shellauction.net :: Zoila jeaniana aurata

www.shellauction.net

Shell Families - Fossils

Links

www.shellauction.net

Go to amorashells's items

Go to Cypraeidae (JEA)

Item Images

Zoila jeaniana aurata Dwarf !!!

53.9 mm Bernier Island, WA 200,00 €

Item

# 0004076926

Family

Cypraeidae

Name

Zoila jeaniana aurata - Dwarf !!! , L. Raybaudi, 1979

Size

53.9 mm

Locality

Bernier Island, WA

Note

To the west of Bernier Island off Shark Bay the friendii complex shows incredible variation. In depths up to 80 metres of water we see the highly prized Bernier Black Tops which are very large with very dark to black dorsa, ink black bases and very high cream sides with spectacular black spots. We have collected a 104mm specimen from this area. Between 150 to 200 metres we find large aurata. These are different to specimens we see to the north and to the south. Typically they are reasonable slender for an aurata and have very flat cream bases with the margin colour and spotting extending onto the margins of the base creating a pretty trim to the base. Between these two populations in depths of 95 to 120 metres we find a population of dwarf jeaniana which show huge variation in size and colour. We have collected shells which have varied from 31 to 79mm in length and vary from shells I classify as aurata to jeaniana to gold jeaniana and the odd aureabasis. I believe this is a hybrid population with two populations of friendii having been isolated from each other by lower sea levels during a past glacial period then re-merged in the current inter-glacial period. This specimen was collected from a geodia sponge in 110 metres of water West of Bernier Island in August 2024. A very cute dwarf with sparse tan mottling, gold siphons, high creamy sides and a matching base. Graded Fine++ due to two nacre windows on the labial side and one to the top of the dorsum. We find few aurata less than 55mm in length.

Seller

amorashells (1323) - Register to view Feedback

Seller Country

AUSTRALIA

Website