Using cookies on shellauction.net:
Shellauction uses cookies only for technical reasons and to facilitate and speed up your site navigation.
By continuing to browse, you accept the use of cookies;
if you do not wish to receive them please disable them or not navigate this website further. More info Cookies on shellauction.net
COOKIE INFORMATIONS
Using cookies on shellauction.net:
Shellauction uses cookies only for technical reasons and to facilitate and speed up your site navigation.
By continuing to browse, you accept the use of cookies;
if you do not wish to receive them please disable them or not navigate this website further.
More info Cookies on shellauction.net
Zoila kostini leemanica - New Sub Species !!! , Mont 2025
Size
64.3 mm
Locality
Leeman, WA
Note
Over the past ten years I have had a desire to collect friendii on the continental shelf west of Geraldton to study the inter-grade between aurata and kostini. Until February 2023 we had only found one live specimen in 200 metres of water west of the Abrolhos Islands. The reason for the difficulty in doing this has been exceptionally strong currents in the area and our inability to find sponge beds that are the species food source. In February 2023 we had some success finding a number of specimens west southwest of Dongara and to the southwest of Geraldton. The shells we found were different to both kostini and aurata. They were consistently larger than southern kostini, more colorful with coarse spotting not unlike aurata, and less rounded mostly china white base. They are quite vercoi like. Perhaps 70% kostini and 30% aurata is an apt description but I have decided to refer to them as "leemanesis" and more so recently they have been described as an official sub species - leemanica. ROV collected from 195 metres of water off Leeman in Western Australia this specimen has a white background with a hint of pink. covered in tan blotches, apricot siphons and a china white base. Graded Fine++ as it has a growth step on the columnar margin.
Login
Go to amorashells's items
EURO