Iconographic review
of the genus Cribrarula part 1

by Felix Lorenz

The genus Cribarula (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Cypraeidae) consists of a vast number of species and subspecies whose distinguishing conchological characteristics are often obscured by individual variation and ecologic modification. This iconography is the preview of a series to be published in a print medium. To allow better comparison of dentition and size of lacunae, the shells are illustrated in different magnifications, with a scale (mm). All photos are copyrighted me and are for personal use only, not for distribution on another web site.
The gaskoinii-group

Cribrarula catholicorum: Vanuatu

Cribrarula catholicorum: New Britain

Cribrarula catholicorum: New Guinea, variation with small lacunae

Cribrarula catholicorum: Moreton Bay, Queensland

Cribrarula catholicorum: Queensland, variation without dorsal netting.
Four embryonal bands are clearly visible.

Cribrarula catholicorum: typical smaller, rostrated specimens from the Solomon Is.

Cribrarula catholicorum: Vanuatu. Conchological intermediate to Cribrarula taitae

Cribrarula taitae: Vanuatu

Cribrarula taitae: Western Samoa

Cribrarula taitae: American Samoa

Cribrarula taitae: Western Samoa

Cribrarula gaskoinii: Hawaii. Small variation

Cribrarula gaskoinii: Hawaii. Medium sized shells

Cribrarula gaskoinii: Hawaii. Large shells

Cribrarula gaskoinii: Hawaii. Colour variation

The cumingii-group

Cribrarula cumingii: Tahiti, small form

Cribrarula cumingii: Tuamotu, variation in colour and shape

Cribrarula cumingii: Tahiti, typical, large form ("cleopatra")

Cribrarula cumingii: Tuamotu, large variation, wide base

As the holotype of cumingii is a shell measuring 28 mm the name cleopatra should no longer be used to describe larger shells. The common, smaller shell has not been named so far.

Cribrarula cumingii astaryi: Marquesas, smaller shells

 

Cribrarula cumingii astaryi: Marquesas, large shell ("lefaiti")

Cribrarula compta: Tuamotu

Cribrarula compta: Tuamotu. Typical specimen of this overlooked taxon, whose status is so far uncertain

 

Cribrarula sp.: Fangataufa, unique specimen of a probably new species resembling cumingii, but with stronger callus and finer dentition.

Cribrarula garciai, 22 mm, recently described from Easter Island