The Costellariidae and its close cousins in the family Mitridae are generally underrated by collectors, perhaps because many of them are a bit smaller than the average shiny cowrie or cone, murex or volute, and identification is notoriously difficult!! That said, they endlessly delight the eye and mind with a surprising array of sculptures (ie, surface features) , forms and patterns, as well as often being quite colorful. If you have overlooked them in the past, or just wish to try something different, I strongly recommend these two kindred families. Get yourself a hand lens for the smaller ones (LOTS of things look better up close!!) , and prepare to enjoy.
P.S.: Yes we are aware that this family contains a genus called Costellaria… but vexing question of which Vexillum was now being called Costellaria, created a monstrous mess on this list – so we scrapped the genus for the sake of both expediency and sanity!
Half-Price Sale on Zierliana ziervogelina Item numbers”25488,30257,32052,28366,31653″
....25488...(4)...Zierlana anthracina Reeve, 1844....12 to 16 mm. F++. Very seldom offered! Shiny jet black tiny miters...Philippines...$15 (4 available)
....25488...(4)...Zierlana anthracina Reeve, 1844....12 to 16 mm. F++. Very seldom offered! Shiny jet black tiny miters...Philippines...$15 (4 available)
....30257...(1)...Zierliana ziervogelii Gmelin, 1791....26 mm. F++. Clean, black with fully developed, white toothed apperture...Philippines...$12 (1 available)
....30257...(1)...Zierliana ziervogelii Gmelin, 1791....26 mm. F++. Clean, black with fully developed, white toothed apperture...Philippines...$12 (1 available)
....32052...(1pr)...Zierliana ziervogeli Gmelin, 1791....26 mm. F+/F++. Good developmental pair shows growth of labial teeth...Philippines...$15 (1 pair available)
....32052...(1pr)...Zierliana ziervogeli Gmelin, 1791....26 mm. F+/F++. Good developmental pair shows growth of labial teeth...Philippines...$15 (1 pair available)
....28366...(3)...Zierliana ziervogelii Gmelin, 1791....24 mm. F++. Squat, cancellate & black, with contrasting white, well developed teeth...Philippines...$10 (3 available)
....28366...(3)...Zierliana ziervogelii Gmelin, 1791....24 mm. F++. Squat, cancellate & black, with contrasting white, well developed teeth...Philippines...$10 (3 available)
....12796...(1set)...Vexillum plicarium Linne, 1758....27, 37, 49 mm. F/F+. 3 piece growth/pattern series...Okinawa...$6 (1 set available)
....12796...(1set)...Vexillum plicarium Linne, 1758....27, 37, 49 mm. F/F+. 3 piece growth/pattern series...Okinawa...$6 (1 set available)
....15074...(2)...Vexillum citrinum Gmelin, 1791....62 - 66 mm. F++ Creamsicle colours! Bright orange and white spiral banded with no black lines...Philippines...$14 (2 available)
....15074...(2)...Vexillum citrinum Gmelin, 1791....62 - 66 mm. F++ Creamsicle colours! Bright orange and white spiral banded with no black lines...Philippines...$14 (2 available)
....15078...(1set)...Vexillum citrinum Gmelin, 1791....52 - 62 mm. F++. 6 piece set showing excellent variation...Philippines...$50 (1 set available)
....15078...(1set)...Vexillum citrinum Gmelin, 1791....52 - 62 mm. F++. 6 piece set showing excellent variation...Philippines...$50 (1 set available)
....15677...(+)...Vexillum sauvis Sowerby, 1859 ....5-6 mm. F++. Pink with lighter bands..Philippines...$3 for two (+ available)
....15677...(+)...Vexillum sauvis Sowerby, 1859 ....5-6 mm. F++. Pink with lighter bands..Philippines...$3 for two (+ available)
....15678...(+)...Vexillum micra Pilsbry, 1921 (formerly listed as Vexillum sp) ....5 - 7 mm. F+. Dark brown mini-mitres...Philippines...$3 (many)
....15678...(+)...Vexillum micra Pilsbry, 1921 (formerly listed as Vexillum sp) ....5 - 7 mm. F+. Dark brown mini-mitres...Philippines...$3 (many)
....15679...(8)...Vexillum suluense Adams & Reeve, 1850....6 - 8 mm. F+. Dark gray-brown with lighter bands..Philippines...$7 (8 available)
....15679...(8)...Vexillum suluense Adams & Reeve, 1850....6 - 8 mm. F+. Dark gray-brown with lighter bands..Philippines...$7 (8 available)
....16509...(7)...Vexillum pacificum Reeve, 1845....15 - 18 mm. F+. Cream with shoulder spines and a row of dark spots...Guam...$3 (7 available)
....16509...(7)...Vexillum pacificum Reeve, 1845....15 - 18 mm. F+. Cream with shoulder spines and a row of dark spots...Guam...$3 (7 available)
....18685...(2prs)...Vexillum cadaverosum Reeve, 1844....15 & 21 mm. F+/F++. Pairs. One each of the high & low spired forms...Samoa...$5 (2 pairs available)
....18685...(2prs)...Vexillum cadaverosum Reeve, 1844....15 & 21 mm. F+/F++. Pairs. One each of the high & low spired forms...Samoa...$5 (2 pairs available)
....18689...(1)...Vexillum coronatum Helbling, 1779....22 mm. F++. Pastel orange banded, with neat row of shoulder spines...Australia...$3 (1 available)
....18689...(1)...Vexillum coronatum Helbling, 1779....22 mm. F++. Pastel orange banded, with neat row of shoulder spines...Australia...$3 (1 available)
....18694...(4)...Vexillum pacificum Reeve, 1845....15 to 19 mm. F++. Short shoulder spines on cream with a few brown spots...Solomon Islands...$3 (4 available)
....18694...(4)...Vexillum pacificum Reeve, 1845....15 to 19 mm. F++. Short shoulder spines on cream with a few brown spots...Solomon Islands...$3 (4 available)
....19582...(1)...Pusia cancellaroides Anton, 1839....15 mm. F++. White and so nodulose it really looks like Cancellaridae...Polynesia...$5 (1 available)
....19582...(1)...Pusia cancellaroides Anton, 1839....15 mm. F++. White and so nodulose it really looks like Cancellaridae...Polynesia...$5 (1 available)
....19590...(1)...Vexillum michaudi Crosse & Fischer, 1864....18 mm. F++. High spired & heavily ribbed...Papua New Guinea...$4 (1 available)
....19590...(1)...Vexillum michaudi Crosse & Fischer, 1864....18 mm. F++. High spired & heavily ribbed...Papua New Guinea...$4 (1 available)
....19597...(3)...Vexillum vulpecula fm. jukesii Adams, 1853....35 to 40 mm. F+. Less common form...Australia...$8 (3 available)
....19898...(1)...Vexillum citrinum fm. filiareginae J. Cate, 1961....60 mm. F+. Striking pattern of orange & white bands with black accent lines...Philippines...$10 (1 available)
....19898...(1)...Vexillum citrinum fm. filiareginae J. Cate, 1961....60 mm. F+. Striking pattern of orange & white bands with black accent lines...Philippines...$10 (1 available)
....20806...(2)...Vexillum (Vexillum) crocatum Lamarck, 1811....14 to 15 mm. F++. Bright orange with white shoulder line...Philippines...$6 (2 available)
....20806...(2)...Vexillum (Vexillum) crocatum Lamarck, 1811....14 to 15 mm. F++. Bright orange with white shoulder line...Philippines...$6 (2 available)
....20808...(9)...Vexillum rubrum Broderip, 1836....5 to 6 mm. F+. Deep pink with dark lined white band. Would be impressive if it were larger...Philippines...$5 (9 available)
....20808...(9)...Vexillum rubrum Broderip, 1836....5 to 6 mm. F+. Deep pink with dark lined white band. Would be impressive if it were larger...Philippines...$5 (9 available)
....20809...(10)...Vexillum salisburyi Cernohorsky, 1976....8 to 10 mm. F+. Bright orange-pink...Philippines...$7 (10 available)
....20809...(10)...Vexillum salisburyi Cernohorsky, 1976....8 to 10 mm. F+. Bright orange-pink...Philippines...$7 (10 available)
....20811...(3)...Vexillum takakuwai Cernohorsky & Azuma, 1974....31 to 37 mm. F++. With fully developed parietal shield...Philippines...$12 (3 available)
....20811...(3)...Vexillum takakuwai Cernohorsky & Azuma, 1974....31 to 37 mm. F++. With fully developed parietal shield...Philippines...$12 (3 available)
....20812...(3)...Vexillum takakuwai Cernohorsky & Azuma, 1974....32 to 36 mm. F+. With three broken brown bands...Philippines...$9 (3 available)
....20812...(3)...Vexillum takakuwai Cernohorsky & Azuma, 1974....32 to 36 mm. F+. With three broken brown bands...Philippines...$9 (3 available)
....20879...(3pr)...Vexillum vulpecula Linne, 1758 (formerly listed as Vexillum formosense Sowerby III, 1889)....43 to 49 mm. F++. Reddish-brown with 2 white spiral lines...Philippines...$5 (3 pair available)
....20879...(3pr)...Vexillum vulpecula Linne, 1758 (formerly listed as Vexillum formosense Sowerby III, 1889)....43 to 49 mm. F++. Reddish-brown with 2 white spiral lines...Philippines...$5 (3 pair available)
....22124...(6)...Vexillum citrinum fm. filaereginae J. Cate, 1961....55 to 65 mm. F++. Classic specimens...Philippines...$7 (6 available)
....22124...(6)...Vexillum citrinum fm. filaereginae J. Cate, 1961....55 to 65 mm. F++. Classic specimens...Philippines...$7 (6 available)
....22400...(3)...Vexillum vulpecula fm. caffrum Linne, 1758....47 to 50 mm. F++. Almost completely black, like the most severe coffee, with cream spot on columella. Just add sugar!...Philippines...$8 (3 available)
....22400...(3)...Vexillum vulpecula fm. caffrum Linne, 1758....47 to 50 mm. F++. Almost completely black, like the most severe coffee, with cream spot on columella. Just add sugar!...Philippines...$8 (3 available)
....22401...(19)...Vexillum vulpecula Linne, 1758....35 to 40 mm. F+ to F++. Butter yellow with pink tints. Attractive!...Philippines...SPECIAL!...$4 new price (19 available)
....22401...(19)...Vexillum vulpecula Linne, 1758....35 to 40 mm. F+ to F++. Butter yellow with pink tints. Attractive!...Philippines...SPECIAL!...$4 new price (19 available)
....22434...(2)...Vexillum caffrum Linne, 1758....40 to 42 mm. F++. Cream & brown striped like a humbug!...Australia...$3 (2 available)
....22434...(2)...Vexillum caffrum Linne, 1758....40 to 42 mm. F++. Cream & brown striped like a humbug!...Australia...$3 (2 available)
....22442...(1prs)...Vexillum vulpecula Linne, 1758....40 to 50 mm. F++. Lovely pair, one in pastel yellow, the other pumpkin orange...Fiji...$7 (1 pair available)
....22442...(1prs)...Vexillum vulpecula Linne, 1758....40 to 50 mm. F++. Lovely pair, one in pastel yellow, the other pumpkin orange...Fiji...$7 (1 pair available)
....23757...(1)...Vexillum costatum Gmelin, 1791....39 mm. F++. Lovely pastel orange mottling...Philippines...$7 (1 available)
....23757...(1)...Vexillum costatum Gmelin, 1791....39 mm. F++. Lovely pastel orange mottling...Philippines...$7 (1 available)
....24547...(44)..Vexillum virgo Linne, 1767....17 to 20 mm. F+. Dark brown, deeply ridged, with a striking white mid-band...Philippines...$6 for 2 (44 available)
....24547...(44)..Vexillum virgo Linne, 1767....17 to 20 mm. F+. Dark brown, deeply ridged, with a striking white mid-band...Philippines...$6 for 2 (44 available)
....24963...(1)...Vexillum rubrocostatum Habe & Kosuge, 1966....24 mm. F (dead) Deep orange lined axial ribs, just a small dorsal borehole...Solomons...$5 (1 available)
....24963...(1)...Vexillum rubrocostatum Habe & Kosuge, 1966....24 mm. F (dead) Deep orange lined axial ribs, just a small dorsal borehole...Solomons...$5 (1 available)
....25383...(3)...Vexillum deshayesi Reeve, 1844....15 to 18 mm. F++. 3 golden-brown bands over heavy axial ribs...Solomon Islands...$3 (3 available)
....25383...(3)...Vexillum deshayesi Reeve, 1844....15 to 18 mm. F++. 3 golden-brown bands over heavy axial ribs...Solomon Islands...$3 (3 available)
....25385...(3)...Vexillum granosum Gmelin, 1791....28 to 29 mm. F++. Fine spiral grooves cut axial ribs into squarish granules...Solomon Islands...$3 (3 available)
....25385...(3)...Vexillum granosum Gmelin, 1791....28 to 29 mm. F++. Fine spiral grooves cut axial ribs into squarish granules...Solomon Islands...$3 (3 available)
....25390...(3)...Vexillum vulpecula fm. jukesii Adams, 1853....35 to 42 mm. F+. Much paler than the nominate form...Australia...$9 (3 available)
....25390...(3)...Vexillum vulpecula fm. jukesii Adams, 1853....35 to 42 mm. F+. Much paler than the nominate form...Australia...$9 (3 available)
....25488...(4)...Zierlana anthracina Reeve, 1844....12 to 16 mm. F++. Very seldom offered! Shiny jet black tiny miters...Philippines...$15 (4 available)
....25488...(4)...Zierlana anthracina Reeve, 1844....12 to 16 mm. F++. Very seldom offered! Shiny jet black tiny miters...Philippines...$15 (4 available)
....26053...(1)...Vexillum mirabile A. Adams, 1853....51 mm. F++. Excellent, brown spotted & speckled, fully grown example. Uncommon...Philippines...$15 (1 available)
....26053...(1)...Vexillum mirabile A. Adams, 1853....51 mm. F++. Excellent, brown spotted & speckled, fully grown example. Uncommon...Philippines...$15 (1 available)
....26495...(1)...Vexillum mirabile Adams, 1853....46 mm. F++. Elongate, elegant & intricately patterned in brown. Uncommon & darker than typical...Philippines...$19 (1 available)
....26495...(1)...Vexillum mirabile Adams, 1853....46 mm. F++. Elongate, elegant & intricately patterned in brown. Uncommon & darker than typical...Philippines...$19 (1 available)
....26559...(2)...Vexillum exasperatum Gmelin, 1791....23 to 27 mm. F++. Elegant! The axial ribs are fine lined brown on white...Papua New Guinea...$3 (2 available)
....26559...(2)...Vexillum exasperatum Gmelin, 1791....23 to 27 mm. F++. Elegant! The axial ribs are fine lined brown on white...Papua New Guinea...$3 (2 available)