New YORK SHELL CLUB NOTES No. 238 January 1978 Page 
VOLUTA (HARPULINA) ARAUSIACA (Lightfoot, 1786), BANDED FORM 
Robert Janowsky 
In the past few months I have been privileged to examine several 
specimens of Voluta arausiaca similar to the specimen illustrated. 
These specimens were trawled by fishing boats working off Bombay, 
India. This species has always been 
a rare one and very few live-collect- 
ed specimens have been available for 
study. This form is distinctly dif- 
ferent from specimens previously seen 
in that its pattern is banded rather 
than having the rather brick-like pat- 
tern seen in earlier collected speci- 
mens. A fine illustration of the more 
familiar form can be seen in THE LIVING 
VOLUTES by Weaver and duPont, plate 53, 
Figs A SOBs 
The banded form is in most respects 
similar to the more conventional form 
but is slightly more elongate and less 
nodulose at the shoulder. The colour 
of the new form seems more intense but 
this is perhaps because most of the 
specimens previously seen have been 
faded. This form extends the range 
for the species northward -- the shell 
was known in the past only from North- 
ern Ceylon (Weaver and duPont). It is 
not of course uncommon for Volutes to 
show inbred morphological variations 
from different geographic areas and 
this is one more example of that fact. 
This variety is one of the most strik- 
Sete ; ing examples of the Volutidae. The 
pecimen in the collection iijystrated specimen is rather large 
of and photograph by Mrs. for the banded form, measuring about 
Sally Payne, Decatur, Ala. 80 mm in height. 
SG CB 
i CONSERVATION REPORT, AMU NEWSLETTER, FALL 1977 
A SEA LEVEL PANAMA CANAL is not dead. A little-noticed section in 
the new Panama Canal treaty calls for a study on a new sea-level 
canal. President Carter is enthusiastic, though cost factors may 
prove a deterrent. Professor John C. Briggs, University of South 
Florida, says recent data he has collected reaffirm misgivings 
about the proposed project. A sea-level canal might permit Atlantic 
and Pacific marine life to intermingle and ultimately create ecolog- 
ical disaster. Less than 1% of fish and mollusk species occur in 
both of the two environments. See American Malacological Union 
BULLETINS for 1973, p. 46 (Meredith Jones -Ed.), 1974, p- 42 (Dr. 
Joseph Rosewater -Ed.), p. 76; and Resolution, Fall 1973 NEWSLETTER. 
---- TODAY, 
NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL 
J. WHITESIDE, Conservation Committee 

