Mollusks

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 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

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

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.

Shell of the Week: The Atlantic Yellow Cowrie

Naria acicularis(Gmelin, 1791), reaches 31 mm (about 1.2 inches). The shell is very variable in coloration and shape, but with a general coloration of yellow to tan with whitish or darker spots. The base and apertural “teeth” are white. The species has a broad distribution in the tropical western Atlantic (but is not present in SW Florida) and is related and relatively similar to the recent Caribbean invasive Trush Cowrie (Naria turdus), and must not be confused with the latter, which tends to b

Shell of the Week: The Alternate-ribbed Scallop

In my opinion, the Alternate-ribbed Scallop, Caribachlamys mildredae(F.M. Bayer, 1941), is one of the most elegant species in the diverse scallop family Pectinidae. The species reaches 40 mm (about 1.6 inches). The anterior auricle (“ear-like” expansion near shell beak) is larger than the posterior one. In addition, the left valve is more compressed than the right one, and the shell sculpture pattern is complex, with ribs on the surface of the left valve bearing distinctive scale-like projection

A Cool Ovulid

Rotaovula hirohitoi is a species of the family Ovulidae (also known as “false cowries”) that inhabits the waters of Japan and the western Pacific Ocean, including the Philippine Islands. The species was named by Cate and Azuma to honor Emperor Hirohito, Japan’s longest-reigning emperor (1926–1989), who was also a marine biologist and malacologist. The delicate, elegant shell is very ornate, with nodules and projections that may impart structural strength. The color pattern includes from two to f

The Flamboyant Cuttlefish

Here are a couple of images of one of our charming Flamboyant Cuttlefish. Unlike most other cephalopods, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Metasepia pfefferi, are active during the day, hunting small invertebrates. Native to the eastern Indian Ocean and Southwest Pacific, Flamboyant Cuttlefish are highly resilient, and their outgoing behavior and ability to incessantly change color patterns make them one of the favorites with visitors. Visit the Museum’s Living Gallery to learn more about the Flamboyant Cu

Shell of the Week: The Smith Nutmeg

Axelella smithii (Dall, 1888), reaches 17 mm (about 0.7 inches). The shell is relatively thick and the shell sculpture includes about 8–10 raised axial (“vertical”) ribs per whorl. The ribs are separated by wider interspaces, and are crossed by alternating stronger and weaker, raised spiral cords. The color is variable, ranging from whitish-yellow to orangish-brown. The interior of the aperture is usually of lighter color and bears spiral threads. And the protoconch is brown, smooth, bulbous, wi