The rediscovery of

Pustularia bistrinotata keelingensis Schilder & Schilder

 

It was quite a surprise when I found a pair of dead, strange pale bistrinotata at WangiWangi, an Atoll south of Sulawesi in October 01. The shells had thickened extremities, short teeth and coarse granules. The dorsum was not humped. They resembled the description of keelingensis given by the Schilders in their treatise of the Dautzenberg-collection (1952). Early this year, J.P. Barbier sent me a shell he thought to be chiapponii, a rare species from the eastern Philippines. His specimen was from the south of Palawan. It was not chiapponii, but what turned out to be the true keelingensis, large and perfect. Subsequent research in the area so far kept secret produced several more of these jewels which are here shown for the first time in color. Note the coarse extremities, strong teeth and bright orange color. The shells measure between 19 and 21 mm. They are more brightly orange colored, much heavier and less humped compared to other Philippine bistrinotata. The basal spots, however, are not as produced as in the nominate form. Apparently, keelingensis is distributed in the southwest of the regular bistrinotata-distribution. It is still under study.