R . M Filmer*

ABSTRACT: Conus moncuri sp. nov. is described and compared with C. litteratus Linnaeus, 1758 and C. leopardus Röding , 1798.

Introduction.

In the last twelve months, the, well known, shell dealer Alistair Moncur has obtained seven specimens of an unusual cone. These specimens have come from Filipino divers and sub dealers who have obtained them from locations as far apart as Palawan Island and Bohol Island in the southern Philippines.

A question remains as to whether these specimens are indeed a new species in the Genus Conus, a new subspecies or merely a variety. However there seems to be enough evidence to justify new species status.

Conus moncuri species novum.

Description.

The holotype, which has been selected from the type of material, displays the variations in the colour patterns found in the rest ot the type material.
The holotype, is in The British Museum of Natural History (BMNH), registration number 20050091, it measures 98.5 x 54 mm and weighs 124 grammes.
The spire is low with a concave outline. There are five whorls below the badly eroded apex. Despite the erosion of the protoconch the apex is dome shaped. There is a raised ridge or step on the
outer side of the latter whorls at the suture. The latter whorls are concave and contain some spiral cords. The offwhite ground colour has pink tinges and there are numerous curved axial brown-black strips.
The shoulder is relatively angulate. The axial brown-black strips, present on the spire whorls, cross the shoulder.
The body whorl is convex just below the shoulder and then straight to the base. The sculpture consists of axial growth marks and some vague well separated spiral grooves near the base. The ground colour is vaguely pink with brown-black squares and flecks in spiral rows. Most of the dorsal side has very few brown-black marks while the ventral side has numerous ones. There are two pale yellowish bands with numerous axial brown-balck flecks crossing them. The base is marked with a very distinctive purple-brown stain. The body whorl is smooth and tends to be shiny.
The aperture is relatively wide and straight, it is white except for the basal stain described above. The columella is rather straight and has only one pleat. The lip is strong and straight and the notch at the spire end is rather shallow.