Tag: seashells

SHELL OF THE MONTH – MAY 2019

Trona stercoraria (Linnaeus, 1758) by diver at night, low tide in seaweed at 3 meters, M’bour, Senegal
Trona stercoraria (Linnaeus, 1758) dwarf. by diver on rocks at 10 meters, Gulf of Guinae, Limbe, Cameroon

Trona stercoraria (Linnaeus, 1758) is a popular cowrie among collectors due to its extreme variability in size, shape, color and even pattern. Its common name the Rat Cowry or Droppings Cowry. Certain populations have overcastings that make for bizarre specimens which may look as if they were infected by disease (and possibly they are). These are common in some locations.
Even with all the variation stercoraria is easily recognized and can’t be confused with any other cypraea. Its coloration could be considered drab (mousy, hence the name Rat). It is certainly not flashy. Typical specimens have a mocha colored base with dark brown chiseled teeth. The dorsum is similar in color and covered with blurred brown blotches. Some specimens are light, others dark in color. Scarce specimens have a largely clear dorsum, others with an irregular pattern while the occasional one has the blotches fused to almost sold and even scarcer almost black. The margins are calloused and both extremities are rostrate. Sizes run from extreme dwarfs of 1″ to giants of about 3.75”. The majority fall between 2 and 2.5″. While typically rhomboid, sone specimens are oval.
There are populations with an extreme hump that were named Trona stercoraria rattus (Lamarck, 1810). Linnaeus call the dwarfs “minima”. Even with all the variation the vast majority have the patterns and shape of the two offered here.
Trona stercoraria is a West African cowry with a restricted range below the Bulge of Africa. Most specimens come from the Gulf of Guinea. It is fairly common in this area and lives in a variety of shallow water habitats.
The two shells were donated by Richard Kent and were obtained from European dealers. Average sized specimens retail for $20-25, dwarfs though much scarcer somewhat less. Large ones go for over $30. Giants and unusual specimens can be found on eBay from $60 to over $300. In fact there is one very dark 95mm specimen with blueish borders listed for sale at $520!

SHELL OF THE MONTH – APRIL 2019

Our April Shell of the Month is for the shell crafters. It is a set of 20 Cypraea vitellus Linn, 1758 commonly know as the Calf Cowry. Cypraea vitellus is one of the most common medium sized cowries, It inhabits the reef in shallow water throughout the entire Indo-Pacific region. It’s a fawn colored shell  covered with white spots. The margins have closely spaced thin vertical whitish lines. T here is little variation in size and pattern. The shell is immediately recognizable. Juveniles are banded, the banding covered over as the shell matures.
These shells were purchased in bulk and came with no collection date. I imagine these twenty will be turned into wonderful little critters or whatever the shell crafter may imagine.
Donated by Richard Kent. Next month we shall return to specimen shells.

February Program

Our Program for February is Dr. Thomas Annesley,

Thomas Annesley is “Active Professor Emeritus” at the University of Michigan and Deputy Editor of the journal Clinical Chemistry. He has always had an interest in oceanography and spent summers in California, where his uncle dropped Tom off at the coastal tidepools on his way to work and the picked Tom up on his way home.

Tom has been listed in Who’s Who in Medicine Academia, Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, and Who’s Who in America. He has published more than 200 articles and presented more than 175 invited lectures in 10 countries.

At the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum Tom does public lectures, beach walks and the live tank talks. He is also President of the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club.

The title of his talk is “Cone Snails, Tennis Rackets, Pain Medications, and the Broward Shell Show”

Tom’s presentation will focus on scientific discoveries involving cone snails and their toxins. But as with many advances in science, there are elements of luck, happenstance, intrigue, mistakes, and creating lemonade out of lemons that contribute to the story. Dr. Annesley will show us how the supposedly unrelated topics of tennis, pain medications, and even the Broward Shell Show fit into the story of cone snails.

September Program

Biography:

My name is Michelot Michel, a South Florida native, and first-generation Haitian-American. I grew up in Miami as an only child. Without any siblings to amuse me, I developed a curious mind for the world around me. As I grew older, this curiosity transformed into an immense appreciation for science and discovery. I later attended high school at Maritime and Science Technology (MAST) Academy because of its strong marine science and college preparatory program. My time at MAST allowed me to explore my love for science while developing a desire for community service. This led me to pursue a career in medicine as it effortlessly combined my passion for science, discovery, and service. Four years later, I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences with Honors, having completed several research projects that encompassed biomedical sciences and marine conservation. After graduating from college, I joined the EM Papper Clinical Immunology Lab at the Miami VA Medical Center as a Clinical Research Assistant. My work currently focuses on elucidating molecular markers and therapeutic targets for immune-related disorders such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Gulf War Illness. The latter of which is focused directly on the US military veteran population who served in the Gulf War. As of late, I am in the process of applying to medical school, where I hope to continue my pursuit of a medical career filled with service and the advancement of knowledge.

Synopsis of Research:

The Environmental Epigenetics lab at Florida International University is a research group devoted to understanding the epigenetic mechanisms in marine organisms in response to changing environmental conditions. Epigenetics is defined as the study of heritable phenotype changes that do not involve changes in the DNA sequence. Some notable epigenetic mechanisms include histone modifications, DNA methylation, and RNA silencing. This particular study aimed to characterize the seasonal patterns in DNA methylation in the gill tissue of the flat tree oyster (Isognomon alatus) and its response to temperature, pH and salinity variations in Miami’s Northern Biscayne Bay. The results of this work will help pave the way for expanding environmental epigenetic analyses and their application to the management and conservation of diverse ecologically and commercially relevant marine species.

 

SHELL OF THE MONTH – OCTOBER 2017

Harpa harpa (Linnaeus, 1758) in sand at 10m by local fishermen, Pag Asa Island, Palawan, Philippines (left) inside reef at 10-15m by local divers, Bohol, Philippines (right)

Many collectors consider the harps to be the most beautiful of all shells. With their stately shape, complex sculpturing, intricate patters, coordinated color scheme and mid size, they live up to the claim.
The Harps are a small family that inhabit tropical waters, with the majority found in Philippine and Pacific waters. Harpa harpa, Linnaeus 1758, commonly called the Noble Harp is the namesake species and our shell of the month. We have two specimens, similar in size and although at first glance they appear nearly identical a close inspection will reveal many differences. Harpa harpa has about a dozen ribs with spines on the posterior end. Between the spines are fine groves with rows of chevron patterns. Distinguishing marks from the other harps are the groups of 2 or 3 fine black lines hat cross the ribs and the three brown blotches on the base.
Harps are carniverous and feed on small crabs and shrimp. They burrow in the sand and live in moderate depths.
These specimens, are both in gem condition with mature lips. They are from the collection of Richard Kent.

SHELL OF THE MONTH – JUNE 2017

Tutufa rubeta Linnaeus, 1758
by divers on coral reef at 15-20m
Poro Island, Camotes, Cebu
Philippines

Shells from the family Bursidae are commonly known as “Frog Shells.” The inhabit the tropial seas and live in the coral reefs. As such, they can end up encrusted with coral growths making them well camouflaged and difficult to cleanup. Tutufa rubeta, Linne, 1758 is but one of the many varieties of frog shells found in the Philippines. Relatively few specimens reach the market making Bursa a challenging family to collect.
Bursa are heavy for their size, are beige or tan in color and interesting detail in their mouth or aperture. Tutufa rubeta is named for its red mouth, although only young specimens exhibit the red coloring. The larger the specimen, the paler the mouth. This specimen is about 4″. Occasional specimens grow to just over 5″. This one was live collected and comes with the preserved operculum.
The most sought our member of the family is Tutufa Bubo Linne, 1758 which grows to a whopping 10″.
Donated from the collection of Richard Kent

2014 AUCTION LISTING

BROWARD SHELL CLUB AUCTION

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

At the Pompano Beach Emma Lou Olson Civic Center

 Auction Preview 6:15 p.m.  Bidding Begins 6:45 p.m.

NOTE:  Items marked with an asterisk (*) can be viewed on the club’s website

1.   3 Bahamian Tellins, Tellina listeri, Tellina magna and Tellina w/data

2.   5 Fossilized Brachiopods, no data

*3.   Chlamys sentoria nobilis w/data, bright orange, Japan

4.   Poirieria nuttingi w/data, Florida

5.   2 Conus regius w/data, Bahamas

6.   4 Janthina pallida w/data, Dania Beach, FL

7.   2 Drupa morum w/data, Huge!  One cleaned and one not! New Caledonia

8.   Conus virgo w/data, Philippines

9.   Siratus alabaster w/data, Taiwan

10. Conus vexillum w/data, Philippines

11. Conus magus w/data, NE Queensland, Australia

12. 2 Turbo intercostalis w/data, Hawaii

13. Turbo cornutus w/data Neat Specimen! Japan

14. 4 Turbo castanea w/data, all different forms and locales, FL, Bahamas & Venezuela

15. Chlamys sentoria nobilis w/data purple, Japan

16. 3 Caribachlamys sentis w/data, Bahamas

17. Aequipecten glyptus w/data, Gulf of Mexico

18. 3 Oliva reticularis w/data, 3 different locales, Bonaire, Bimini & Grand Bahama

19. 1 Chicoreus elliscrossi & 1 Chicoreus superbus, both w/data, Philippines

*20. Amaea magnifica w/ basic data 100mm Nice specimen!

21. Busycon perversum sinistrum 2/data, Florida, Our Club’s shell!

22. Cypraea talpa w/ great old data, Papua-New Guinea

23. Onustus caribaeus w/data Gulf of Mexico

24. Old Style Broward Shell Club T-Shirt, Vintage Collector’s Item!!  Size Medium

25. Old Style Broward Shell Club T-Shirt, Vintage Collector’s Item!!  Size Large

26.  Ladies Aqua & Pink Florida Shells T-shirt, Size Large

27. 1 issue of Acta Conchyliorum from March, 1992 on Cones

28. Books: Florida Marine Shells, by Vilas & Vilas, lovely old collector’s item, 1952

and Shell Collector’s Handbook by A.H. Verrill , 1950, loose binding

29. Book: Pacific Coast Nudibranchs by D.W. Behrens

30. 1 issue of Gulfshore Life, and A Preliminary list of South African Marine Shells

31. Stationery set w/ocean design

32. Books: Simon & Schuster’s Guide to Shells and Audubon Society Guide to North     

American Seashells

33. Books: Seashells by R.T. Abbott and Seashells of the World Golden Guide

34. Books: Field Guide to Shells, Atlantic & Gulf Coast by P.A. Morris and Seashells                                                                                            

by R.T. Abbott

35. Books: Shelling & Beachcombing in Southern & Caribbean Waters by Gary

Magnotte and Seashells of North America Golden Guide

36. Books: A Catalogue of Recent Mollusca by Walter F. Webb and A Field Guide to

the Shells by Percy Morris

37. An assortment of new plastic boxes and cases

38. Goody bags from Captiva C.O.A. 1997 and Suncoast C.O.A. 2009

39. Haliotis kamtschatkana w/data Washington state, USA.

40. 10 Chlamys rubidus w/full data from research project, San Juan Island, Washington

41. Antigona multicostata w/data Baja California, Mexico

42. 4 Chlamys hastata w/data Puget Sound, Washington

43. 3 Acmaea mitra and 4 Acmaea persona both w/data, Washington State, USA

44. 3 species of threatened fresh water mussels: Lampsilis cardium, Lampsilis radiata

siliquoidea & c.f. Elliptio complanata w/basic data, U.S. river systems

45. 2 Conus murabilis w/data India

46. 2 Conus tessulatus w/data India

47. Conus nielsenae reductaspiralis w/data Western Australia

48. Conus amadis castaneofasciatus w/data Thailand

49. Euspira lewisii w/data, Puget Sound, Washington

50. Conus janus w/data East Africa

51. Hemifusus tuba w/data Japan

52. Charonia variegata 4 specimen growth series, all w/data, Bahamas & Bonaire

53. Scaphella dohrni w/data, off Marco Island, Florida

54. 2 Scaphella junonia 1 baby and 1 adult, both w/data, Florida

55. 2 Canarium urceus incisus w/data, Phillipines

56. Strombus decoris decorus w/data, Thailand

57. Polystira tellea w/data, Key West, Florida

58. Polymita picta roseolimbata w/data, Cuba

59. 2 Conus purpurascens w/data, Costa Rica

60. 2 Architectonica nobilis w/basic data, Florida

61. Framed print of a Sand Dollar on Fabric

62. 3-Dimensional Framed Fabric Print of Scallop Shell

63. Framed Fabric Print of Nautilus shell

64. Signed & numbered print of Lighthouses of Georgia, N. Carolina and S. Carolina,

still in protective wrap w/ original price of $30.00

*65. Orange spondylus on Black Hammer Oyster, no data, oyster has chip on backside,

stunning decorator item

66. Bamboo Coral no data, opening bid $5.00

67. Lavender Stylaster Coral no data, opening bid $10.00

68. Brown Hydrocoral w/data, opening bid $5.00

69. Lavender Stylaster Coral no data, opening bid $10.00

70. 2 Murex pinnatus w/data, Taiwan

71. 6 Cypraea cinerea w/data, Florida

72. 3 Morum watanabei growth series w/data, Philippines opening bid $10.00

73.  Manupecten pesfelis w/data, Canary Islands

74. 2 Conus granarius w/data, Columbia

*75. Ficus gracilis w/data, Philippines, gorgeous!

76.  Syrinx aruanus no data

77.  Dolomena variabilis variabilis w/data Philippines

78. Voluta lapponica w/data, Sri Lanka

79. Conus mus w/data Bimini, Bahamas

80. 9 different specimen quality shells from Indonesia, donated by dealer Stephen MT,

unfortunately no I.D.’s or data

81. Cryptochiton stelleri w/data Washington, state, U.S.A.

*82. Cypraea teuleri w/data, ex: Don Bosch collection, Gulf of Oman

83. 3 Cypraea hungerfordi w/data, China

84. Cancellaria mercadoi w/data, Philippines

85. Ceratostoma foliatum w/data, Washington state, U.S.A.

86. Cypraea camelopardalis w/data, Red Sea

87. Haliotis kamtschatkana w/data, Washington state, U.S.A.

88. 2 Cancellaria cancellata w/data, Spain

89. 5 Diodora aspera w/data, Washingon state, U.S.A.

90.  Cypraea pulchella w/data, Burma, 37 mm.

91. 8 Tivela mactroides w/data, growth series, Brazil

92. Conus marmoreus w/data Philippines

93.  9 Nucella lamellosa w/data, varied colors, Washington state, U.S.A.

94. 3 Calliostoma annulatum w/data Washington state, U.S.A.

95. 2 Canarium mutabilis w/data Madagascar

96. Bag of fossilized shark’s teeth

97. Onustus caribaeus w/data,  Florida Keys

98. 3 Tellinella listeri w/data, Bahamas

99. Conus biliosus w/data, India

100. 3 Agaronia murrha, w/data, Costa Rica

101. Book: The Living Cowries by C.M. Burgess, beautifully inscribed to the South

Florida Shell Club in memory of Eunice G. Williams in 1970

102. Book: Living Shells by Charles Rawlings, brand new copy!

103. Book: Handbook for Shells Collectors by Walter F. Webb

104. Book: Shells and Shell Collecting by S. Peter Dance

105. Book: Australian Shells by Wilson & Gillet

106. Book: All Color Book of Seashells by J.M. Clayton

107. Book: The Living Cowries by C.M. Burgess

108. Book: Panamic Marine Shells by Maxwell Smith, 1944

109. Book: Marine Mollusca of the Eastern Coast of North America: Their Names &

Meanings by Henry Poirier

110. Book: An Illustrated Catalog of the Recent Species of the Rock Shells by Maxwell

Smith

111. Book: Florida Marine Shells by Vilas and Vilas

112. Book: East Coast Marine Shells by Maxwell Smith, 1945

113. Book: Sea Shells of the World with Values by Gordon Melvin

114. Book: Shells by Roderick Cameron

115. T-Shirt, size large from C.O.A., Jacksonville, FL, 1992

116. Astralium stellare w/data Australia

117. Callista maculata w/data, Panama City, Florida

118. Bolma girgylla w/basic data, Philippines

119. Brown Paper Nautilus, no data

120. 2 Murex beaui w/data, Cape San Blas

121. “Angaria Trio” Angaria delphinus melanacantha  Philippines,

Angaria nodosa Japan & Angaria aculeata Philippines, all w/basic data

122. Fusitriton oregonensis w/data San Juan Islands, Washington

123. Strombus iredalei w/data Western Australia

124. Phenacovolva pseudogracilis w/data, Japan

*125. Conus gloriamaris w/data, Philippines, 100mm,  Opening bid $20.00

126. Mitra cardinalis w/data Philippines

127. Aquipecten superbus w/data Philippines

128. Chicoreus cichoreum w/Spondylus attached, no data

129. Japelion pericochlion w/basic data, Japan

130. Lopha cristagalli cluster w/basic data, Indo-Pacific

131. Homolocantha tortua w/data, Ecuador

132. 2 Conus purperascens w/data Costa Rica

133. Conus leopardus w/data, a big boy fromVanuatu!

134. Chicoreus erythrostomus w/data Costa Rica

135.  Sand Dollar Necklace

136. 2 Doxander vittatus vittatus w/basic data, South China Sea

137. Fusinus dowianus w/data, Gulf of Mexico

138. 3 Tridacna squamosa, growth series w/data, Philippines

139. 2 Fenimorea halidorema w/data Bahamas

140. Euprotomus aratrum w/basic data, juvenile, South China Sea

141. Conus striatus w/data, Zanzibar, East Africa

*142. Murex tribulus w/basic data, Philippines

143. Phalium flammiferum w/data, Japan

144. Doxander campbelli w/data, Western Australia

145. File Shell Duo!  Ctenoides mitis w/data, Miami & Ctenoides scabra w/data, Miami

*146. Calliotectum smithi w/basic data, Philippines

147. Pleuroploca trapezium w/data, Philippines

148. Busycon coarctatum w/data Campeche, Mexico

149. Penion waitei w/data, Tasmania

150. 4 Cardita affinis w/data, Costa Rica

151. Conus mustelinus w/data, Singapore

152. Hexaplex chicoreum w/basic data, Philippines

153. Hexaplex radix w/data, Costa Rica

154. Hexaplex rosarium w/data Cape Verde Islands

155. 3 species of Florida Whelks!  Busycon perversum sinistrum, Busycon carica,

Busycon spratum pyruloides, all w/data, all from Florida

156. Cassis tuberosa w/data, Bimini, Bahamas

157. Strombus costatus 3 ways!  1 normal, 1 dwarf and 1 albino, all w/data, all from the

Bahamas

158. Vasum muricatum w/data, with coral encrusted spire, Florida Keys

159. Fasciolarium tulipa w/data, Goodland, Florida

160. 4 Mitra lens w/data, Costa Rica

161. 2 Strombus vittatus w/data, Australia

162. Canarium mutabilis w/data, Philippines

163. Strombus decorus decorus w/data, Thailand

164. Margostrombus marginatus robusta w/data, South China Sea

165. Conus miles w/data, Tanzania, Africa

166. Opeatostoma pseudodon w/data, Costa Rica

167.  3 Olivancillaria gibbosa w/data, Sri Lanka

168. Murexiella macgintyi w/data, Miami

169. 4 Cittarium pica w/data growth series, Bimini, Bahamas

170. Conus mustellinus w/data, Solomon Islands

171. 3 Caribochlamys sentis w/data. 2 orange and 1 purple, Miami

172. 3 Chicoreus florifer dilectus w/data, Marco Island, FL

173. Strombus campbelli w/data Australia

174. Dolomena variabilis variabilis w/data, Philippines

175. Amiantis callosa w/data California

176. Bursa bufo w/data, Philippines

177. Telescopium telescopium w/data, Philippines

178. Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club t-shirt, size large

179. 3 Cassis tuberosa w/data, growth series, Dania Beach, FL

180. 2 Species of Babylonia!  Babylonia japonicus and Babylonia borneensis, basic

data only, Taiwan

181. Carved Bonnet Shell

182. Melo amphora, w/basic data only, Indonesia

183. Homolocantha zamboi w/basic data

184. Really cool Sea Urchin!

185. Florida & Bahamian Cones…a comparison of seven different species!  All w/data

186. 9 Spathochlamys benedicti w/data Tampa, FL

187. An assortment of 9 lovely Indonesian shells donated by a dealer. Unfortunately no

data

188. Lyncina camelopardalis w/basic data, Red Sea

189. 2 Cantharus undosus w/basic data, Philippines

190. Sinovacula constricta w/basic data, Taiwan

191. Haustellum langleitae w/basic data, Sumatra

192. Conus villepinii fosteri w/data Tampa, FL

193. Pteropurpura bequaerti w/data Tampa, FL

194. Pleuroplaca trapezium w/data Philippines

195. Pleuroplaca granosa w/data, Costa Rica

196. Turbinella angulata w/data, Bahamas

197. Conus striatus w/data, Philippines

198. Chicoreus virgineus w/data Oman

199. “2 species of Vasum”:  Vasum muricatum w/data, Florida Keys, & Vasum

capitellum w/data, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

200. Lambis lambis w/data, Philippines

201. Spondylus americanus w/data, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

*202. Perotrochus teramachii w/data and operc!  East China Sea, NICE!

opening bid $20.00

*203. LARGE glazed stoneware planter in the shape of a snail, 27” across, designer

piece!  Retail price $280.00, bring muscles and room in your car if you want this!

opening bid $20.00

204. Set of 5 different shell design Christmas cards

*205. Shell Gift for your Child or Grandchild!  18 different shell related toys, stickers,

puzzles, books etc…all 1st quality, new in packages!  Comes complete with a

lovely shell design gift bag!  Retail value over $100.00, opening bid $20.00

*206. Beautiful glass urn filled with 1st quality polished shells.  Created & donated by

Sue Hobbs & Phil Dietz, retail value over $120.00, opening bid $20.00

*207. Upright Lucite case filled with 12 assorted Spondylus and Jewel Boxes,

opening bid $20.00

Many Thanks to our Generous Donors:

Nancy Galdo

Lauren Cope Estate

Bob and JuYing Janowsky

Randy Allamand

The Broward Shell Club

An anonymous friend of the Broward Shell Club

Bob & Alice Pace
Tom Ball

Sue Hobbs & Phil Dietz

Richard Kent

Don and Kitsmueller /“Keys Shells”

Caledonian Seashells

Nicholas Zantop

Phyllis Diegel

Stephen Tan / MT Shells

Vincente “Vic” B. Dungog

Al, Bev & Neil Deynzer / Showcase Shells

Randy Bridges

Kinsey Maxwell

Gene Everson

Linda Zylman Holzinger & David Holzinger