Is this a cypraea tigris pardalis? I find it unusual.

[shellhunk]

Hi guys! It's been quite awhile. I recently auctioned my small collection of shells on ebay due to problems.

This is a cowry that I didn't want to sell because I find it unusual. The tiger cowries I've seen are much different including the pardalis. I couldn't find any picture of this.

It's a huge 104mm really globbose, multispotted, with spot shadows on the right. I held on to it coz it really looks nice unique.

Please tell me what kind of tiger this is. Thanks guys.

CHRIS
<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2757465" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2757465">http://www.badongo.com/pic/2757465</a><!-- m --></a>
<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2757519" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2757519">http://www.badongo.com/pic/2757519</a><!-- m --></a>

[dave r]

Hi Chris,
yes it is a pardalis. Pardalis is just a forma name for a C. tigris that is pure white with black spots, it has no taxonomical value. Some people give forma names to specimens that are 'different' to the normal ones, e.g. forma niger for black ones, alba for white ones, punctata for spotted onne, well, you get the picture. The names do have uses when you need to describe a certain form to someone for instance, but beware of dealers who use forma names as subspecific or even specific names just so they can sell a 'different' subspecies.
Dave.  

[shellhunk]

I c. <img src="images/smiley/smile.gif" alt="" border="0" /> Thanks so much Dave! <img src="images/smiley/smile.gif" alt="" border="0" />