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2003 Articles |
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 Conus "pennaceus" (Moorea) |
As you all probably know, Conus pennaceus (Born, 1778) is wide spread in the indian ocean. Though, some Pacific localities can offer interesting specimens of this enormous complex. In Hawaï for example, Conus pennaceus is regulary found by local divers. It is a rare coneshell though. In Tahiti (Society-Tuamotu-Australes-Marquesas archipelagos) we are supposed to have this specie. But some authors prefer not to include Tahiti due to the low number of avialable specimens. Personnaly, i found Conus episcopatus (Da Motta, 1982) & Conus magnificus (Reeve, 1843) here. And, i had the chance to get my hands on two specimens that are not episcopatus for sure and are different from typical Conus magnificus. As many collectors think, those too speciemens could belong to Conus pennaceus complex. First, i found a big one, and i always thought that it was Conus magnificus special variation. But several weeks ago, in the same local spot, i found another specimen much smaller, looking close to the other one. Of course, i wish i could find some more ones. But two is really enough to confirm the presence Conus pennaceus around Tahiti. |
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the way, I agree that Conus pennaceus should be restricted to Indian
Ocean area. Some
scientific and collectors think that Hawaïan populations of Conus
pennaceus should be named as a new endemic species though. Our specimens could then just be a variation or a form of Conus magnificus. More studies would be very interesting, and especially DNA ones. |
ere is our typical Conus episcopatus 59-
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Conus
episcopatus (Da Motta, 1982) (Moorea)
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Conus
"pennaceus" (Moorea)
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58.9
mm & 62.3
mm
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65.9
mm
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| Conus magnificus (Reeve, 1843) (Tahiti) | |
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Small
Conus "pennaceus" (Moorea) |
Small
Conus magnificus (Moorea) |
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46.1
mm
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58.9
mm
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2003 Articles |