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Philippine shells
S. nucleus is sometimes described in literature as being uniformly yellowish-brown. Freshly collected specimens, however,
have a contrasting dual color combination: a light yellowish-brown base and a khaki-brown dorsum; specimens from Fiji have a
rather dark dorsal color. This species will on many occasion deviate from its "typical" cylindrical shape and inflated
structure, by being either broadly ovate or cylindrically elongate, and with either a humped or partially depressed dorsum.
The purplish S. nucleus has some analogy with S. granulata cassiaui (Burgess, 1965) from the Marquesas, Starbuck & Flint
Islands (C. cassiaui Burgess, 1965, Nautilus, 79 (2): 38-40, plt. 4). These purplish variants may be effected in a similar
manner as melanistic specimens of cowries from various geographical regions. Color characteristics in Cypraeidae, even if of
a constant nature and confined to a certain portion of the shell, do not necessarily indicate a new biological species. A
population of Erosaria helvola (Linnaeus) from Nukuhiva, Marquesas, shows such a constant color-character: the extremities
are pure white instead of the usual shade of violet (10 specimens seen, leg. D. Boust, 1966).
Pathological causes, environmental factors and feeding habits are known to cause color deviation in other molluscan groups,
and may equally well be responsible for extreme color-deviation in Cypraeidae.
Shellers tend to panic when they see a Latin name for a shell. On the other hand scientists are apt to be contemptuous of
common names. Between these extremes is the amateur conchologist who is interested in the scientific names and wants to know
their correct pronunciation and etymology. Most books in this field are of little help. Abbottl and Keen2 treat the subject
only briefly.
As amateur conchologists we thought it might allay the apprehensions of fellow shell-club members if there were a condensed
guide to the pronunciation of Latin names. As we recalled our Latin from school it was based on rules and there was an
accepted, correct way to pronounce the letters. Apparently this was also the premise of the Landfears who discussed this
subject. 3 Preparing such a guide did not seem to ambitious an undertaking.
Imagine our surprise to learn that there are three methods of Latin pronunciation in the United States --- the Roman, the
Continental, and the English. 4, 5 The Roman is the one with which we were familiar and had believed to be the accepted
method. The Continental method is used only in the ritual of the Roman Catholic Church. In the English method, letters are
pronounced precisely as they would be in English. This last method has become the practice of English-speaking scientists.
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philippine shells
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Bracelets
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