Shell identification requested by Rafael Picardal

[paul monfils]

Plate 1 (Conus):

The yellow cone I am not sure of. I think it may be the yellow form of Conus kinoshitai, sometimes called Conus tamikoae. It also resembles the yellow form of Conus bruuni, but that species is not supposed to be found in the Philippines.

The dotted Conus appears to be Conus stercusmuscarum. The color of the dots is a bit odd.  Usually the dots are very dark, almost black. Is this perhaps a beach specimen, somewhat faded? The pattern of the dots and the shape of the shell are right for C. stercusmuscarum though.

The third cone appears to me to be one of the innumerable color forms of Conus magus.

Plate 2 (Strombus):

In the left image with the 6 shells, I believe the smallest one (top center) is Strombus mutabilis. The glossy-looking one on the right I am not sure about in this view. A ventral view would be better. The other 4 are color forms of Strombus urceus.

The next picture, the orange-mouth shell with the very tall spire is not a typical specimen of any species I know. I believe it is an aberrant or "freak" specimen of Strombus urceus.

The next one, the dark shell with the tall spire, is also a form of Strombus urceus. I have several similar specimens.

The last one on the right appears to be a faded specimen of Strombus pugilis from the Caribbean. Someone must have dropped it where you found it.

Plate 3 (Vexillum):

All these "miters" are species of Vexillum, which places them in the family Costellariidae rather than Mitridae. I believe they are (L to R):

Vexillum vulpeculum
Vexillum coccineum
Vexillum subdivisum
Vexillum curviliratum

Regards, Paul

.