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Shell bracelet
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.
From deeper water off-shore collectors have reported a much greater variety of shells. These are Casmaria erinaceus, Conus
chaldaeus, ebraeus, abbreviatus, pennaceus and quercinus. Cypraea caputserpentis, maculifera, sulcidentata, and vitellus;
Drupa speciosa, recina, and morum; Janthina fragilis; Latirus nodus; and Thias aperta.
Along the northern shore of the Island, from Kawela Bay to Kahuku Point, Conus pennaceus and ebraeus have been collected on
reefs at low tide. Conus chaldaeus has been reported in tide pools from a rocky area in the cove next north of Kawela Bay. In
40 feet of water west of Kahuku Point a diver collected Cypraea chinensis and Terebra crenulata.
Undoubtedly the waters off-shore from Kahuku Point westward would produce many excellent shells, certainly more than have
been reported to date. One reason for the scarcity of reports from this area is that it must be worked by scuba divers and
from boats. The distance from suitable moorings or launching site makes for a long trip and little diving. Secondly, the area
is nearly always quite rough as a result of trade wind-generated swells washing onto the shore. And, finally, strong currents
prevail in this area as the trade wind-generated northeast to east currents split and rush past Kahuku Point. Divers
regularly spearfish this area so it definitely can be worked by adequately equipped and competent divers. Undoubtedly the
collecting returns would more than compensate for the time and trouble involved in reaching the area. I believe I'll try it
this summer.
Prior to my first reef-fishing trip to the Great Barrier Reef I had heard of shells being found in the stomachs of two
species of common reef fish, i.e., the prolific "sweetlip emperor," Lethrinus chrysostomus and the "coral trout,"
Plectropomus maculatus (Bloch, 1790). Certainly I never expected to find a shell myself in this manner. I didn't. I found
two!
That day I journeyed off shore 58 miles to Broadhurst Reef with a local fishing club. I caught several of both species
mentioned. While the boat was moving to a new spot I started to gut some of my fish. In the food sack of a "sweetlip" I was
delighted to find a badly pitted specimen of Cypraea carneola. It measured 32 mm in length. Other fisherman told me that the
shell's poor condition was normal although occasionally a good specimen turned up.
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