Niue Shells 2012

Niue Post issued a miniature sheet consist of four stamps feature the Niue’s shells in year 2012.The shells depicted are the map cowrie (Leporicypraea mappa), geography cone (Gastridium geographus), partridge tun (Tonna perdix) and tiger cowrie (Cypraea tigris).

The $ 1.20 stamp represents the Map cowrie is common name of Mauritia mappa. 

It   is a species of sea snail, a cowry, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.The map cowry was named on the basis of its distinct color pattern, because of the longitudinal lines and the easily distinguishable and sinuous mantle groove, which creates a resemblance to ancient maps

This is considered an economically important species in the Indo-West Pacific, where it is usually collected both for food and for shell trading.

 

The $1.40  stamp depicts the Geography Cone, common name of Conus geographus. 

It is a species of predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails, cone shells or cones.

Conus geographus has a broad, thin shell, cylindrically inflated. Geography cones grow to about 4 inches to 6 inches  in length. The size of an adult shell varies between 43 mm and 166 mm. The ground color of the shell is pink or violaceous white, occasionally reddish.

It has a mottled appearance, clouded and coarsely reticulated with chestnut or chocolate, usually forming two very irregular bands. This intricately brown-and-white pattern is highly prized by shell collectors.

The $ 1.70 stamp represents the Partridge tun, common name of Tonna perdix,   is a species of very large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Tonnidae, the tun shells.

The pattern and brownish colour of the shell is reminiscent of that of a partridge, hence the common name. The size of an adult shell varies between 70 mm and 220 mm.

The $ 2.00 stamp represents the Tiger Cowrie, common name of Cypraea tigris, is a species of cowry, a large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.

Roughly egg-shaped and dextral, the glossy shell is large and heavy for a cowry. 

It measures up to 15 cm  in length, and the upper or dorsal side is white, pale bluish-white, or buff, densely covered with dark brown or blackish barely circular spots.