Shell of the Week: The Smith’s Nutmeg
Axelella smithii reaches 17 mm (about 0.7 inches). The shell is relatively thick and the shell sculpture includes about 8–10 raised...
Mollusks
Shell of the Week: The Chalcedony Phos
Antillophos chalcedonius is a relatively small (reaching 17 mm, or about 0.67 inch) gastropod, that displays a shell sculpture of strong spiral (“revolving”) threads and well-spaced axial (“vertical”) ridges. The color pattern shows variations of a white background and brownish patches that are more-or-less aligned with the axial ridges. The species is found throughout the eastern Gulf of Mexico, Florida Keys, Bahamas, and the Caribbean Basin southward to Colombia. Antillophos chalcedonius was d
Shell of the Week: The Intricate Phos
Bailya intricata is a small but attractive gastropod that reaches only 18 mm (about 0.7 inch). Its shell sculpture presents 14–36 axial (“vertical”) ribs crossed by spiral lines, with beads forming at the intersections. The shell color is an even cream-yellowish- to light-brown. The species is found off Florida, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. This species may be difficult to distinguish from the Small Phos (Bailya parva), a species with similar geographic distribution; this latter, howev
The Amazing Cuttlefish Eye
[I published this blog piece originally on June 25, 2021. Since then, it became the most read item in the “Curator’s Corner.” Here it is again, for your enjoyment.]The wavy, or w-shaped cuttlefish eye has been recently in the news, as scientists keep researching the unique features and properties of cephalopod eyes. Cuttlefish eyes can perform functions that are similar to those in vertebrates, such as the refined three-dimensional vision that allows them to accurately estimate distance and spee
The Mighty Queen Helmet
Cassis madagascariensis is one of the largest species of mollusks living in the shallow, clean waters of the tropical western Atlantic Ocean, including Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. This spectacular mollusk, which can reach more than 40 cm (about 16 inches) in length, is a member of the family Cassidae of helmet and bonnet snails.As shown in the photo above, helmet snails feed on sea urchins and sea biscuits such as the Long-spined Sea Biscuit (Plagiobrissus grandis). During feeding, Queen Hel
Shell of the Week: The Obscure Dwarf Triton
Colubraria testacea is a marine snail that grows to about 50 mm (about 2 inches). Colubraria species are found in tropical shallow seas and are known to feed (usually at night) on blood from reef fish, in particular parrot fishes of the family Scaridae. The western Atlantic Obscure Dwarf Triton is found from eastern Florida south to the Caribbean and the coast of eastern Brazil and, as the vernacular name suggests, resembles a small triton shell.#colubrariatestacea #obscuredwarftriton #colubrari
Shell of the Week: The Atlantic Gray Cowrie
The Atlantic Gray Cowrie (Luria cinerea) is a relatively common species of Cowrie inhabiting shallow coral reef areas in the tropical western Atlantic. The species is not found, however, on the coast of Southwest Florida. As happens with most species from the cowrie family (Cypraeidae), the Atlantic Gray Cowrie bears planktonic larvae. Their offspring drift in the sea until metamorphosis to their adult, bottom-crawling lives.The larval shell is very distinctive from the adult one in this and oth
Shell of the Week: The Blood Ark
Lunarca ovalis is an ark clam that stands out because of its heavy fur-like periostracum, or outermost shell layer. Reaching 64 mm (about 2.5 inches), its shell is inflated, oval, and is almost as long as it is high, being one of the shorter ark clams in Florida. As with most members of the family Arcidae, the shell bears a number of radial ribs. The vernacular (“common”) name of this species refers to the color of its blood, imparted by the presence of a form of hemoglobin. The latter helps imp
Shell of the Week: The Four-ribbed Lucine
Pleurolucina leucocyma reaches 7 mm (about 0.28 inch) in length. Its shell is unusually shaped (like a "warped triangle”) and bears 3 or 4 thick radial ribs crossed by fine commarginal (“concentric”) lines. The color is cream to off-white. The species is found off North Carolina, both coasts of Florida, Gulf of Mexico, and the Bahamas. #pleurolucinaleucocyma #lucinidae #drytortugas #lucinaleucocyma
A Hungry Giant Triton!
Check this Giant Triton (Monoplex parthenopeus), happily feasting on a clam in the Focal Tank at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium. Its proboscis is deep inside the clam shell! Giant Tritons feed on other mollusks. The species is relatively common in the western Atlantic and is also present in parts of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Notice the lush, hair-like periostracum, or outer shell layer and its “polka-dot” spotted mantle, foot, and proboscis! This particular individual