Information about Cypraea pyrum and spurca Habitat

[pilsbryi]

Dear David,

The descrïption you make fits those lurida that can be found in Azores Isl. and Madeira. In Azores i only caught one specimen ( dead ) in 12 meters depth and it seems that both species and the ssp. pulchroides co-exist there. Rarely are found in these islands.

In the mainland i never caught a lurida. A friend of mine and an experienced collector has one lurida caught on a crowded and polluted beach near by Lisbon. It was found partialy burried on sand and keeps full gloss ( fresh dead for sure ) . This one it is the only record i have from the mainland.

Nevertheless the rarest of all around here its the achatidea. I`ve heard about the portuguese one, but i never had the chance to see a single specimen.

The spurca it is often collected in Madeira Isl. , but it is rare there.

Kind regards

JOSE BENTO

[david touitou]

Hello pilsbryi,

Thanks for these info. Now I only need to find <i>C. pyrum</i> <img src="images/smiley/smile.gif" alt="" border="0" />
I have no record from <i>C. achatidea</i> from France though.
Try crevices/holes in 0.5-10m. You'll need a flashlight.
They usually live there close to yellow sponge : <i>Verongia aerophoba</i>.

All the best,
David