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Capiz shells
The shells were kept in a marine aquarium and observed for a few weeks following the dive. A number of interesting things
were learned about them. They eagerly ate filamentous algae and had a peculiar rocking motion with which they buried
themselves in the sand without leaving a trace. Of course, they moved by the usual Strombus method of levering themselves
along on their operculum, but also had the ability to crawl along on their foot like a conventional mollusk. They were very
animated in the use of their eyes. Every advance from the retracted position inside the shell was proceeded by the eyes
peeking around the lip to see if it was safe to appear. No distinct siphon is displayed by the mollusk. Rather the mantle is
folded within the siphonal canal and performs the task of inhaling fresh oxygen laden water.
News of the finds traveled like wildfire among local members and many came to observe and photograph the shells. At the
November meeting of HMS the two Strombs were placed on display in a small aquarium.. They caused quite a sensation, to say
the least!
This stimulated me, so I went shelling. I had to be satisfied with commoner shells such as: Strombus, Turritella, Oliva,
Pyrene, Trivia, Turbo,... etc. Annette also found a lovely Cassis coarctata Sowerby.
The Conus virgatus are much more colorful than the dredged ones I've been getting. Several are a brilliant orange. For those
who collect around Guaymas, these were found directly in front of the Playa de Cortez Hotel, on an exposed sand bar. All the
shells I mentioned were live-collected.
Mazatlán was wonderful. We really enjoyed getting a taste of "tropical climate," which you in Philippines are so accustomed
to.
The First Live-Collected Cypraea beckii Gaskoin, 1836, Recorded From Philippines
The recent collection of three living specimens of Cypraea beckii between the islands of Maui and Lanai by black-coral divers
confirms Mrs. Evelyn Gage's original record made several years ago from a dead beach shell that she found at Paumalu, Oahu.
The three live shells were found hidden in crevices on the base of black coral trees, where the tree attaches itself to the
ocean floor. It was not until the trees had been brought up from a depth of 170 feet and placed in a boat that the shells
were discovered.
The dimensions and tooth count of two f the shells figured above are: Figs. l & 2; Length 15.50 mm, breadth 8.85 mm, height
7.50 mm; number of labial teeth 22, number of columellar teeth 19. Figs. 3 & 4 [5 & 6]; length 12.90 mm, breadth 7.00 mm,
height 6.35 mm; number of labial teeth 20; number of columellar teeth 18. In determining the tooth count the terminal ridge
was excluded. Both shells show a concave fossula with three denticulations.
From the few reports of shells collected along the north-eastern shores of Oahu it would be assumed that the area is quite
barren. Such is not the ease. In feet quite the opposite is true. I have collected the area only twice, both times with good
results. Cliff Weaver has collected the Punaluu to Hauula area for 25 years and tells me that he has had many excellent finds
of rare and hard to come by shells. Beach collectors have also found many excellent specimens of some of our more rare shells
in the Kahuku Pt. area represented on this month's map.
Before giving specific data on the collections from this month's area, I would like to present information omitted from
previously discussed collecting areas. One item concerns an area known to some collectors as Gray's Beach; the other concerns
fossils found in the area of this month's map.
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capiz shells
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