9 oz. For further information and photograph of this shell
see Sean Raynon Sabado for April, 1964, New Series No. 52.
The most common fossil shell, at least the easiest to collect, is the bivalve Ostrea retusa "Pease" Sowerby. This shell is
also believed to be universally extinct and is found in the fossil state only at the Waipio Peninsula area and on an island
in Pearl Harbor.
Ostrea retusa is a medium-large shell soiled-white in color. The lower valve has a few radiating ridges that extend to the
outer edge of the shell. When the two valves are placed together the hinge of the shell gaps open.
The third of Oahu's fossil shells believed to be universally extinct is Strombus ostergaardi Pilsbry. This shell has been
found in the fossil state at Kahi Point along the Nanakuli sea cliffs, in Honolulu Harbor, and on Mokapu Peninsula.
Strombus ostergaardi is somewhat similar to Strombus maculatus but is narrower and more delicate, being about half the width
of maculatus.
In addition to these universally extinct fossil shells there are a number of fossils that are now extinct in the Philippine
chain but are found in other Indo Pacific areas. Strombus mutabilis Swainson, 1821 is such a shell. It has been found as a
fossil at Kahi Point, the Nanakuli sea cliffs, and, by Cliff Weaver, at Kaena Point. This shell is listed in Kira, and is in
a few local fossil collections under its synonym S. floridus Lamarck. The easiest way to differentiate this shell from S.
maculatus is that mutabilis has the inner row of teeth in the aperture extending the full length of the columella. Also it
has a more humped shoulder than other similar Strombus species.
capiz shell,supplier,strombus ovula,black lip,shells beads,conus stratus,pinkrode,component part,jewelry shell,capiz shell
Capiz shell pokalets fashion cardium cardissa murex treremis terebra maculata shell inlayed puka wallers triton cyprea arabeca cardium cardissa supplies conus omaria abalone puka moonshell white item gift cay-cay inlaid conus stripe conus.
capiz shell
Shell
Bracelets
|
