Phenacovolva tokioi

Comment from expert, Neville Coleman: COMMON NAME: TOKIO’S SPINDLE COWRY REMARKS: Ranging from Japan across the Asia/Indo – Pacific region this species is extremely variable in mantle colour pattern and shape of the shell. Like most ovulids this species is sexually dimorphic, with the females often being twice as large as the males. They also vary depending on which host gorgonian they live on. eg: Those that live on sea whips may be longer and slimmer than those that grow up on other gorgonian hosts. Although I have published the largest number of living species of this family in 2002 SEA SHELLS ( over 400 images) there is still a log way to go to establish all the variations across the range of most species. I guess we shall just have to wait till somebody establishes a DNA data base with cross referenced images before we can know for shore what some of the variations are. I wish them luck as it took me 40 years just to find the hundred or so species In 2002 SEA SHELLS.