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Tebia fusos
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.
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.
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