Mappa - Mappa

[paul monfils]

Cypraea mappa is an extremely variable species, in shape, size, color and pattern.  In shells collected on one section of reef I have seen fully adult specimens from 55 mm to 85 mm; some average width, others round and inflated; dark patterns, light patterns; classical "map" patterns and all kinds of irregular patterns; some with colored bases, some with white bases; some with color between the teeth, some without.  Not surprisingly, there are many named forms and variations, a few of them probably warranted, most of them unwarranted in my opinion.