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Shark tooth
Hybrids between allied species of cowries seem to be very rare. Schilder described intermediate hybrids between Cypraea
tigris Linn. and C. pantherina Sol. from their only common area at Aden (1962, Veliger 5:83) as well as between Erosaria
eburnea Barnes and E. miliaris Gmel. from Frazer Is. (1963, Cowry 1:69).
In 1962 Schelechoff collected at Stradbroke Is. in Moreton Bay (where both Erronea errones Linn. and E. caurica Linn. live) a
living specimen (coll. Schelechoff No. 1247) which evidently is a hybrid between these two species.
The shell figured above is 33.2 mm long (breadth is 55 per cent) with 17 labial and 14 columellar teeth. Most characters
agree with those of errones, including the vividly brown interstices of the anterior teeth on both lips which frequently can
be observed in this species. Some characters, however, recall caurica, especially the teeth of both lips which are more
produced than in errones, the base being pale brownish fresh color instead of white to yellow (as it is in errones), the two
anterior terminal spots being paler brown and less clearly defined than with errones (these spots are absent in four-fifths
of errones coming from Moreton Bay), and chiefly by the presence of several distinct though rather pale brownish lateral
spots: four round spots on the right margin (from one quarter to two-thirds of the length) and two less distinct spots in the
central part of the columellar side. Such lateral spots never have been observed in errones before so that we think this
specimen probably to be the result of spontaneous crossing of errones with caurica which view is supported by the other
characters of the shell mentioned above.
However, we feel compelled to admit that Erronea subviridis Reeve which usually has unspotted margins, exhibits similar
lateral spots in most specimens coming from the same area in Moreton Bay.
On the Island of Oahu there are fossil shells that are not known to have lived anywhere else in the world. Three of the
fossil species are universally extinct and can be collected only by visiting one of the several fossil areas to be found on
the island. Other fossils, now extinct in Philippines, are found elsewhere. Still others are nearing extinction in
Philippines but may be quite abundant in other areas.
Some of the shells to be found in the areas to be described have the appearance of chalk and will have to be handled quite
carefully. However, they are identifiable and will be an interesting addition to any collection. Others will have colors
nearly as bright as when they lived several thousand years ago. Still others may have lost their characteristic colors but
will be a brilliant transparent yellow or golden color.
There are distinct differences in size between populations coming from different localities: in 17 specimens collected by Mr.
Cliff Weaver near the Mokolea Rock in Kailua Bay, Oahu (50 to 60 feet) the usual variation is 32-35 mm only, in 35 shells
from Pearl and Hermes Reef, Midway Is. (beach shells) it is 31-40 mm, in 18 shells from Laysan (leg. Schauinseln: Veroff.
Ueberseemus. Bremen, A 3:32, 1958) 31-44 mm, while in other 30 shells from the same locality (leg. Pietschmann: Occ. Pap.
Bishop Mus. 30/3, 1933) it rises to 41-50 mm; the usual variation of 40 sulcidentata without locality preserved in various
collections is 35-51 mm, thereby greatly exceeding the two first named populations.
On Sunday, March 13, 1966, forty-five members of the Philippine Malacological Society and their guests spent the day high and
dry above the Pacific Ocean along the Nanakuli sea cliffs at Kahi Point, south shore Oahu. In spite of being "high and dry,"
shelling was excellent.
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