The type of the genus: Liguus virgineus
(Linnaeus, 1758)

This is the only species of Liguus found on the island of Hispaniola, commonly called the "Virgin Liguus", 
it is avidly used by crafters in creation of shell art. The wholesale destruction of the forests and 
commercial overcollecting to supply the shell art trade will eventually be the demise of this mollusc.

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A Photo page of the Hispaniola Liguus

Note: The specimens of Liguus virgineus shown on this webpage were live collected 
at the specified localities. They have not been treated, boiled or bleached, thus protecting the 
very thin and pellucid periostracum. The typical specimens, sold for crafts or at souvenir
shops, have been boiled and bleached or found dead. This processing washes out some
of the more delicate colors and shadings.

The following is a synopsis of information on the type genus
for; type locality, holotype depository and publication of description.

Liguus virgineus (Linnaeus, 1758) -
Type locality: Hispaniola (Africae fluviis) [Rivers of Africa]
Holotype: Unknown [non designated ?]
Description: Linnaeus, C. V. (Linne'), 1758, Systema Naturae, species 407 [Buccinum virgineu].
In the twelfth edition of Systema Naturae, 1767, Linnaeus transferred the species to [Bulla virginea],
species 390.

Special thanks to Dr. Harry Lee for the above information based on some of his personal research.

Notes on the L. virginieus: 

- The Liguus virgineus, shown on this page, display few character differences such as;
   dark grey apex or protoconch, dark grey apertures, white apex or protoconch, white aperture, varying
   convexity of whorls and elongation. The characters all seem to be present within a colony and not as a
   variation from colony to colony.
 
- If you compare the treated shells with the live collected specimens you can note the loss of tan/brown
  color shades, loss of other colors, diminished color brightness in the treated shells and that many of the
  the more intense tans and browns become bluish gray after treating.

- Some specimens of live collected Liguus virgineus from Haiti displayed on this page were kindly
  donated by Mr. Pete Krull of Florida.

- Locality: The Liguus virginieus is only found on Hispaniola, a Caribbean island, located East of Cuba.
  The Island is divided into two countries; Haiti [Western part of the island] and Dominican Republic 
   [Eastern part of the island]. The Hispaniola Liguus habitat [host trees], geographical features
   and climate are much the same as that of Cuba. 

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