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Zoila jeaniana aurata Stunning Hybrib

66.0 mm Bernier Island, WA 600,00 €

Item

# 0003839692

Family

Cypraeidae

Name

Zoila jeaniana aurata - Stunning Hybrib , L. Raybaudi, 1979

Size

66.0 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. Stunning shell with tan patterned dorsum, apricot cream base and margins with distinct dark lateral spots and orange gold siphon trim. Graded Fine++/Fine+++ due to a soft dorsal fold. Magic Shell !!!

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