Cypraea saulae Gaskoin, 1843
under rock and coral by local divers at 10 meters
Balicasag Island, Bohol, Philippines
Miss Jane Saul was a famous British shell collector who was born in 1807 and lived to be 98 years old. In 1843 J. S. Gaskoin named this lovely little cowry after her. There does not appear to be a record of their relationship, if any.
Cypraea saulae is a collector favorite, scarce and not that easy to obtain. Most specimens come from the Philippines although the occasional few are found in Indonesia, New Guinea and off the north coast of Australia.
The shell is pyriform in shape, about an inch in size, cream in color on the dorsum with a white base. The dorsum has pale brown freckles and a blotch in the center of the dorsum. Often there are additional blotches that flank the main blotch. In rare instances there is no blotch at all. The margins are finely spotted. In some populations the intercises between the teeth are yellow, in others, white. Several varieties have been named but none are recognized today.
Cypaea saulae lives under coral slabs and rock, in shallow water and at depths up to 150 meters.
Three gem specimens are offered in this raffle to give collectors a sample of the never ending variety of patterns on this attractive little cowry. Donated by Richard Kent
Broward Shell Club 
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