A Biological Determination of the Taxonomic Status of Conus elisae Kiener in Hawaii

Abstract

A population of Conus pennaceus Born was examined at Hauula, Oahu, and was found to include darkly pigmented specimens referable to C. elisae Kiener. The larvae from an egg mass laid by one of the darkly pigmented cones were reared in the laboratory. Of seven surviving larvae, six developed the C. pennaceus color pattern, while one developed the. C. elisae pattern. It was concluded that Hawaiian cone shells which have in the past been referred to C. elisae are simply rare color forms of C. pennaceus.