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Marginella broderickae Conus brianhayesi Cypraea amphithales perdentata
Cypraea castanea    
     
     

Discovery of the first hybrid between Cypraea edentula and Cypraea alfredensis

Click on any one of these photos to see a larger picture !!
 

Fig.1 Dorsal view :                             Fig. 2 Ventral view.

From left to right : Cypraea edentula; Cypraea edentula x alfrendesis ; Cypraea alfredensis
 

Recently, I received the above shells which come from Algoa Bay, South Africa,
The middle specimen represents the first known example (to my knowledge) of a hybrid between Cypraea edentula and Cypraea alfredensis.
All the above shells come from the same reef, dived at 15m.
The typical edentula from Algoa Bay is an orange colour (as above). This may have random
spotting, above and below. Typical alfredensis are a greyish-blue colour (as above), but NEVER
orange. C. alfredensis also have typical strong , linear, basal spotting along the side of the base.
The hybrid specimen has elements of both species :
1) It has neither an orange ground colour , not a greyish colour - but a greyish orange - a mixture 
     between the two.
2) It has the typical basal spotting of the alfredensis
3) It has a more slender shape than alfredensis, i.e. more typical of edentula,
    but also has a thickened lip, more typical of alfredensis

So, new and interesting varieties and hybrids keep appearing. That's what makes being
a shell collector so enjoyable !