The most popular of all families, mainly because the shells are glossy, often brightly coloured and pleasant to touch. They are certainly among the most perfect aesthetic creations among marine animals. The majority of species have long-floating veligers, so that apart from a few groups, cowries have a wide range. Such gave rise to a multitude of different populations and apart from the approximately 200 valid species, several thousand subspecies or forms have been described. Most famous in nomenclature are the works of Schilder and Schilder and their names are used by scientists and dealers. It has to be pointed out that the Schilders used nomenclature in their very own personal way. Most often, their nomenclature reflects shells coming from a given area and not the relationship between phena. We here attempt to list their names, together with some explanatory notes, based on their work from 1938. All this has no taxonomic value. We also apply several of the names advanced by L.M.S. Raybaudi that are now generally used by collectors. Some of these are absolutely valid and based on correct descriptions. We leave it open to scientists and/or collectors to judge about the other names and want to avoid any polemic on this subject. Niger and Rostrated - information on this group is available in the above mentioned literature. The degree of Niger means the degree of black in the shell: 100 % niger means apart from the base, completely black. Rostration is the deformation, the cause of which has remained unknown so far. South African Cowries - These are quite endemic because of their particular way of reproduction and show a large diversity in shape and form within one species. Until very recently most of these cowries were only known from eroded shells picked up on beaches. Since the eighties divers specialised in the collection of them and have brought to light marvellous beauties. Zoilas - With this term collectors mean the larger endemic Australian cowries. They come in a multitude of species, subspecies and forms and are an endless pleasure to most cowry collectors. Zoilas have the particularity to be extremely common on the market and to disappear abruptly shortly after their discovery: this is when divers or trawlers stop collecting on a particular spot. Some of the species remain common throughout, others are never found again. A few Zoilas have been trawled by Taiwanese fishermen only. West African Cowries - A complex of species living between the Canary Islands and Angola. They are extremely variable and sometimes endemic. Specialised collections even contain hybrids (!?) between C. petitiana and several other species such as angelicae or zonaria. Of course, the family contains many of the most famous shells from the world.

For a list of genera and species:
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=23022