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Dr. Chong CHEN

Dr. Chong CHEN

Deep-sea biologist. Malacologist. Evolutionary biologist. "Mollusc collector", photographer.

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The C. Chen Collection: “Kogkhulion”

“Kogkhulion” (Greek: “Conch”) is a photographic reference to world molluscs using specimens from the C. Chen Collection; continually updated. Mouse-hover over an image will display the scientific name, clicking/tapping reveals the full image with a detailed species account. For a searchable version, click here.

Siratus alabaster (Reeve, 1845) <br /> MURICIDAE<br /> -200~300m, By tangle net, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines, 163.4mm, F++<br /> The "Alabaster Murex" is a large and elegantly frilled muricid ranging from southern Japan to Philippines. It was first discovered by Hugh Cuming during his famous trip to the Philippines from 1836~1839, but even Cuming could only obtain a single beach-washed specimen which remained unique until 1961. Its rarity then justified it to be selected as one of S. Peter Dance's 50 "Rare Shells" (1969), and no fine quality specimens were known then. This is largely because it is a carnivorous gastropod inhabiting deep water around -100~500m, an inaccessible depth. Nowadays however it has become a common shell in the market, even high quality specimens. The availability of this remarkable species among many others in the shell trade today must be attributed to the deep-water tangle nets in the Philippines; without these nets it may be still as scarce as it was in the old days, and quality specimens impossible to obtain. It is a little-varied and easily recognised species, with colouration ranging from pure white to yellowish white. Typical shell length around 140mm, extremely large specimens are known to exceed 200mm.
Calliostoma javanicum (Lamarck, 1822) <br /> CALLIOSTOMATIDAE<br /> -30~50m, By traps, Martinique Island, 26.6mm, F++<br /> The "Chocolate-lined Top" is an extremely lovely and attractive calliostomatid ranging from Florida, USA to Brazil. A common herbivorous gastropod and algae grazer, it is usually found in shallow water around -1~40m deep; although it has also been recorded at nearly -100m deep. It is quite a variable species, the shell helight to width ratio vary from specimen to specimen so some are conical while others are quite broad; the strength of protuberance around the suture line also vary. Intensity of the characteristic chocolate-coloured lines also vary greatly and some specimens almost lack it; beautious specimens are uncommon. It is quite prone to growth lines. Typical shell length around 25mm, very large specimens may exceed 35mm.
Vokesimurex tricoronis (Berry, 1960) <br /> MURICIDAE<br /> -45m (-25 fms), Trawled, Off Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico, 58.4mm, F++<br /> The "Tricorn Murex" is a a somewhat uncommon muricid ranging from west Mexico to Ecuador. A predatory gastropod, it inhabits shallow to moderate depths of around -10~100m. It is rather variable in form and colouration, extent of spines especially so. There a few very similar and difficult to separate Vokesimurex in this region including this one, which may be forms of the "Bent-Beak Murex" Vokesimurex recurvirostris (Broderip, 1833). Typical shell length around 55mm, very large specimens may reach 80mm.
Bolma tayloriana (Smith, 1880) <br /> TURBINIDAE<br /> -45m, SCUBA dived, Cape Point, South Africa, 75.2mm, F+/F++, 1998/x<br /> The "Taylor's Star" is a famous collector's item among turbinids known for its attractive columellar shield. Once thought to be distributed from Japan to Taiwan, this is believed to be a mistake and it is now considered an endemic species of South Africa. Used to be a rare species, today it is best described as uncommon on the shell market. It is a algae grazing gastropod inhabiting rocky to muddy bottoms around -30~300m deep. It is somewhat variable in colouration, some specimens have alternating brown and light bands; the colour of columellar also varies from golden to dark brown. Although little varied in form, in geronic specimens the outer lip flares significantly. Live or fresh specimens have a peculiar dark periostracum which carries numerous short spikes. Typical shell length around 70mm, exceptionally large specimens may reach 90mm.
Vasum rhinoceros (Gmelin, 1791) <br /> TURBINELLIDAE<br /> Mombasa, Mombasa County, Kenya, 76.4mm, F+<br /> The "Rhinoceros Vase" is a very thick and heavy vase shell endemic to a small part central east Africa, ranging from Kenya and Tanzania including Zanzibar. Although a locally common species, it is uncommon on the market due to its restricted range. It is a carnivorous and predatory gastropod primarily feeding on polychaetes and sipunculans. A shallow water dweller, it may be found from intertidal waters down to approximately -20m deep and inhabits sandy to rocky to weedy bottoms just within fringing coral reefs. It is generally a rough shell and is very variable in pattern and form, especially knobbyness. A rare yellow to golden coloured form is known only from Zanzibar which has uniform yellow shell with no brown patterns and a golden columella. In some geronic specimens the posterior part of the outer lip strongly flares. Typical shell length around 70mm, very large specimens are known to exceed 100mm.
Neobuccinum eatoni (Smith, 1875) <br /> BUCCINIDAE<br /> -3000~4000m, Trawled on mud, Off Crozet Island, Frensh Southern and Antarctic Lands, southern Indian Ocean, 71.0mm, F/Dead, 1974, Ex-Coll. Paul Johnson (2013), Ex-Coll. George Rainer (2003) <br /> The "Antarctic Whelk" is a moderate sized buccinid endemic to and widespread in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters. Although locally it is a common species, its remote distribution near Antarctica makes it a rather rare species on the shell trade. A carnivorous / scavenging gastropod inhabiting sandy, rubbly, and muddy bottoms of a very wide bathymetric range from -10m down to about -800m; most common around -100~300m. Usually found in rough condition, it is not easy to find a live collected specimen in good condition. Typical shell length around 50mm, very large specimens may approach 80mm. It is the type species of the monotypic genus Neobuccinum (Smith, 1879).
Ophioglossolambis digitata (Perry, 1811) <br /> STROMBIDAE<br /> -5~10m, Dived, Sanculo (Lumbo), Mozambique, 128.5mm, F++, 2006/vi<br /> The "Elongate Spider Conch" is a very attractive spider conch with alternating dark/light bands in the aperture, endemic to western Indian Ocean ranging from Kenya to Mozambique to Réunion. Although there are some historical distribution records from Philippines and Samoa in the Pacific Ocean, the credibility of these is negligible. The nominal form dominant in mainland/Madagascar is common but there is a form O. digitata f. crocea (Reeve, 1854) which is rather rare on the market. O. digitata f. crocea is the dominant form in Mauritius/Mascarene Basin and very uncommon outside that region; quite different from the nomial form in having a flattened and much wider whorls and a much shorter, compressed spire as well as longer digits. This species is generally variable in digitation, but can usually be easily identified by the most posterior digit being forked, in combination with its aperture pattern. It is a herbivorous gastropod inhabiting sandy and rubbly bottoms of shallow water around -5~30m in depth. Typical shell length around 120mm but gigantic specimens are known to exceed 180mm. Previously placed in genus Lambis, it is now the type species of the recently erected genus Ophioglossolambis, its only congener being the famous rarity O. violacea (Swainson, 1821).
Melanopsis magnifica (Bourguignat, 1884)<br /> MELANOPSIDAE<br /> -0.5m, On sand, Ras Kebdana (aka. Ras el Ma), Nador Province, Oriental, Morocco, 31.3mm, F+++<br /> Melanopsis magnifica is a very attractively ribbed melanopsid endemic to Morocco (approximately from Berkane to Fez to Ouadi Korifla); there have been Algerian records in the past but most likely extinct there nowadays. Its distribution is very patchy with small areas of distribution scattered around its range which totals up to less than 500km2. It is extremely variable with many subspecies / forms named, shown here is the subspecies M. m. expansa Pallary, 1920; it is not clear whether these merely reflect variations due to environment differences or distinct evolutionary lineages. A freshwater herbivorous / detritivorous grazer, it is found in medium-sized river streams with low water level and inhabit sandy to stony bottoms. Fresh specimens are covered by a layer of rather thick and very dark periostracum. Typical shell length around 25mm, very large specimens occasionally approach 40mm. It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, primarily due to habitat degradation as many of its patchy habitats are found close to areas of urbanisation.
Timbellus phyllopterus (Lamarck, 1822) <br /> MURICIDAE<br /> -15m, Diver collected, Guadeloupe, 70.5mm, F+/F++, 2012<br /> The "Leafy Winged Murex" is a splendid muricid with outstanding wavy varices and colouration which makes it an extremely desirable collector's item. Native to the Lesser Antilles, it is an uncommon carnivorous and predatory gastropod inhabiting shallow water around -5~30m deep. Although little-varied in form it is extremely variable in colouration such as red, brown, yellow, purple, or white; and saturation of the colouration also differ between specimens. Its beautiful varices are very delicate and often broken in specimens taken from the wild but attempts at artificially raising specimens in controlled environment have been quite successful, producing and supplying specimens with perfect or near-perfect varices to the shell trade market. Typical shell length around 65mm, giant specimens are known to exceed 100mm.
Textilia cervus (Lamarck, 1822)<br /> CONIDAE<br /> By tangle net, Cebu, Philippines, 106.7mm, F++<br /> The "Pallisade Cone" or "Deer Cone" is a large and magnificent cone ranging from Philippines to Moluccas to New Caledonia. It is and has always been among the most celebrated rarities in the family, and is one of S. Peter Dance's 50 "Rare Shells" (1969). Once extremely scarce, some considered it to be merely a form of Textilia bullatus (Linnaeus, 1758) but as more specimens became available for comparison it proved to be a distinct species. The actual provenance of it was unclear until after mid-1900s because majority of the specimens known in collections before then were from very old collections with unreliable locality data. It is a venomous fish-hunting gastropod and inhabit sandy to rubbly bottoms of rather deep water around -150~400m deep. It is the largest member of the genus Textilia with typical shell length at around 100mm, very large specimens are known to exceed 125mm. As is typical for the genus, mature specimens have a thickened lip; the pattern is quite variable.
Sinustrombus taurus (Reeve, 1857) <br /> STROMBIDAE<br /> -25~30m, Dived, 'Roco Island', Marshall Islands, 93.5mm, F+++, 1995/iv<br /> The "Bull Conch" is a striking classic rarity among the strombids characterised by two posterior spines; it is one of the most coveted conchs of the Pacific Ocean and also one of S. Peter Dance's 50 "Rare Shells" (1969). Originally described from the collection of Sir David Barclay who kept the then unique specimen in personal collection until his death, and it remained unique for more than a century until its re-discovery in the Marshall Islands by R. C. "Dick" Willis. Locating its home ground was difficult because when Lovell Augustus Reeve described it he misinterpreted the locality as 'Amirante Islands', part of Seychelles in the Indian Ocean; the actual locality appears to be Admiralty Islands in the Pacific Ocean which is much more likely. It is still rare today, mainly known from the Marshall Islands and Mariana Islands. A herbivorous gastropod, it is usually found on sandy to rubbly bottoms of moderately shallow water around -5~50m in depth. Often found in pairs or threes, rarely one may encounter a large 'herd' (known from many strombid species); and 'herds' may contain 50 or more individuals. Usually a rough species with much of the shell encrusted or corroded or damaged by cap shells and worm shells; specimen grade shells are difficult to find. A very heavy shell for its size, its typical shell length is around 90mm but giants are known to exceed 130mm.
Godfreyena luculenta (Adams & Adams, 1864)<br /> BUCCINIDAE<br /> -35m, Night dived, Cape Le Grande, Esperance, Australia, 46.0mm, F++<br /> Adorned with a band of orange and ornamented with speckles of brown, the "Torr's Whelk" is certainly one of the most stunning and exquisite buccinids of all. A very rare species endemic to southwestern Australia, specimens are usually dead taken and most of the live taken specimens available on the market were collected around Esperance during night dives by the late Mr Peter Clarkson, a famed Australian diver. A carnivorous / scavenging gastropod, it is a nocturnal species inhabiting sandy to rubbly bottoms of moderate depths around -20~50m. It is generally a little varied shell, although the pattern of brown speckles and the general colouration varies a little. Typicall shell length around 50mm, giant specimens occasionally exceed 70mm. It was originally described under genus Cominella and is often still seen listed under that genus but as it is quite distinctive from other Cominella species, a new monotypic genus Godfreyena was erected for it.
Cymbiola aulica (Sowerby I, 1825) <br /> VOLUTIDAE<br /> -10~20m, Taken by local fisherman, Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines, 120.2mm, F++<br /> The "Princely Volute" is a very handsome volute and a famous collector's item coveted once ago for rarity and today for its endless variability and beauty. One of S. Peter Dance's 50 "Rare Shells" (1969), it was known from a single specimen of unknown origin until Hugh Cuming, the 'Prince of Shell Collectors', discovered its home ground in southern Philippines where it is endemic to and brought specimens back to the Western world in 1840. It remained scarce, however, until mid-20th Century; and today it is only uncommon. A predatory gastropod inhabiting sandy bottoms of relatively shallow water around -5~50m, it is extremely variable in pattern, form, and colouration. Usually recognised for irregular patterns of diffused red, but specimens with well-defined pattern or even completely solid red are known. Typically not so angulate with sloping shoulders, but many develop very strong shoulder spines. Several subspecies and forms have been named; some recently recognised as full species. Also very variable in size, the typical shell length is around 110mm but giants occasionally exceed 170mm.
Buccinum aniwanum Dall, 1907 <br /> BUCCINIDAE<br /> -200m, Off Abashiri, Hokkaido, Japan, 154.8mm, F+/F++, 2010/vi<br /> The "Aniwa Whelk" is a large cold-water buccinid endemic to the Sea of Okhotsk. The specific epithet is taken from name of the species' type locality: Aniva Bay, Sakhalin Island; an alternative spelling of which is Aniwa Bay. It is a carnivorous / scavenging gastropod found in deep water ranging around -100~1000m, usually on muddy bottoms. The form is somewhat variable but typically quote tall and fusiform for genus Buccinum (as shown). Typical shell length around 110mm, very large specimens may exceed 150mm. It is similar to Buccinum bayani Zenkevitch, 1963 and is sometimes confused with it; the most obvious difference is in sculpture, the spiral sculpture in B. bayani is much finer and does not become very strong near the siphonal canal like in B. aniwanum. B. bayani usually also has much more inflated whorls than B. aniwanum.
Volutoconus bednalli (Brazier, 1878) <br /> VOLUTIDAE<br /> -100m, Trawled in the Arafura Sea, Off Northern Territory, Australia, 130.1mm, F+++<br /> The "Bednall's Volute" is a classic rarity among the volutes and one of the most beautiful species characterised by the unique and extremely attractive chocolate-laced pattern. One of S. Peter Dance's 50 "Rare Shells" (1969); it was described from a shell that belonged to the Australian collector Mr William T. Bednall, its namesake. This shell remained the sole known specimen until 1893, and by early 1900s more specimens had appeared on the market; an anecdote tells that divers used to exchange each specimen caught with a bottle of brandy. Today it is known to be a moderately rare species ranging from northern Australia (in the Arafura Sea and the Timor Sea) to eastern Indonesia. It is a predatory gastropod inhabiting shallow to moderately deep water around -10~150m deep, and usually lives on sandy bottoms. Typical shell length around 110mm, although extreme giants may exceed 165mm. The spire height varies greatly and accounts for much of the size variation. The extent of surface sculture may also vary from rather smooth to strong and wrinkle-like; and the base colouration ranges between pure white and yellowish white.
Phymorhynchus buccinoides Okutani, Fujikura & Sasaki, 1993 <br /> RAPHITOMIDAE<br /> -1172m, Cold seep site, Off Hatsushima Island, Sagami Bay, Japan, 52.4mm, F++<br /> Phymorhynchus buccinoides is a peculiar raphitomid 'turrid' with an extremely restricted known distribution, being endemic to a single chemosynthetic ecosystem: the cold seep site off Hatsushima Island, Sagami Bay, Japan, at depth of -1172m. Furthermore, it is known from just four outcrops in the seep site where they occur in high densities, co-occuring with Bathymodiolus platifrons Hashimoto & Okutani, 1994. It feeds chiefly on the B. platifrons mussels, but more of a carnivorous scavenger / carrion feeder rather than predator as its toxoglossate radula is very reduced and unlikely to be used for hunting. The shell is white but covered by a rather thick layer of olive green periostracum, which is sometimes further covered in black deposits; the apex is always corroded. The soft parts are pure white when alive. Typical shell length around 50mm, very large specimens may reach 70mm. Due to its limited range and inaccessible habitat, it is virtually impossible to acquire.
Crucibulum spinosum (Sowerby I, 1824) <br /> CALYPTRAEIDAE<br /> On rock exposed at lowtide, Southeast coast of Gobernadora Island, Gulf of Montijo, Panama, 35.9mm, F++<br /> The "Spiny Cup-and-Saucer" is an elaborately ornamented calyptraeid native to eastern Pacific ranging from California, USA to Tomé, Chile. It has also been introduced by human activity to Hawaii, USA unintentionally, attached to ships' hulls during the World War II; and is now an exotic species found throughout the main islands there. A common to abundant species living attached to hard substrates from intertidal zone down to about -8m depth, it primarily filter-feeds with its extensive gill filaments like other calyptraeids but also grazes on algae. It is a very fecund protandrous hermaphrodite, each individual is male when young and grows to become a large female. Extremely variable in colouration and ornamentation; its typical shell length is around 50mm with giants occasionally exceeding 75mm.
Astralium pileolum (Reeve, 1842) <br /> TURBINIDAE<br /> At extreme low tide, Under rock slab on exposed muddy reef, Roebuck Bay, near Broome, Kimberley, Australia, 48.4mm, F++<br /> The "Frilled Star" is a turbinid endemic to northwestern Australia with a remarkable pleated lappet formed by wide spines merging together. A common grazing gastropod, it is found on reef flats among rocks in intertidal zone to very shallow water. The frilly spines are exceptionally variable in form and extent, in some specimens they are completely merged with no gaps or breaks. Usually a rather rough shell, with early whorls eroded exposing the nacre layer. Typical shell diameter around 40mm, giant specimens may exceed 65mm.
Craspedochiton producta (Carpenter in Pilsbry, 1892) <br /> ACANTHOCHITONIDAE<br /> -10m, Dived, East London, South Africa, 41.0mm, F+++<br /> Craspedochiton producta is an amazing chiton with extremely well developed girdles that partially cover the shell plates. It is endemic to South Africa, and live attached to hard substrates in rather shallow water ranging from about -5~30m. Very interestingly, members of genus Craspedochiton are known to use their wide, fleshy girdle to catch small prey; and are carnivorous unlike most chitons which are herbivorous grazers. Similar behaviour is known from genera Placiphorella (Mopalidae) and Loricella (Schizochitonidae), and are considered to be result of convergent evolution. An uncommon species, it is extremely variable in colouration and can even be bright pink or orange. Typical length including the girdle around 35mm (without girdle 20mm), very large specimens may approach 50mm (without girdle 30mm).
Nerita textilis Gmelin, 1791 <br /> NERITIDAE<br /> Intertidal in rock crevice, Toliara, Madagascar, 44.0mm, F++<br /> The "Textile Nerite" is a common neritid with striking pattern; it has a rather wide distribution in the western Indian Ocean ranging from eastern South Africa to the Red Sea. It is a grazing herbivore living attached on hard substrates of rocky shores, in the littoral zone; often quite high on the shore. It is very variable in size and also in pattern; although average size is about 30mm giant specimens may exceed 50mm. The specimen depicted here is rather large, but unfortunately without the granulose operculum.
Amalda vernedei herlaari Van Pel, 1989 <br /> OLIVIDAE<br /> -350~400m, Trawled, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, 91.0mm, F+++, 2005<br /> The "Herlaar's Amalda" is a very handsome ancillariin endemic to northern and western Australia. A. vernedei (Sowerby, 1859) represents a very widely distributed and very variable species in the Western Pacific and forms a complex of many subspecies such as A. v. herlaari, A. v. hilgendorfi (Martens, 1897) from Japan, and A. v. richeri Kilburn & Bouchet, 1988 from New Caledonia. It is one of S. Peter Dance's 50 "Rare Shells" (1969), which more specifically referred to the most elusive nominate subspecies A. vernedei vernedei; of which only a few specimens are known and appears to be endemic to deep water of the Solomon Islands. The conchologically similar but more accessible A. v. herlaari is often used as a substitute or placeholder when one attempts to collect all 50 and finds the nominate A. v. vernedei impossible to obtain. Although another subspecies of A. vernedei from the Philippines and South China Sea with similar spire callous but much more slender in form is also usually referred to as A. v. herlaari, it is clearly different from the Australian specimens and is from shallower depths of -50~200m (although a few Philippines records are similar in form to true A. v. herlaari). A futher subspecies similar to A. v. hilgendorfi is known from around Taiwan, and several more have been collected during expeditions of the MNHN (P. Recourt, pers. comm.). This complex contains the largest known members of the subfamily Ancillariinae, A. v. herlaari is one of the largest with a typical shell length of 80mm and giants exceeding 100mm. A carnivorous / scavenging gastropod, it is a sand-burrower inhabiting deep water around -200~800m.
Turbinella pyrum (Linnaeus, 1767) <br /> TURBINELLIDAE<br /> -30~50m, Trawled, Off Kayalpatnam, Tamil Nadu, India, 244.2mm, F++<br /> The "Sacred Chank" is a massive and extremely heavy turbinellid famous for being one of the eight auspicious symbols ('Ashtamangala') carrying religious and cultural significance in Hinduism and Buddhism. In both religions it is used as a ceremonial trumpet and libation vessel, often ornamented with gold or silver. It is called 'shankha' in Indian, meaning 'sacred conch', and the English name 'chank' was derived from this word. Sinistral specimens occurs but very rarely; in Hinduism a sinistral chank serves as the symbol of goddess Maa Lakshmi and is an extremely highly valued ceremonial item said to bring success, wealth, and purification. It is a shallow water dweller found around the depths of -5~50m, and is a predatory gastropod feeding mainly on polychaete worms. It has a very localised distribution in the Indian Ocean ranging only from southeastern India to Sri Lanka, and prefers a special type of sandy bottom with mud and organic material mixed in; which has very high abundance of polychaete worms. Typical shell length around 150mm but extremely large specimens may approach 300mm. It is very variable in form and many names have been given to the different forms. Young specimens often carry brown spots on the dorsum. Fresh specimens are covered in a layer of very thick, brown, fur-like periostracum.
Pyrulofusus dexius japonicus Habe, Ito & Tanji, 1980 <br /> BUCCINIDAE<br /> -150~200m, Off Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan, 139.7mm, F+, 1985/vii<br /> The "Japanese Right-Handed Whelk" is an uncommon buccinid endemic to area ranging from Japan (north of Fukushima Prefecture) to Kuril Islands to Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. This subspecies lacks the strongly raised radial ribs which is present in the nominate subspecies Pyrulofusus dexius dexius (Dall, 1907) mainly distributed in the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea; and can thus be easily differentiated from it. A carnivorous / scavenging gastropod inhabiting sandy to muddy bottoms in moderately deep water around -50~200m. Typical shell length around 130mm, giant specimens may reach 160mm.
Swiftopecten swiftii (Bernardi, 1858) <br /> PECTINIDAE<br /> -50m, Trawled on mud and seaweed bottom, Japan Sea, Japan, 95.6mm, F++, 2012/xii<br /> The "Swift's Scallop" is a colourful and attractive medium-large pectinid distributed from Japan Sea to northeast Japan to Sakhalin, Russia. Although quite distinctively shaped, it is very variable in knobbiness depending on number of growth pauses the specimen has had, each pause forming a row of knobs. It is very variable in colouration from bright yellow to purple to red to dark brown, and it is very popular among collectors for this reason. A common filter-feeding bivalve, it inhabits mostly rock and gravel bottoms of shallow water from lowtide depths down to about -50m. Typical shell length around 80mm, very large specimens may exceed 100mm.
Eclogavena coxeni (Cox, 1873) <br /> CYPRAEIDAE<br /> Honiara, Solomon Islands, 23.6mm, F+++<br /> The "Coxen's Cowrie" is a pretty and pyriform cowrie endemic to Melanesia ranging from Papua New Guinea to Solomon Islands to Vanuatu, although vast majority of specimens appear to originate from Solomon Islands. Often mistakenly called "Cox's Cowrie" but it is in fact named after Mr. Charles Coxen, a conchologist and ornithologist from Queensland, Australia and should be "Coxen's Cowrie". An omnivorous gastropod, it is a common species inhabiting shallow water down to approximately -15m deep. It is nocturnal and is often found hiding under rocks or coral debris during the day. Typical shell length around 20mm, very large specimens sometimes attain 30mm. Generally a little-varied species but the thickness of callus do vary from specimen to specimen.
Pterochelus triformis (Reeve, 1845) <br /> MURICIDAE<br /> -3m, On oysters, Albany Harbour, western Australia, 61.1mm, F++<br /> The "Three-Shaped Murex" is a winged muricid endemic to southern Australia ranging from Albany in the west to New South Wales in the east, including Tasmania. It is a common carnivorous gastropod inhabiting shallow water from lowtide depths down to about -30m, often found among rocks and seaweeds. Typical shell length around 60mm, although very large specimens may attain 85mm. The colouration ranges from off-white to dark brown. It is often confused with Pterochelus acanthopterus (Lamarck, 1816) which is larger with deeper suture and usually much more undulated wing-like varices. The varices of P. acanthopterus is also much more scabrous on the aperture side compared to that of P. triformis.
Jolya elongata (Swainson, 1821) <br /> MYTILIDAE<br /> -20m, Surigao, Philippines, 110.5mm, F++, 2011<br /> Jolya elongata is a very elegant mussel with attractive shiny periostracum; rather widely distributed in the Western Pacific ranging from Hokkaido, Japan to southern China to Queensland, Australia. It is a filter-feeding species which lives buried in shallow sandy to muddy soft bottoms around -10~120m deep, inside a 'cocoon' built from surrounding material and its byssus threads. A locally uncommon species but somewhat rare on the market; its periostracum colour varies from light to dark brown, sometimes with a bluish hue. Typical shell length around 90mm, very large specimens such as the one shown sometimes exceed 110mm. Juvenile specimens are much less elongate and looks almost like a different species. This trend of increased elongation with age is common among mytilids.
Scutus antipodes Montfort, 1810 <br /> FISSURELLIDAE<br /> -6~10m, Under narrow limestone ledges in seagrass bed, Jurien Bay, western Australia, 127.9mm, F++<br /> The "Elephant Snail" is a very large duck's bill limpet endemic to the southern half of Australia, including Tasmania. The largest fissurellid of Oceania and like many fissurellids the animal is much larger than the shell; the mantle is jet-black in this species. It is a common to abundant algae grazer inhabiting very shallow water in lowtide depths down to about -20m. A nocturnal species, it hides under rocks or in crevices during the day and emerges at night to feed. Typical shell length around 80mm, specimens above 120mm may be considered large but in extreme cases it may exceed even 150mm.
Vexillum stainforthii (Reeve, 1842) <br /> COSTELLARIIDAE<br /> -25~30m, In sand and rubble, Off Bolo Point, Okinawa, Japan, 41.8mm, F++, 1988<br /> The "Stainforth's Mitre" is a strikingly spotted costellariid with a rather wide distribution in the Western Pacific ranging from Okinawa, Japan to Queensland, Australia. One of S. Peter Dance's 50 "Rare Shells" (1969), its description was based on a shell then in the famed Mrs de Burgh collection; which later passed to the hands of Reverend Francis John Stainforth after whom it is named after. In the 19th Century it was considered to be the rarest of all mitre shells, and it remained rare until late 20th Century. Today it is known to be a moderately common carnivorous species inhabiting sandy to muddy bottoms around -10~80m deep, although it still remains as a popular collector's item. Typical shell length around 35mm, very large specimens may approach 60mm. It is somewhat variable in form, but varies little in general pattern and colouration and thus is an easily recognisable species.
Lucinoma yoshidai Habe, 1958 <br /> LUCINIDAE<br /> -260m, Trawled from gravel and sand bottom, East China Sea, 36.2mm, F++, 2008/v<br /> Lucinoma yoshidai is a strongly costated lucinid ranging from East China Sea to Japan to Taiwan, with one ambiguous record from Tasmania, Australia which is likely a separate species. It is particularly interesting as it inhabits cold seeps of Sagami Bay, Japan; making it a member of Japanese chemosynthetic ecosystems. In fact, symbiosis with sulphur-oxidising bacteria is most likely obligate in Lucinidae and it is the most diverse group of molluscs exhibiting chemosymbiosis. Most species however, inhabit sulphide-rich reducing sediments and are not endemic to patchy chemosynthetic ecosystems such as hydrothermal vents or cold seeps. Likewise, this species also mainly inhabit reducing sediments around -100~1200m and relies on endosymbionts in its gill for nutrition. It is an uncommon species, the typical shell length being around 50mm although giants may approach 90mm. Adult valves are almost circular but juvenile valves are wider than tall. Fresh specimens are covered in a moderately thick layer of brown periostracum. It is similar to congener Lucinoma annulatum (Reeve, 1850), but has much less inflated valves and a keeled posterior end which ends abruptly in a straight line instead of forming a curve.
Plastiscala morchi (Angas, 1871) <br /> EPITONIIDAE<br /> -146m (-80 ftms), In nets, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines, 24.7mm, F++, 2011, Ex-Coll. David DeLucia<br /> Platiscala morchi is a very unusual wentletrap best known from southeastern Australia but with some records extending as far as Philippines and Okinawa, Japan. Like many epitoniids it feeds exclusively on sea anemone and lives in sand among sea anemone colonies around -20~300m deep. In early whorls the sculpture is cancellate but in large specimens (as shown) the axial ribs weakens and almost dissapears in later whorls leaving only spiral cords. Typical shell length around 10mm, very large specimens may approach 25mm. A rare species, specimens from southeast Australia (type locality) is smaller and differs in form from specimens found in other localities, which may prove to be a separate species in future studies. The giant specimen shown here is virtually identical to the one illustrated by Guido T. Poppe in "Philippine Marine Mollusks: Volume I" (2008, p. 706-707).
Vexillum dennisoni (Reeve, 1844) <br /> COSTELLARIIDAE<br /> Dived, west of Sorsogon, Luzon Island, Philippines, 56.0mm, F++<br /> The "Dennison's Mitre" is a flamboyant costellariid famous for being listed as one of S. Peter Dance's 50 "Rare Shells" (1969). It was described from the collection of Hugh Cuming, the 'Prince of Shell Collectors', and named after John Dennison, one of the greatest British shell collectors of the 19th Century who owned two specimens. It was a rare species even into the late 20th Century, but today it is only moderately common. A carnivorous gastropod, it inhabits moderately shallow water around -10~50m deep and has a Indo-West Pacific range centering around Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Vast majority of specimens come from the Philippines, especially south of Luzon Island. It is rather variable in form and very variable in colouration, the orange hued form depicted here is somewhat uncommon. Typical shell length around 50mm, very large specimens may approach 70mm.
Cymbium pepo (Lightfoot, 1786) <br /> VOLUTIDAE<br /> -10~20m, Trawled by local fisherman, Sanyang, southern Gambia, 244.8mm, F+, 2012/iii<br /> The "Neptune Volute" is a very large volute endemic to west Africa with a distribution from Western Sahara to Nigeria. It is the most globular and one of the largest Cymbium species, Cymbium being a genus of large to very large volutes known from west Africa to Mediterranean Sea. A common species, it has a gigantic foot which like many other Cymbium species is used by locals as food and sometimes exported in frozen state. It is a carnivorous gastropod usually found on sandy bottoms of shallow water around -10~50m deep. Typical shell length around 200mm, very large specimens may exceed 300mm. Large specimens are uncommon on the shell market, partly due to difficulty in transporting its large and fragile shell. Sinistral specimens appears to be more frequent than usual in this species, as well as other species in genus Cymbium.
Bathytoma atractoides (Watson, 1881) <br /> BORSONIIDAE<br /> -400~600m, Pratas Island, Taiwan, 69.5mm, F+, 2013/viii<br /> Bathytoma atractoides is a large borsoniid widely distributed from eastern Indian Ocean to Philippines to Taiwan to western Australia. It is a rather common deep-water carnivore inhabiting sandy to muddy bottoms around -250~900m, most common around -400~500m. Typical shell length around 50mm but very variable in size and gigantic specimens in excess of 85mm are known. Usually a rough shell quite frequently disturbed by growth scars and lines, young shells tend to be prettier, brighter coloured, and often with a more pronounced cord near the suture line.
Haliotis squamosa Gray, 1826 <br /> HALIOTIDAE<br /> Collected on rock by local person, Fort Dauphin, Madagascar, 83.1mm, F++, 2001/viii<br /> The "Squamose Abalone" is a strongly corded abalone endemic to southern Madagascar. It is a locally common species and gains its name from numerous fine scales on its strong ribs. A algae-grazing herbivore like all abalones, it lives attached on rocks of shallow water from intertidal zone down to about -20m. Typical shell length around 65mm, very large specimens may attain 90mm.
Buccinum kinukatsugi Habe & Ito, 1968 <br /> BUCCINIDAE<br /> -180m, By bottom trawler, Off southeast of Cape Terpeniya (48 deg 30'N, 145 deg 20'E), Sakhalin, Russia, 96.2mm, Gd/F, 1975/x/7<br /> Buccinum kinukatsugi is a cold-water buccinid with a very characteristic hirsute periostracum, endemic to the Sea of Okhotsk. A locally uncommon species, it is rarely seen in the shell market outside Japan, especially specimens retaining full periostracum complete with the fine hairs. It is a carnivorous / scavenging gastropod inhabiting muddy bottoms of rather deep water around -70~500m. Typical shell length around 70mm, very large specimens are known to exceed 100mm. It is said to be very tasty and may be seen in Japanese fish markets, albeit rarely.
Toxiclionella elstoni (Barnard, 1962) <br /> CLAVATULIDAE<br /> -100m, Dredged, Off Mbotyi, Transkei, South Africa, 36.6mm, F+<br /> Toxiclionella elstoni is an uncommon clavatulid with a very unusual shape, endemic to South Africa. The strongly undulating sculpture is quite unique among gastropods and is one of the most easily recognisable species among Clavatulidae. A carnivorous gastropod, it inhabits rather deep water around depth of -70~120m on the continental shelf along Transkei and Natal. Typical shell length around 30mm, very large specimens may approach 40mm. A broadly lanceolate operculum is present and occupies approximately 1/3 of the aperture length. A shell not often offered on the market, probably due to its restricted range.
Naria lamarckii (Gray, 1825) f. phuketensis (unknown author)<br /> CYPRAEIDAE<br /> -20~30m, By scuba diver near Ko Racha Yai and Ko Racha Noi islands, south Phuket Province, Thailand, 27.4mm, F+++, 2013<br /> The "Lamarck's Cowrie" is a pleasingly spotted common cowrie widely distributed throughout the Indian Ocean and named in honour of the famous French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. It is a very variable species in terms of both pattern and form. The uncommon form shown here is characteristic of population endemic to a small area around Phuket Island, Thailand usually referred to as N. lamarckii f. phuketensis, although the author of the name is unclear and it carries no taxonomic authority. This form can be regarded as an extremely callous and depressed variation of L. lamarckii f. redimita (Melvill, 1888) which is itself a short and callous form of N. lamarckii best known from Zanzibar, Natal, and Thailand. The two are sometimes treated as synonymous on the market, treating f. phuketensis as simply a variation of f. redimita. N. lamarckii f. redimita was often treated as a subspecies, but no sufficient genetic evidence was found to support this from the Cowrie Genetic Database Project and now best considered simply as a form. It is a nocturnal omnivore often found to inhabit muddy bottoms, and is usually found from very shallow intertidal zone down to about -50m deep. Typical shell length of N. lamarckii is around 35mm with giants sometimes exceeding 50mm; N. lamarckii f. phuketensis is smaller with a typical shell length around 30mm and rarely exceeding 40mm.
Circomphalus foliaceolamellosus (Dillwyn, 1817) <br /> VENERIDAE<br /> -10~20m, Trawled, Attached to fishing nets, Gunjur, Gambia, 66.3mm, F+, 2012/iii, Coll. Carl Ruscoe & Craig Ruscoe<br /> Magnificently ornamented with frequent frilly ribs, the "Scaly-ridged Venus" is a large venus clam and the most extensively ribbed species of genus Circomphalus. It is a common burrowing filter-feeder endemic to western Africa ranging approximately from Morocco to Angola and inhabits intertidal to subtidal waters down to about -80m deep. Typical shell length around 60mm, very large specimens are known to exceed 80mm. The radial ribs vary somewhat in frequency from specimen to specimen, and they are quite prone to damage especially in large specimens; examples with all ribs intact are not easy to find.
Cymbiola chrysostoma (Swainson, 1824) <br /> VOLUTIDAE<br /> Sulawesi, Indonesia, 72.1mm, F++, Ex-Coll. Paul Johnson<br /> The "Golden-Mouth Volute" is a classic collector's item among the volutes endemic to Indonesia, characterised by the brilliant golden hue in its aperture for which it was named. It was selected by S. Peter Dance as one of his fifty "Rare Shells" (1969) and was very rare even into the late 1900s. Today it is only uncommon and much easier to obtain, although giant specimens still fetch high prices. The spire height is somewhat variable as well as the prominence of the two dark bands, the shell is quite prone to growth scars. The number of spines per whorl is also variable. It is a carnivorous gastropod inhabiting shallow sandy bottoms of about -2~50m deep. Typical shell length around 55mm, giant specimens may occasionally exceed 70mm.
Angaria sphaerula (Kiener, 1839)<br /> ANGARIIDAE<br /> In deep water, by local fisherman using tangle net, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines, 62.9mm, F++, early 2014<br /> With its long, recurved spines the "Kiener's Delphinula" is perhaps the most beautiful angariid, and certainly one of the most variable. S. Peter Dance chose this species as one of his 50 "Rare Shells" (1969) as it was for a long time considered very rare. Today it is known to be a rather common species native to the tropical Indo-West Pacific, and an algae grazer inhabiting rocky surfaces of intertidal zone up to moderate depths of around -100m. It is very variable in colouration and ornamentation, the spines can vary from a simple tube to being extensively webbed. A large specimen of the frilly form is shown here, with wide spines like petals of a flower. It is quite rare to find a specimen of this form with intact spines and good size combined. Typical shell length around 60mm including spines, although very large specimens may approach 100mm.
Volutoconus coniformis (Cox, 1871) <br /> VOLUTIDAE<br /> -14m, On sand of pearl farm, Roebuck Bay, Broome, Australia, 70.0mm, F++, Ex-Coll. Paul Johnson<br /> The "Cone-shaped Volute" is a rare and appealing volute endemic to the portion of northwest Australia between Dampier and Broome. It is a nocturnal carnivorous gastropod inhabiting sandy to rubbly bottoms of shallow water ranging from intertidal zone down to about -20m deep. Although a shallow water shell it is a seldomly seen species, live-taken specimens such as the one shown especially so. Characteristically of the genus Volutoconus, it has a sharp needle-like tip in its protoconch. Typical shell length is around 60mm, giant specimens may grow to approach 80mm.
Trophonella echinolamellata (Powell, 1951) <br /> MURICIDAE<br /> -200~220m, Trawled, King George Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica, 63.2mm, F+/F++, 1996/xii<br /> Trophonella echinolamellata is a beautifully ornamented Antarctic trophon endemic to the Southern Ocean, with a range from South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands to the Antarctic Peninsula although the actual range might be wider. It appears to be extremely rare in the shell market due to its inaccessible habitat and distribution. Originally placed in genus Trophon, it was placed in the newly erected genus Trophonella in 2010 by Harasewych & Pastoino along with four other species due to significant differences from the type species of Trophon, ie. Trophon geversianus (Pallas, 1769). It is a carnivorous gastropod with a bathymetric range of around -50~500m, but live specimens are usually found between -100~200m deep. Typical shell length approximately 50mm, very large specimens are known to attain nearly 70mm.
Tenorioconus cedonulli (Linnaeus, 1767) <br /> CONIDAE<br /> -12~14m, Scuba dived at night, Young Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 44.0mm, F+++<br /> With its specific epithet meaning 'second-to-none', the "Matchless Cone" is a gorgeous Caribbean cone greatly celebrated for its beauty and rarity. One of the 'Four Famous Rarities' in S. Peter Dance's book "Shell Collecting: An Illustrated History", it was originally described by Linnaeus as a subspecies of Leptoconus ammiralis (L., 1758) with reference to the famous figure by Albertus Seba (1758) drawn from the then unique specimen owned by Johan de la Faille, a famous Dutch collector. Johan de la Faille ultimately had two specimens, one was sold to the King of Portugal and the other (not the one figured by Seba) later passed to the naturalist Pierre Lyonet (who refused to sell the specimen for £100, equivalent to about US$15000 today, believing it was worth triple of that), then to Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, and the same shell supposedly now rests in the Natural History Museum of Geneva. It is now considered a full species with three subspecies: T. c. cedonulli from St Vincent, T. c. dominicanus (Hwass in Bruguiere, 1792) from Grenadines and Grenada, and T. c. insularis (Gmelin, 1791) from St Lucia and Barbados. It is extremely variable in pattern and colouration (the specimen depicted here is typical of T. c. cedonulli) and somewhat variable in form; and is likely to have been confused with other species especially in the 18th and 19th Century. A predatory gastropod inhabiting sandy to rubbly bottoms around -2~80m deep, its typical shell length is around 45mm but very large specimens may reach 60mm.
Lyria lyraeformis (Swainson, 1821) <br /> VOLUTIDAE<br /> -40m, Dived, Lamu Island, Kenya, 112.1mm, F++<br /> The "Lyre-formed Lyria" is a beautiful classic rarity among the volutes endemic to east Africa ranging from Somalia to Mozambique, with majority of specimens coming from Kenya or Somalia. One of S. Peter Dance's fifty "Rare Shells" (1969), it was truly scarce until the mid-20th Century. Today it is still a rare and coveted shell especially in live-taken condition; although a good amount were brought into the market from Somalian and Kenyan fishermen decades ago this seems to have stopped today and most specimens available on the market are from old collection. A carnivorous gastropod inhabiting sandy to muddy bottoms, its bathymetric range is around -10~200m from subtidal to moderately deep water. Typical shell length around 100mm, giant specimens are known to exceed 140mm. Typical of genus Lyria, this species also has a horny operculum but specimens complete with operculum is very rarely seen. Its form is quite variable from the slender and fusiform shown here to a much wider and robust form; the colour is also somewhat variable, for example some specimens only carry various hues of orange.
Chicomurex superbus (Sowerby III, 1889) <br /> MURICIDAE<br /> -100~200m, By tangle nets, Balut Island, Philippines, 68.1mm, F++<br /> Chicomurex superbus is a rather widely distributed muricid ranging from Honshu, Japan to northeast Australia and Coral Sea. For a long time this common species was incorrectly referred to as Chicomurex problematicus since T.C. Lan's description in 1981 of it as a subspecies of C. superbus. This is because Sowerby III's original figures in C. superbus' description was misinterpreted and considered to be a different species (now described as C. lani Houart, Moe & Chen, 2014) which was what Lan compared his specimens to. When the holotype of C. superbus was seen however, it turned out to be exactly the same species as C. problematicus. Therefore C. problematicus is in fact a junior synonym of C. superbus which takes precedence. A carnivorous gastropod inhabiting moderately deep water around -40~300m, the typical shell length is around 65mm although exceptionally large specimens may exceed 80mm.
Aforia circinata (Dall, 1873) <br /> COCHLESPIRIDAE<br /> -205m, Trawled in mud, Off Monbetsu, Hokkaido, Japan, 68.7mm, F++, 1986/v/13<br /> The "Keeled Aforia" is a rather rare conoidean with a distribution ranging from Honshu, Japan to Bering Sea to Gulf of Alaska, USA. With its distinctive keel, it is a representative species of genus Aforia which was placed in Turridae until its recent revision, and is now in Cochlespiridae. This genus contains some of the most rare and desirable 'turrids' characterised by strong keels. It is known for exhibiting very clear sexual dimorphism in aperture shape, females have a strong notch in the lower part of the outer lip whereas males (shown here) lacks it. This feature is unusual in gastropods, and is also known for some species of the true turrid genus Gemmula. The shell is usually quite rough and worn. A carnivorous gastropod inhabiting muddy bottoms around -60~600m deep, its typical shell length is around 65mm but giants may exceed 80mm.
Margarya yangtsunghaiensis Tchang & Tsi, 1949 <br /> VIVIPARIDAE<br /> Yangtsunghai Lake, Yunnan Province, China, 50.0mm, F++, 2013<br /> Margarya yangtsunghaiensis is a very attractive freshwater snail endemic to a single small lake with surface area of 32km2 -- the Yangtsunghai Lake in Yunnan Province, China. It is listed on both IUCN Red List and Chinese Red List as Critically Endangered; some claim it may already be extinct. This is because the last official records of live specimens were back in 1949, and supposedly no live specimens were found in recent surveys of the lake. Given this background it is unsurprisingly a rare shell on the market, although it is puzzling that apparently live taken specimens claiming to be taken in recent years are sometimes seen for sale. Viviparids are known for having a wide-range of feeding methods, including grazing, detritus feeding, and filter feeding; genus Margarya is no exception. It lives across all depths of Yangtsunghai Lake, the maximum depth of which is about -30m. Typical shell length around 45mm, very large specimens may approach 60mm. The genus Margarya includes some of the most amazingly sculptured freshwater gastropods of all, and once common enough to be used for food by local people. Nowadays however, unfortunately most species of this small (11 species) genus endemic to Yunnan Province are in sharp decline or alread extinct due to anthropogenic pollution of the lakes they inhabit since the 1980s. This continues today and Yangtsunghai Lake, for example, was affected by a large-scale Arsenic pollution from a local fertilizer factory in 2008.
Pomaulax japonicus (Dunker, 1845) <br /> TURBINIDAE<br /> -50~60m, Off Owase, Mie Prefecture, Japan, 132.1mm, F+, 2013/x<br /> The "Japanese Star" is an intriguing turbinid endemic to Japan where it is locally common and Korea where it is rarer. It is a grazing herbivore inhabiting rocky substrates in shallow water up to -50m deep. The shell height is quite variable in relation to shell diameter, meaning the shell form can vary from very flat to rather tall. The thick nacre layer of the shell was used in Japan to make buttons. Typical shell diameter around 120mm, very large specimens may reach 170mm; in general the larger the specimen the shorter the spine becomes. Specimens with long and well-preserved spines are not easy to acquire.
Beringius polynematicus Pilsbry, 1907 <br /> BUCCINIDAE<br /> -300~400m, Trawled on mud, Off Chōshi, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, 131.0mm, F++<br /> Beringius polynematicus is a cold-water buccinid ranging from northern Japan to Bering Sea. It is similar to Beringius frielei (Dall,1895) and sometimes confused with it, but B. frielei have numerous deep spiral ridges in reglar intervals on the upper half of the body whorl which is lacking in B. polynematicus. A common carnivorous / scavenging species found on muddy bottoms around -150~500m deep, it is edible and sometimes seen in Japanese fish markets. Typical shell length around 140mm, very large specimens may exceed 170mm. It is quite variable in form and may be much wider than the fusiform specimen shown.
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