Identification help

[dave r]

Sometimes a species will come in a range of colours or patterns, these are known as forms ( Latin <i>forma</i>)and some that occur regularly are named. The names have no taxonomic value but the name gives you an idea of what a particular shell looks like. For example, one C. spectrum form is named 'pica' and is a black and white shell so if you see for sale 'Conus spectrum forma pica' you will know what the shell will look like.
Hope this helps,
Dave