x

Iconographic review of the genus Cribrarula part 1

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).


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

First uploaded 1998. This was one of my first online-articles. You can tell by the style that I was at the beginning of all things to do with digital photography and the internet. The photo of garciai was added in 2001.
The second part featuring cribraria, comma, and esontropia-like taxa was never uploaded because somebody had published about the subject in due course, which would have made my venture appear even more humble, redundant, and meaningless.
My esteemed colleague was completely unaware of my website back then, and did a great job on revising Cribrarula. RIP, dear FM.