Author Archives: José H. Leal

Shell of the Week: The Dimpled Wentletrap

Opalia morchiana (Dall, 1889) reaches about 12 mm in length. The species has a tall shell profile, with a variable number of wider axial ribs on each whorl and a large number of very small spiral cords crossed by finer axial ridges, which impart a pitted or dimpled aspect to the entire shell surface. The aperture is oval, uninterrupted, with a thick apertural lip. Former shell growth stops are indicated by a succession of irregularly spaced varices. Opalia morchiana is found between the depths o

Shell of the Week: The Dwarf Gaza

Microgaza rotella (Dall, 1881) reaches about 8 mm in length. The species has a depressed (low-profile) shell, which is unusual for a member of the family Solariellidae. The spire is low, and the only sculptural feature present other than growth lines is a series of short raised ridge-like bumps just below the suture (the line between two whorls.) The base has strong axial raised ridges that are stronger toward the deep umbilicus. The shell has a cream color with faint salmon-orange, irregular ba

Three Drills and One Cantharus

Some of the shells you’ll find on the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva are relatively similar. Take, for instances, three local species of drills and one drill-look-alike. The image shows photos of the shells and egg capsules of, in clockwise direction from bottom left, the Gulf Oyster Drill (Vokesinotus perrugatus), the Mauve-mouth Drill (Calotrophon ostrearum), the Sharp-ribbed Drill (Eupleura sulcidentata), all members of the family Muricidae, and the non-drilling Ribbed Cantharus (Hesperistern

Shell of the Week: The Rostrate Rocellaria

Spengleria rostrata (Spengler, 1783) reaches about 30 mm in length. Its shell is relatively elongate, with a triangular raised area spanning from the beak to the posterior region. That triangular area is festooned with transversal ridges. The shell color is white, with a yellowish periostracum. Rocellarias bore into empty shells and corals, and their burrows are distinguished by typical figure-eight-shaped holes.

Shell of the Week: The Keys Top Snail

Calliostoma adelae Schwengel, 1951 reaches about 40 mm in height, and has a moderately wide spire angle. The shell sculpture consists of finely beaded spiral cords that alternate with narrower threads in the last shell whorls. There are about 2–3 cords with larger, lighter-colored beads above the suture (the boundary between two whorls), the umbilicus is moderately large, umbilicus wall cream-colored, bordered by one larger-beaded cord. The shell color is yellowish-brown, with a pattern of diffu

That Snail is Back in Florida

The Giant African Snail, Lissachatina fulica, has returned for another “visit” to the Sunshine State. The species is native to East Africa, but has been introduced to many other parts of the world via the pet trade, as a food resource, and by accidental introduction, most likely with ornamental plants. Authorities believe that the current invasion, first detected in New Port Richey, Pasco County, results from the illegal pet trade. Giant African Snails first invaded the Miami area in 1966, and w

Shell of the Week: The Gulfstream Top Snail

Calliostoma scalenum Quinn, 1992 reaches about 40 mm in height, and has a moderately narrow spire angle. The shell sculpture consists of finely beaded spiral cords that are intercalated with alternating narrower threads in the last shell whorls. There is a relatively large number of cords on the shell base, the umbilicus is relatively small, umbilicus wall white, bordered by a couple of larger beaded cords. The shell color is light-brown, with a pattern of whitish crescent-shaped spots on the wh

Shell of the Week: The Spathate Scallop

Cryptopecten phrygium (Dall, 1886) lives off the Eastern Seaboard of the US, from Massachusetts to Florida, from 42°N to 18°N, at depths between 90 to 190 m (300 to 620 ft). Its distribution range includes the Gulf of Mexico, where it is relatively common at those depths. The shell color is very variable in this species, including variations of light-gray and magenta patterns. The sculpture consists of 14–20 radial ribs, which are in turn superimposed by narrower riblets, which are also present

Museum Collection in InvertEBase

This week, the Museum collection data set was integrated into InvertEBase. InvertEBase is a specimen data portal supporting a growing network of natural history collections focused on the study of invertebrate animals, with the exception of terrestrial arthropods (insects, spiders, and relatives). InvertEBase provides a mechanism for network members to manage, enhance, and share biodiversity data and associated images with scientists and the general public. Most partner institutions are based in

Shell of the Week: The Dall Turbonilla

Turbonilla dalliBush, 1899, reaches 9 mm (about 0.4 inches). The shell is slender, thin, glassy, and white. The whorls are convex, with about 10–20 slanted and curved axial ribs per whorl. The axial ribs are interrupted at base of body whorl. This is one among at least 20 species of the highly diverse microgastropod genus Turbonilla found on the beaches of SW Florida.