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Tiger cowry
The discovery of a number of Cypraea punctata, variation trizonata, both with and without brown teeth should help to settle
the problem of whether this is a separate species, as some have claimed. It would seem that the Polynesian representation
intergrades in Samoa with typical C. punctata.
Cypraea felina, variation melvilli, was also found increasing the range of this species to Samoa. The same is true of Cypraea
microdon, Cypraea minoridens and Cypraea eglantina. Cypraea argus was represented by one fresh empty specimen, and two old
eroded shells.
Cypraea tigris, usually so common on South Pacific Islands, was rare in Samoa. Mollusks are eaten with relish on Tutuila,
especially the larger top shells and cowries. The reefs are constantly searched by residents with food in mind. This may
account for the rarity of C. tigris.
I found a simple way to encourage the cowries to extend their mantles. A bottle of sea water was kept in the refrigerator and
cowries to be studied were placed in this water which was warmed to about 80 degrees - just so it no longer felt cold. In a
small amount of this stored water which probably lost some oxygen during refrigeration and warming [water accepts more gas,
not less, when it is chilled. See my explanation in NS#206 RCD] the shells put on a good show. The exact character of
mantle, siphon, tentacles and foot could be easily determined with a low power magnifying glass.
Side view of Philippine Strombus. This shell, the second
collected, proved to be a male (by disection).
New stations were selected in an area off Koko Head [to see a map, click here (Koko Head is at bottom), then use your
browser's BACK function to return]. These places were, at first glance, dull and uninteresting. The more frequently we
visited them, however, the more life could be seen. Shells in great variety were found, from the largest to the smallest.
Cassis cornuta were quite often seen, as were Conus leopardus and Conus quercinus. A very large Cypraea gaskoini was picked
up at one of the sites. At another, a very small Terebra achates was fanned out of the sand.
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