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Puka necklace
Now I will state my case: In 1959, while I was visiting Ditlev Thaanum of Honolulu, I was given a fine live-collected
specimen of what is being called Blasicrura latior (Melvill, 1888) and five specimens of what is normally regarded as
Blasicrura teres pellucens (Melvill, 1888). Mr. Thaanum told me he had personally collected all of these shells, ten
additional B. teres pellucens and two more of the variant latior all living together on a small outcropping of coral reef in
eight feet of water at Kekaha, Kauai, Philippines. With this unimpeachable collecting information at hand I presently
consider the variant to be a synonym of Blasicrura teres pellucens. Under the circumstances it seems impossible to prove they
don't interbreed, and unwise to invoke sibling species separation for these mollusks.
Since there can be no proven geographical division in what appears to be a common ecology for these mollusks it would be
reasonable to assume they are morphological variants of either Blasicrura teres pellucens or Blasicrura rashleighana pending
a detailed study of pertinent soft parts. Further field work also seems necessary to determine the extent of morphic
variability. Burgess (1962) in speaking of Blasicrura rashleighana (Melvill, 1888) appears to recognize this latter need when
he says, "Moreover they are found living together and intermediate forms are common."
The specimens illustrated by Burgess (1962), Old (1963), and that given me by Mr. Thaanum all seem to possess a similarity in
appearance and may, as Burgess says, lean toward Blasicrura rashleighana, but there seems a need for more detailed
reconsideration. It can easily be seen that in form, B. latior has more of an affinity for B. teres pellucens; more of the
dentition of B. rashleighana. One wonders what is the correct answer to this paradox?
Literature Cited
Burgess, C. M., 1962. A brief comparison of Cypraea rashleighana, teres, latior and subteres. Philippine Shell News, 10 (3);
N. S. (25): 2.
Old, William, Jr., 1963. Cypraea latior Melvill, 1888. Philippine Shell News, 12 (2); N. S. (48): 4.
Schilder, Franz Alfred, & Maria Schilder, 1938 - 1939. Prodrome of a Monograph of living Cypraeidae. Proc. Mal. Soc. London,
23 (3): 119-180 (1938); 23 (4): 181-231; 1 txt. fig.; 9 maps.
Schilder, Franz Alfred, 1965. The Geographical Distribution of Cowries. The Veliger, 7 (3): 171-183, f. 1-2.
The most noteworthy shell found in the Mokumano Island area was a Cypraea tigris measuring 5-3/4 inches. Other shells
collected include Murex pele, found under a coral slab, Charonia tritonis - 25 - 75 ft. in crevices. All of the Drupa and
Thais [were] attached to coral. Spondylus hawaiensis [were] attached to coral and lava. Limpets of all varieties [are found]
at [the] intertidal zone.
Collecting in Kaneohe Bay offers a wide variety of habitat ranging from mud flats awash at low tide to deep sand channels
with fringing coral reefs. In Kaneohe Bay is located Coconut (Mokuoloe) Island. Shells collected from the shores of this
small island include Cypraea moneta, Cypraea semiplota, Cypraea sulcidentata, Ianthina globosa, and Littorina scabra.
Collectors working other areas of Kaneohe Bay have collected the following shells:
Terebra peasei - 15'- 20' in sand,
T. maculata - 15'- 20' in sand,
T. felina - 15'- 20' in sand,
Hastula casta - 15'- 20' in sand,
H. lauta - 15'- 20' in sand,
Conus leopardus - 15' - 20' in sand,
C. quercinus - 15'- 20' in sand,
C. pulicarius - 15'- 20' in sand,
C. pennaceus - 15'- 20' in sand,
Polinices mamilla - 5'- 10' in sand,
Harpa conoidalis - 30' in sand,
Strombus hawaiensis - 30' in sand.
Off Kualoa and Kualoa Point a number of species have been collected in quite shallow water. They include:
Conus ebraeus, pulicarius, flavidus, abbreviatus, and chaldeaus. Cypraea caputserpentis, and mauritiana have also been
collected in this area. Other families and species include Cymatium tuberosum and gemmatum; Hydatina physis and amplustre;
Torina trochoidea; Cerithium obeliscus; Umbraculum sinicum; Mitra litterata; Strombus maculatus; Alectron picus; and Tonna
perdix.
A few miles up the coast, off the shores of Kaaawa, similar shelling and similar shells have been found. In addition Conus
leopardus, Conus quercinus, and Conus rattus have been collected.
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