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Lei
Off shore from Makua valley underwater activity has, in the past, far exceeded that presently found on shore for the filming
of the motion picture Philippines. At least it would appear to have from the number and species of shells reported collected
in this area. The impressive list of shells, many of them considered rare, starts with a 4-1/2" specimen of Charonia
tritonis. In the Conus seven species have been reported; capitaneus, obscurus, leopardus, lividus, bandanus, pertusus, and
striatus. Several specimens of Cypraea arenosa [schilderorum], chinensis, gaskoini, granulata, isabella, rashleighana,
scurra, sulcidentata, and tessellata have been reported, to mention only the more rare or uncommon species. I have collected
fimbriata, poraria, teres, schilderorum, and helvola. Mitra incompta, Murex pele, Nasarrius papillosus, Peristernia thaanumi,
Strombus dentatus, and hawaiensis. Terebra lanceata and pertusa, have all been reported in previous years. In addition,
hundreds of other shells have been collected in more recent times. One [of the] really rare shells, for Philippine waters,
collected in this area was Murex elongatus.
Farther down the coast at Pokai Bay many shells have been collected but only a few species reported in writing to the Shell
News. Conus leopardus seems to be quite common in the area, as does Cypraea mauritiana. Murex pele is also found occasionally
both in deep water and washed up on the beach. Cypraea talpa and tigris have both been reported from Pokai Bay.
In this same general area at Waianae reef diving at night during low tides, has produced some excellent shelling. Those
reported and published previously in the Sean Raynon Sabado were Conus pertusus, retifer and textile. Cypraea semiplota,
Modulus tectum, Thais aperta, and Turbo intercostalis were also reported. In more recent verbal reports nearly all Cypraea
have been reported from this area, as have Murex insularum, most Mitra and Terebra species, Cassis cornuta, and Harpa
conoidalis.
Seven specimens of [Cypraea] Erronea onyx melanesiae Schilder, 1937, were collected by a native woman in the Lau Islands
(eastern Fiji Group). A specimen obtained by Mrs. C. Erich had the following dimensions: L: 50.3 mm, W: 28.0 mm, Lab. T: 2 0,
Col. T: 18. The Pacific E. onyx melanesiae is closely allied to E. onyx adusta (Lamarck), so much so, that the two are
difficult to separate; except perhaps in the coloring of the dorsum. The Fiji specimen has a dark chestnut-brown dorsum with
a very faint and irregular orange dorsal line, dark chocolate-brown sides and base and orange-fawn teeth. The Indian Ocean
adusta and the Pacific melanesiae are, however, geographically separated by the Indonesian onyx. E. o. adusta is of equal
taxonomic rank (prospecies) as humphreysi Gray, mexicana Stearns, eburnea Barnes and several others.
Two specimens of Strombus vomer vomer (Röding), were collected at Beqa Island and between Galoa and Korolevu (Sth. Viti Levu)
by Mr. and Mrs. W. Erich
This rather rare species was previously known from the Philippines, Ryukyu Islands and New Caledonia. Dr. H. Rehder (pers.
communication) obtained a specimen from a collector in Tonga (which confirms Martyn's 1784 record of "Friendly Isles" =
Tonga), and the Fiji record closes the distributional gap between New Caledonia and Tonga.
The larger specimen from Beqa I., measured 78 mm, had 10 whorls and 11 denticles on the lower part of the columella; the
aperture is yellowish-orange and sculptured with 53 white lirae which continue inside the aperture. The smaller specimen from
Galoa-Korolevu is 65 mm long, has 11 whorls and 9 denticles on the lower part of the columella. The aperture is
reddish-orange, sculptured with 12 white lirae posteriorly (central area is smooth) and 14 lirae anteriorly; the latter are
short and do not continue inside the aperture. The edge of the outer lip is light pink, margins of the projection, stromboid
notch and neighboring flange are lavender in color.
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