CYPRAEAS (Introduction) |
THE CYPRAEAS (COWRIES SHELLS) OF NEW-CALEDONIA. |
INTRODUCTION |
All the immense Lagoon of New Caledonia is home to a large variety of species of Porcelain (Cowries), some very common, others less, including the famous "Aurantium" fairly recent discovery, on the East coast of Grande Terre, more precisely Poindimie, in a very limited Habitat. Outside the Lagoon by dredging depth, recent discovery also Rare Species of the World, but much larger and colorful. Among these species, some are subject to a particularism which Mother Nature has endowed. Like for example, the known Worldwide Phenomenon Nigerisation and/or Rostration (Nigerostration: Melanization and/or deformation), described elsewhere in my Book on this topic, or much to the "Phénomène Niger Rostrated (N/R)" page of this Website. This Phenomenon makes them acquire/take, over time, a completely new aspect of their structures. Shells become completely black, and deform to a point as it is often difficult or impossible to recognize the original species. At last, some other Phenomena are also present such as: - 01) : The "Greening" (Translucent or opaque) colors Shells. - 02) : the "Whitening" (Also Translucent or Opaque). - 03) : the "Blushing" (Also Translucent or Opaque). However, we must recognize that these three Phenomena, far more rare, if not exceptional, affecting very few shells, and are often accompanied by small or large, defects on the back of the Shells with. On the other hand, when the shells are concerned "Gem", then there are real beauty breathtaking a Geek. Note that for all these species, there is also the phenomenon of "Dwarfism'" that reduces their size significantly and sometimes dramatically, and that of "Gigantism" that their fact reach maximum size really unusual. This, for both Normal Shells Shells for Nigers and/or Rostrated. But however these both Phenomena are quite exceptional.
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