Bistolida stolida brianoi
Lorenz 2002
a new subspecies from Madagascar
In my recent book "New Worldwide Cowries"
(ConchBooks, Hackenheim- $ 60, click
here to order) I am naming a new subspecies of stolida
from southern Madagascar. At the time of the description, I had
only four eroded specimens available, a little risky perhaps-
but finally I am able to ascertain the features of this remarkable
subspecies with a fresh gem specimen from Fort Dauphin, S.E. Madagascar.
The features of brianoi, to be brief, are the short columellar
teeth that only extend posteriorly, if at all. The ground color
or brownish instead of bluish, and also the shape resemble the
Australian brevidentata rather than stolida, its
East African subspecies stolida clavicola or B. diauges,
another related species found along the East African coast and
also Madagascar. I am showing the four closest relatives of brianoi
form comparison. Note the difference in the way the teeth extend
or remain restricted along the columellar side, the degree of
marginal spotting and the general shape. For more information
on the complex, please refer to the original description.
Bistolida stolida brianoi Lorenz 2002, Fort
Dauphin, Madagascar
Bistolida stolida clavicola Lorenz 1998,
Zanzibar Island, Tanzania
Bistolida brevidentata deceptor Iredale 1935,
Thursday Is., Northern Territory, Australia
Bistolida diauges Melvill 1888, Pemba Island,
Tanzania