Callistocypraea nivosa var.
This specimen of C. nivosa was trawled last year, from 20 fathoms offshore the Northwest Cape, Western Australia.
It is the first record of this species outside the Asian range (from Sri Lanka to Andaman Sea).
Compared to Asian shells it is far more inflated and heavy, with large lacunae and a greenish background colour. It measures 58,6 mm and is in gem condition.
Further findings might prove that the Australian population presents a new subspecies.



uploaded 2001. Since no further finds were made from the general area in the past 20 years, Western Australia is not included in the species' range.