Zoila friendii - Deep Water Specimen !!! , (J. E. Gray, 1831)
Size
77.2 mm
Locality
Margaret River, WA
Note
In the area west of Margaret River in depths of 115 to 135 metres of water there is a hybrid zone between kostini and friendii. The shell here show huge variations in pigmentation and shape and vary from shells that are close to kostini to very friendii like shells. This specimen has tan dorsal spotting with a china white base and cream sides with dense black lateral spots. Collected by ROV from 125 metres of water west of Margaret River in Western Australia during April 2016. The specimen has an outstanding freckle like pattern to the dorsum and apricot siphons with a perfect white base. Graded Fine+++ due to a growth irregularity on the columnar side. It is very large for a kostini.
The shell is from our personal collection and has a small repair in it's posterior siphon that is virtually impossible to see. Without this issue I would price the shell at 2,800 euro.