dwarf or juvenile ?

[helmetapointe]

Hallo,   i'm wondering if this "Turbinella pyrum" from Mannar gulf  (s.e.india), 49.5 mm; 11 gramm; is a dwarf or juvenile form.      <img src="http://s2.noelshack.com/uploads/images/6542963168247_t_p.jpg" alt="http://s2.noelshack.com/uploads/images/6542963168247_t_p.jpg" style="border:0" />

[paul monfils]

The rather thin lip and the presence of the protoconch both indicate a juvenile specimen. In adults the lip is thicker (though not extremely thick in this species) and the protoconch is almost always worn off.

[helmetapointe]

Thank you Paul!
If i understand you well,the size of the protoconch,propotional to the bodyworl,is to much important,to be a dwarf.

[paul monfils]

Well, that's a good point. If it were an adult dwarf, I suppose it might retain the protoconch the same way a juvenile does, at least for a while. But this specimen definitely has a juvenile look to it, its apparent thickness and weight, plus the well formed protoconch.  An adult dwarf, in a photograph, without a size reference, would look virtually identical to a large adult shell. This one doesn't.