Talostolida pellucens

Lore & Background

Talostolida pellucens was originally described by Melvill in 1888 under the genus Cypraea. Two subspecies are currently recognized: Talostolida pellucens pellucens (Melvill, 1888) and Talostolida pellucens panamensis (Lorenz, 2002). The species has been subject to taxonomic revision, with Talostolida pellucens jacksoni Daughenbaugh & Beals, 2013 considered a synonym of the nominate subspecies, and Talostolida pellucens sumeihoae Daughenbaugh & Beals, 2013 considered a synonym of Talostolida pellucens panamensis. Its distribution is recorded from the Mascarene Basin, a region in the western Indian Ocean.

Reader's Guide

Talostolida pellucens holds significance within the family Cypraeidae as a species with a clear subspecific division, reflecting geographic or morphological variation. The synonymy of two names proposed in 2013—Talostolida pellucens jacksoni and Talostolida pellucens sumeihoae—indicates ongoing refinement of its taxonomy. The species is documented in works such as Keen's 1971 survey of tropical West American marine mollusks and Lorenz's 2002 revision of living Cypraeidae, which established the subspecies panamensis. Its presence in the Mascarene Basin places it within a biogeographically distinct area. The legacy of Talostolida pellucens lies in its contribution to understanding cowry diversity and the dynamic nature of species boundaries in marine gastropods.

Did You Know?

• It has two subspecies: Talostolida pellucens pellucens and Talostolida pellucens panamensis.
• Talostolida pellucens jacksoni is a synonym of Talostolida pellucens pellucens.
• This species is found in the Mascarene Basin.