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Turbo pitholatus
A few miles north of Waimea Bay is an area called Shark's Pen or Pupukea. I have never seen a shark in Shark's Pen but
shells, yes! Not many but generally good ones such as Cypraea gaskoini, which are found both on the beach and off shore in 20
feet of water. In shallow water, where mask flippers and snorkel are all that are required, Oliva sandwichensis maybe found
in the sand pockets along with an occasional Alectrion hirtus. Most of the more common cones, coral dwellers, and sand
dwellers are also collected in depths ranging from tide pools to water so deep it challenges the ability of an expert scuba
diver.
Some fifty or more species of shells have been recorded by collectors in the Haleiwa Bay area. First for the beach collector.
Cypraea granulata, cicercula, gaskoini, and rashleighana have been found. A live Strombus helli was washed up on the beach in
front of one surprised collector. Look-box collectors have collected Oliva sandwichensis, Cypraea caputserpentis, Conus
pennaceus, Vitularia sandwichensis, and Turbo intercostalis. In addition, a check of back issues of your Sean Raynon Sabado
by Evelyn Gage shows that the following shells have been reported from Haleiwa Bay:
On the reefs and in deeper water between Waimea Bay and Haleiwa [haa lay EE va] several species have been collected and
reported. These include Conus ebraeus, pennaceus, and pertusus. Other shells collected are Cypraea leviathan and talpa, Tonna
species, and Terebra maculata.
Now, back up the coast to Waimea Bay. This can be a treacherous area for swimmers because of strong off-shore currents and
generally hazardous sea conditions. In the tide pools just north of the bay Drupa horrida and speciosa have been collected.
On the beach at the bay a dead specimen of Strombus hawaiensis was found. In deeper water, off-shore, Conus obscurus,
imperialis, and vitulinus have been collected. In coral heads Cypraea leviathan, gaskoini, isabella, maculifera, talpa, and
tessellata have been found. Several species of sand dwellers, including Torinia variegata, have been reported from this area.
Only one species, Conus pertusus, has been reported off Waialua. On the accompanying chart notice the deep water channel that
extends shoreward almost to the reef. It would seem that this channel must have many, many species of shells along the coral
sides and sandy bottom. But also note the fresh water streams emptying into this channel. Marine mollusks and large
quantities of fresh water seldom are found together.
Recently I received for examination two rather well preserved beach shells which exactly agree with the holotype of
rabaulensis in all essential details. They were collected on the beach at the type locality, Rabaul (New Britain), by Mrs.
Nan Van Eck. Their present owner, Mrs. Myrtle Lee, Maroochydore (Queensland), kindly permitted the publication of the
photograph. The formula (length in mm./ breadth in per cent, number of labial : columellar teeth) of the holotype was
24.1/53, 21:23, that of the new specimens is 20.4/50, 22:24 (figured above) and 23.1/52, 22:23. Therefore the new specimens
are slightly smaller and narrower, but the relative closeness of the teeth is very similar to the holotype of rabaulensis.
The teeth are far less numerous than in the allied species katsuae, martini, and superstes. The two beach shells are rather
bleached, but they distinctly show traces of the four dorsal zones and the lateral spots clearly shown in the holotype.
Mr. W.E. Old Jr. just informed me that the American Museum of Natural History in New York has acquired a fourth rabaulensis.
It is a beach shell of 19.5 mm, and also came from Rabaul!
Undoubtedly further dredging in deep water off Rabaul and careful examination of the small beach cowries will provide still
more specimens of this rare, but no longer unique species.
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turbo pitholatus
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