Plz cypraea Id* (Melanism "nigerisation")

[helmetapointe]

Need Id-help for this Cypraea, from the flea-market. Dont have location. 34.5 mm
Thx in advance .



click for zoom

[diocrisseashells1000]

Your  shell looks like in a form of Erronea, and the nearest i can figure is Erronea caurica dracaena (Born,1778). But i am uncertain,.

Diocris

[Emma]

I agree, looks like Erronea caurica dracaena to me too.

Emma.

[helmetapointe]

I think your right both ....... Thx for help

[Bart]

For sure it is Cypraea caurica L. (Which form? depends on the locality....When I have a close look, it seems darker than usual. I would say Cypraea caurica L. forma niger  which occurs it New Caledonia and some parts of Queensland)

[diocrisseashells1000]

Hi Bart,
Here is the reference on where i base my identification,

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.gastropods.com/0/Shell_4320.shtml">http://www.gastropods.com/0/Shell_4320.shtml</a><!-- m -->

If you have a more better source on where to find the "form Niger", that would be great, and great help to helmetapointe. and if you could post a link or any photo of it for comparison that would be nice,.
Thanks,
Diocris

[helmetapointe]

Thank you Bart & Diocris,

Bart, what do you mean with caurica  * L. * ( longior ) ?

I also think it started to have nigerisation.
And the locality New Caledonia fits also, cause all the shells of this lot i got at the fleamarket, exist in N.C.
Philipp Rosenkranz have some nice pics off :

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.cypraea.eu/species/cypraea_caurica.htm">http://www.cypraea.eu/species/cypraea_caurica.htm</a><!-- m -->

[diocrisseashells1000]

Hi there,
I check the google if there's really a form of erronea caurica (forma Niger)..... and here's what i found

                  <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=216861">http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=216861</a><!-- m -->

I dont even see a subspecies or a form of it,...that is why i am disappointed when i search for "murex nigrispinosus" and found out its no longer been used. Right now i'm checking all the name list of my shell collections. and as i've quoted on my post in general discussion " I guess some seashell collectors websites need to update some of their specie names" :.

Diocris

[helmetapointe]

              I found this on Felix Lorenz web-site :

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.cowries.info/sale/files/cypgallery.php?page=10">http://www.cowries.info/sale/files/cypg ... hp?page=10</a><!-- m -->
                              81b
My specie looks very similary like this one.
                                ~~
& a " wow " pages off  Festival :  "Nigers Rostrated Cypraeas "

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.coquillesneo-caledoniennes.com/cypraeasneocaledoniennes/cypraeidaesgaleriesniger/CypraeidaesNigersGaleriesAnnulusClandestinas.htm">http://www.coquillesneo-caledoniennes.c ... stinas.htm</a><!-- m -->

many thanks to:              CHATENAY Jean Maurice
                                      NOUMEA
                                      NEW CALEDONIA