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The
first shell is a member of the Ovulid family or Allied Cowries
and is named Archivolva lissenungensis (Lorenz 2004), after
the place of discovery Lissenung Island. The shell is between
15 and 20mm long and lives extremely cryptical on a large gorgonian.
The animal's foot and mantle have the same red color as its host
gorgonian and there are prominent white papillae imitating the
polyps of the host, which makes it very difficult to spot them.
http://www.cowries.info/shell/liss/index.html
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A
tiny little Olive shell is Lissenung Island's second discovery.
Janaoliva amoni, Sterba & Lorenz 2004, is only about
3 - 4mm long, translucent white and lives buried in sand. This shell
is abundant but because of its size scientists most likely overlooked
it to date. |
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The
next discovery is another Ovulid, named Pseudocypraea alexhuberti,
Lorenz 2005. It is about 6-8 mm long and so far, it was found
only in sand samples along walls and drop offs. |
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With
less than 1mm in total length and a slit along the outside,
Scissurella lorenzi, Geiger 2006, is the latest but also
the smallest
discovery from Kavieng. This shell is also found in sand samples
along drop-offs and seems to be restricted to this area. |
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The
past research around Kavieng showed an interesting range extension
for many shell species. New species of other shell families like
Cones and Miters are currently under study and will be described
in the near future. All these discoveries add to the limited knowledge
about our ocean environment and show again the amazing biodiversity
of the reefs in Papua New Guinea.
For
more information please e-mail
us or visit www.cowries.info
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