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 pliciferoides (Kuroda, 1942) <br />
MURICIDAE<br />
-100m, East China Sea, 115.6mm, F++<br />
The "Japanese Spike Murex" has a wide range in the West Pacific from south Honshu, Japan to Australia to New Caledonia, and is a common carnivore inhabiting sandy bottoms about -50~200m deep. Like many members of its genus, this species is very variable in varix development and specimens differ in spine strength and webbedness. An uncommon, deep water form has large wing-like webbed varices. Large specimens may reach 150mm in shell length.

Erosaria englerti (Summers & Burgess, 1965) <br />
CYPRAEIDAE<br />
Dived in shallow water, Easter Island, Coll. xi/2012, 23.1mm, F++<br />
The "Father Englert's Cowry" is a famous and sought-after cowry best known from Easter Island. A beautiful cowry with distinct white spots, it is endemic to two islands in the easternmost point of the Polynesian Triangle: Easter Island and Isla Salas y Gómez. Although long considered a rare cowry, it is not uncommon in its habitat and its apparent rarity on the market was mostly due to its restricted range. Much easier to obtain nowadays, its current market rarity is perhaps best described as uncommon. It is an omnivorous gastropod living in rocky crevices of reefs from depths of around -2~40m, and has been reported to live in association with sea urchins. It is named in honour of Father Sebastian Englert, a well known pioneering missionary priest of Easter Island. Average adult shell length is about 22~25mm and the record size is 28.8mm.

Tylospira scutulata (Gmelin, 1791) <br />
STRUTHIOLARIIDAE<br />
Trawled, Off Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia, 31.2mm, F++<br />
An endemic species of Eastern Australia, this is an example the of "Ostrich Foot" family, a very small family of about five species virtually restricted to Australia, New Zealand, and Southern Ocean. This species is the only extant species in genus Tylospira and is unusual in the family in having a very smooth shell. It relies on filter-feeding with its gills for food and lives in sandy bottoms around the depths of -5~90m. Uncommonly offered on the market but it is in fact locally common. Average size about 40mm, giants may exceed 60mm.

Ophioglossolambis violacea (Swainson, 1821) <br />
STROMBIDAE<br />
Mauritius, 121mm, F+++<br />
The "Violet Spider Conch" is one of the most famous classic rarities of the conchology world, and perhaps the most beautiful of the spider conchs. Renowned for the deep violet hue inside the aperture, which distinguishes it from all other spider conchs. It is generally considered the most desirable strombid of the Indian Ocean, and was one of the fifty species chosen by S. Peter Dance in 'Rare Shells' (1969). Vast majority of specimens have been collected from Mauritius (especially Saint Brandon), and it appears to be endemic to the Mascarene Basin. Although it is probably not really a rare species in its locality, it is a rare species on the market even today due to limited access to its constrained habitat and the fact that shell collection is restricted by law in Mauritius. Development of digitation and length of siphonal canal highly variable. Immature specimens have unfilled digitation, lacks yellow spots on the outer lip, and has much weaker lirae in the aperture. Average shell length around 110-120mm but giant specimens may approach or even exceed 140mm.

Ampulla priamus (Gmelin, 1791) <br />
VOLUTIDAE<br />
Dredged, Almeria, Spain, 67.1mm, F++<br />
The "Spotted Flask" is a rather large volute ranging from West Medineterranean (Alboran Sea) to Northwest Africa. It is a representative volute of the Mediterranean region which is home to extremely few volutes. The spotted pattern is highly variable and there are both extensively spotted and completely unspotted forms. It is a common carnivorous gastropod found in moderate depths around -50~250m, on sandy and muddy bottoms. Average size is about 60-70mm but giants may grow as large as 100mm.

Pterynotus martinetanus (Röding, 1798) <br />
MURICIDAE<br />
-20m, Dived in the night, Balicasag Island, Bohol, Philippines, Coll. i/2011, 37.7mm, F++<br />
The "Fenestrate Murex" is a very colourful and beautiful muricid. This species appear to undergo colour change as growth progresses and comes in two forms, a smaller pink form and a larger yellow form shown here. The yellow form was known under the name of Murex fenestratus Dillwyn, 1817 but is generally accepted today as larger adults of the pink form, although some still consider it a separate species. The yellow form is rare and usually above 30mm in size and may approach 60mm, while the pink form is not uncommon and below 30mm in shell length. Interestingly, the yellow form is generally found in shallower depths (-5~50m) than the pink form (-50~300m). It is a predatory gastropod with a vast range from West Indian Ocean and Red Sea across to Philippines, Japan, and Hawaii. Specimens of the yellow form usually have lost the intricate scales and frills between varices, but the shown specimen is superb and retains them.

Sveltia lyrata (Brocchi, 1814) <br />
CANCELLARIIDAE<br />
Trawled, Off Ndayane, Petite-Côte, Sénégal, 41.0mm, F++ quality fresh dead collected vi/2013<br />
The "Lyrate Nutmeg" is an uncommon cancellariid native to West Africa ranging from Mauritania to South Africa. One of the easier to obtain species in genus Sveltia, which contains very unusual cancellariids including the elusive S. gladiator (Petit, 1976). A carnivorous gastropod, S. lyrata lives in moderate depths around -40~120m. Average size about 40mm, although they may grow to about 55mm.

Cymatium ranzanii (Bianconi, 1850) <br />
RANELLIDAE<br />
Ras Hafun, Somalia, 156mm, F++<br />
The "Ranzani's Triton" is a famous rarity among the tritons and one of S. Peter Dance's fifty Rare Shells (1969). Although described in 1850, it has a remarkable history of being "lost" for more than a century in literature until re-discovered by K. J. Grosch when diving in Mozambique in 1953. The remarks on Grosch's find was published by William K. Emerson and Anthony D'Attilio, who identified the species, in 1962. The angular but low shoulder and two distinct dark patches on the parietal callus together easily separates it from other Cymatium species. A predatory gastropod, it inhabits shallow water to about -40m depth and ranges from Northern Arabian Sea to Mozambique including Southern Red Sea. Average shell length is about 160mm, but giants are known to exceed 240mm.

Campanile symbolicum Iredale, 1917 <br />
CAMPANILIDAE<br />
-5~8m by scuba diver, Crawling in sand among rock ribbon weed, Canal Rocks, Southwestern Australia, 163mm, F+<br />
The "Bell Clapper" or "Giant Creeper" is a large gastropod endemic to Southwestern Australia. It is the only surviving member of family Campanilidae, which was abundant in the Tertiary Period and included one of the most gigantic gastropods -- Campanile giganteum (Lamarck, 1804) which is known to reach 60cm in shell length. The family has changed very little over time and this extant species is remarkably similar to its extinct relatives. It is a herbivorous species not uncommon in sandy bottoms of intertidal to shallow sublittoral waters. The record size is 244mm, although the average shell length is about 150mm.

Drupa elegans (Broderip & Sowerby I, 1829) <br />
MURICIDAE<br />
Manihi Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, 16mm, F+++<br />
The "Elegant Pacific Drupe" is a famous rarity among the genus Drupa. It is characterised by an unmistakable dark ring in the aperture which is unique to this species. It is greatly sought-after by collectors but very difficult to obtain as it is endemic to a small part of the French Polynesia and is rarely offered especially in fresh condition with operculum like the specimen shown. It is a carnivore living on intertidal rocks, and usually entirely encased in thick, hard overgrowth which takes a lot of effort to clean off. Adults range from 15 to 25mm in shell length.

Rotaovula hirohitoi Cate & Azuma in Cate, 1973 <br />
OVULIDAE<br />
Japan, 6.8mm, GEM-<br />
Although small, the intriguing sculpture and enchanting colouration make this species perhaps the most beautiful of all extant ovulids. Most ovulids are carnivorous and are specialist ectoparasites of octocorals including this rare species, which feeds exclusively on the tissues of its host Acanthogorgia inermis (Hedlund, 1890) which it lives on. It is found around the depth range of -20~200m, and with an average size range of 5~8mm one of the smallest ovulids. Ranges from Japan to Philippines, the amount of purple colour on the shell is variable but specimens from the Philippines tends to be more purple. It is named after Hirohito, the Emperor Showa of Japan, who was also a zoologist best known for his research in the taxonomy of hydrozoans.

Babelomurex latipinnatus (Azuma, 1961) <br />
MURICIDAE<br />
Philippines, 35.1mm, F++<br />
The "Wide-Spined Latiaxis" is an uncommon member of the subfamily Coralliophilinae native to waters ranging from Japan to Vietnam to Philippines. Extremely variable in spine development but usually has wide, plate-like spines which merges with adjascent spines that may grow flat or curled upwards. The depicted specimen has unusually extensive spines and it is rather rare to find a specimen like this. Shell colour also quite variable usually from pale yellow to pale brown, but may even be pale purple. It is a deep water coral specialist found around the depth of -100~200m, and large examples may exceed 40mm in size.

Latiaxis pilsbryi Hirase, 1908 <br />
MURICIDAE<br />
Philippines, 34.7mm, F++<br />
The "Pilsbry's Latiaxis" is a fascinating beauty and classic rarity in the subfamily Coralliophilinae. It has very fragile spines and vast majority of specimens are seriously damaged, live taken specimens in superb condition like the one depicted are very rare. Similar to juvenile Latiaxis mawae (Gray, 1834) but spines has less tendancy to curl upwards. The adults are easily differentiated as the body whorl of L. pilsbryi is much less detached from previous whorls compared to L. mawae. With a distribution from Japan to Vietnam to Northern Australia, this species is a deep water coral specialist inhabiting water depths of about -100~300m. Somewhat variable in shell colouration from white to light brown. Large specimens may exceed 40mm in size.

Hirtomurex teramachii (Kuroda, 1959) <br />
MURICIDAE<br />
Off Keelung, Northeast Taiwan, 36mm, F+++<br />
The "Teramachi's Latiaxis" is one of the most intricately sculptured beauties in the subfamily Coralliophilinae. A classic rarity historically best known from Japan and Taiwan. Although now more specimens are turning up from Philippines and East China Sea, the scaly sculpture is easily destroyed during cleaning and specimens in exceptional condition such as the one shown is still very hard to come by. It ranges from Japan to Australia, and is a deep water coral specialist found around the depth range of -150~400m. It is named after Mr. Akibumi Teramachi, a famous 20th Century Japanese shell collector as well as painter. Very large specimens may approach 60mm in shell length.

Pteropurpura centrifuga (Hinds, 1844) <br />
MURICIDAE<br />
-50m, Dredged by fishermen, San Jose Island, Panama, 52mm, F+++<br />
The "Centrifugal Murex" is a winged muricid native to moderately deep waters around -30~150m from west Mexico to Peru including Galápagos Islands. The shell is uniform in colour from pale to light brown with yellow-brown tan, and the tip of the shoulder spine curves slightly. A carnivorous species, it may exceed 90mm in shell length. Although moderately common, it is uncommon to find a clean and close to perfect specimen.

Nodipecten fragosus (Conrad, 1849) <br />
PECTINIDAE<br />
Dived, Florida, USA, 79.6mm, F+++<br />
This species has long been thought to be a synonym of Nodipecten nodosus (Linnaeus, 1758) and called the "Lion's Paw Scallop", but is now recognised as a separate species. N. fragosus has a range extending from North Carolina, USA down to the Gulf of Mexico, whereas N. nodosus is now considered a Caribbean species. N. fragosus has 7-8 strong radial ribs as opposed to N. nodosus' 9-11 and are easily told apart. Both valves of N. fragosus tends to have knobby and finely sculptured, much more so than N. nodosus. Although N. fragosus is a locally common species, specimens vary greatly in the extent of nodule development (shown specimen has poor nodules), and those with extensive nodules fetch high prices. It is a filter feeding species inhabing moderate depths around -35~150m.

Angaria tyria (Reeve, 1842) <br />
ANGARIIDAE<br />
Dived, Shark Bay, West Australia, 65.7mm, F++<br />
The "Tyria Delphinula" is a peculiar angariid endemic to Western Australia. Adults have no long spines unlike most congeners and instead have thousands of very fine and short hollow spines, although juveniles often still possess long spines. Shell white with a characteristic broad purple band which is lacking in rare albinistic specimens. An uncommon angariid, it can reach 70mm in size but averages at about 50mm and the specimen depicted is a giant. It is a grazing herbivore living in shallow water up to depth of about -30m.

Cymia tectum (Wood, 1828) <br />
MURICIDAE<br />
-2.5~3m, Dived, Coiba Island, Panama, 51.3mm, F++<br />
With numerous strong spiral ridges and large nodules, this is a very attractive rock shell native to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica to Ecuador. Rather variable in size reaching 75mm, the nodules are more sparse with increase of size and tends to point downwards in very large specimens. Also variable in colouration from cream to dark brown. It is a shallow water carnivore inhabiting rocky surface mostly less than -5m deep.

Tropidophora cuvieriana Petit, 1841<br />
POMATIIDAE<br />
On and between limestone rocks, 20km west of Ambilobe, Diana Region, Madagascar, 65mm, F+, Coll. x/1994<br />
The "Cuvier's Torpid Snail" is the largest species and the type species of genus Tropidophora, and also one of the most spectacular with its distinct double-keel sculpture. Perhaps the most famous of all Malagasy landsnails, it is endemic to Northwestern Madagascar and is a ground living herbivorous snail. Thought to be extinct until 1980s due to complete lack of supply of live-taken specimens for many years, but now some living populations have been re-discovered. Uncommon on the market and most specimens seen are from old collection. Up to about 65mm in size but averaging at around 50mm, the shown specimen is a very large one. It is named after the French 18-19th Century naturalist Georges Cuvier.

Marginella goodalli Sowerby I, 1825 <br />
MARGINELLIDAE<br />
Trawled off Ndayane, Petite-Côte, Sénégal, 28.3mm, F+++<br />
The "Goodall's Marginella" is a gorgeous margin shell native to West Africa from Morocco to Guinea. It is a carnivore / scavenger which lives around depths of -10~80m. It is quite variable in size, a common feature of many species in its family, and adult shell size ranges from 20mm to more than 50mm. The depicted specimen is a rather small one.

Glabella pseudofaba (Sowerby II, 1846) <br />
MARGINELLIDAE<br />
Trawled, Niditah, Petite-Côte, Sénégal, 29.1mm, F++, Coll. local fisherman vi/2013<br />
The "Queen Marginella" is one of the most eye-catching West African marginellids. The stunning pattern varies to a certain extent, and so does the spire height. An uncommon medium sized species which grows to 40mm, it ranges from Mauritania to Guinea. It is a carnivorous / scavenging gastropod found around the depth range of -10~50m.

Cassis tessellata (Gmelin, 1791) <br />
CASSIDAE<br />
Trawled, Mbour, Petite-Côte, Sénégal, 125.1mm, F+, Coll. local fisherman vi/2013<br />
The "West African Helmet" is a large cassid native to West Africa with a range extending from Senegal to Angola. Although its average size is said to be about 180~200mm specimens readily available on the market are typically only about 120mm. An uncommon species, large specimens above 200mm are quite rare and the record size is at 312mm. It is a shallow water carnivore that lives from very shallow water up to about -50m deep.

Annularia pulchra (Wood, 1828)<br />
ANNULARIIDAE<br />
In limestone crevices, Dry Harbour Mountain, Jamaica, 29mm, F++<br />
This is the largest extant species of the family Annulariidae, and with fantastic star-burst lip surely one of the most spectacular. Furthermore, the intricate microstructures on the shell surface produces a silky texture difficult to capture with photography. It is one of many hundreds of landsnails endemic to Jamaica and lives nocturnally in limestone karsts. Like most members of this family, the apex is deciduous and naturally falls when the snails mature. Average size around 28-30mm. Rather rare on the market due to its inaccessible habitat, like many other landsnails from this region.

Calliostoma annulatum (Lightfoot, 1786) <br />
CALLIOSTOMATIDAE<br />
-50~60m on kelp, Monterey Bay, California, USA, 23.7mm, F++<br />
With alternate hues of gold and purple, the "Ringed Top" is one of the most attractive top shells in the world. It is a herbivorous gastropod feeding on giant kelp leaves around -20~100m deep, and has a rather wide distribution on the Atlantic coast of Americas from south Alaska, USA to Baja California, Mexico. Majority of specimens on the market however comes from California, USA. Large specimens may reach 35mm. Although a common species, its price has risen recently due to its beauty causing a high demand. The lovely colouration fades to a certain extent over the years.

Hexaplex stainforthi (Reeve, 1843) <br />
MURICIDAE<br />
Dampier, Western Australia, 50.7mm, F++<br />
The "Stainforth's Murex" is a common muricid native to Northwest Australia, although some records exist from as far north as the Maluku Islands in Indonesia. It is a shallow water carnivore and can be found in intertidal waters. There exists an albinistic form which has white varices instead of black, and is more uncommon. May exceed 70mm in shell length.

Pleuroploca clava (Jonas, 1846) <br />
FASCIOLARIIDAE<br />
Pamban, India, 112.8mm, F++<br />
The "Persian Horse Conch" is a large fasciolariid native to the Indian Ocean, with most specimens originating from Sri Lanka and India. A rare species until recent years and better known under the synonym Pleuroploca persica Reeve, 1847, today it is still uncommon. A predatory gastropod, it lives in shallow water down to about -20m. Average size 100~115mm, although occasionally giant specimens may exceed 130mm.

Chicoreus cervicornis (Lamarck, 1822) <br />
MURICIDAE<br />
-40~50m, Trawled, Off Kupang, Timur Island, Indonesia, 48.2mm, F++<br />
The "Deer Antler Murex" is a muricid with very extensively branched spines which ranges from Indonesia to Northern Australia. It is a common predatory gastropod living in shallow to moderate depths around -10~150m. Development of spines rather variable, and highly branched specimens such as the one depicted are sought-after by collectors. Average size about 55mm, although very large specimens may exceed 70mm.

Semicassis whitworthi (Abbott, 1968) <br />
CASSIDAE<br />
-150~200m, crayfish trap on flat reef, off Cervantes, Western Australia, 75.8mm, F++<br />
The "Whitworth's Bonnet" is a rare cassid endemic to Western Australia. Much sought-after by collectors, it is a deep-water carnivore found mostly around depths of -100~200m and usually taken by lobster traps or trawls. The numerous beaded cords are characteristic of this species, and unique among the genus Semicassis. The depicted specimen is rather large for the species, but may very rarely exceed 80mm.

Hysteroconcha lupanaria (Lesson, 1831) <br />
VENERIDAE<br />
-25m, dived, Baja California, Mexico, 54.4mm, F+/F++<br />
The "Panamic Comb Venus" is an immediate standout among bivalves because of its long spines protruding from the posterior slope of each valve. It is very unusual for a non-spondylid bivalve to have long spines, and in this species younger specimens tends to have longer spines. It is a locally common burrowing filter feeder living on sandy bottoms from intertidal to -3m depth. Distributed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean from Mexico to Peru, it is very similar to its congeners H. dione (Linnaeus, 1758) and H. multispinosa (Sowerby II, 1851). H. dione tends to have shorter spines and is distrubuted only in the Western Atlantic Ocean, whereas H. multispinosa is also an Eastern Pacific species but has more prominent, erect ribs and more numerous spines.

Blaesospira echinus infernalis (Torre & Bartsch, 1941)<br />
ANNULARIIDAE<br />
In the shade, crevice of large boulder, high on Sierra de la Penitencia, Viñales, Pinar del Río Province, Cuba, 8.4mm, F++, operculum dried inside, Coll. Simon Aiken, viii/2008<br />
With specific and subspecific names literally meaning the "spiny snail from hell", this species must be one of the most strikingly ornamented landsnails known. A tiny species 5~10mm in size, it is endemic to two high altitude localities in Pinar del Río Province, Cuba. Mature shells develop a magnificent "star-burst" lip but naturally loses the apex, although very rarely adult specimens retaining the apex are found. Not often offered because of the difficulty to reach their habitat.

Turbo jourdani Kiener, 1839 <br />
TURBINIDAE<br />
By diver, Esperance, Western Australia, 212mm, F+<br />
The "Jourdan's Turban" is the second largest extant turban shell, just behind Turbo marmoratus Linnaeus, 1758 which holds the record. The specimen depicted is quite large for this not uncommon species, but they may reach 240mm. This species is endemic to Western and Southern Australia. It inhabits shallow water to about -30m depth just offshore along rocky reefs, it is a grazing herbivore. Most specimens seen on the market have filed lips because it is a thin-lipped species almost always with chipped lip. This is especially true for large ones over 200mm, and finding a specimen with natural lip is quite difficult.

Trigonostoma scalare (Gmelin, 1791) <br />
CANCELLARIIDAE<br />
Balocasag Island, Philippines, 25mm, F+++<br />
The "Triangle Nutmeg" is a uniquely shaped and sculptured nutmeg shell like many in its genus. Once ago rare and better known under the synonym Trigonostoma pellucida (Perry, 1811), it is today a rather common species mostly originating from Philippines. A widely distributed carnivorous species ranging from Sri Lanka to Australia, it inhabits offshore waters of moderate depths, most commonly around depth of -10~30m and may reach 40mm in shell length.

Cabestana spengleri (Perry, 1811) <br />
RANELLIDAE<br />
-10~15m, Dunalley Bay, Tasmania, Australia, 136.4mm, F++<br />
The "Spengler's Triton" is a large triton native to southern & eastern Australia and New Zealand (including Kermadec Islands). It is a common carnivorous species in both rough and calm waters up to about -30m depth living among rocks and seaweed. The specimen shown here is wider than usual and is "double-lipped". Large specimens may exceed 160mm in shell length.

Naquetia annandalei (Preston, 1910)<br />
MURICIDAE<br />
Balut Island, Philippines, 78mm<br />
<br />
Shell with delicate, webbed, wing-like varices and intricately latticed fine sculpture makes the "Annandale's Murex" an attractive species much sought-after by shell collectors. Initially discovered off Gobalpur in the Bay of Bengal, India by Thomas Nelson Annandale (1876-1924), a British zoologist focusing mainly on sponges who worked primarily in the Indian Museum in Calcutta and Zoological Survey of India; the shells were sent to and studied by the British malacologist Hugh Preston (1871-1945), who named it after Annandale. Morphologically identical specimens quickly emerged from other, more eastern localities such as Japan and the Philippines, and today we know its range extends to Marquesas Islands and even Queensland, Australia. There has been great debate and confusion regarding whether it is the same species (and therefore a junior synonym) of the similar Naquetia barclayi (Reeve, 1858) from the Western Indian Ocean, originally described from Mauritius and ranges southwards to South Africa. Most literature of the past couple of decades has treated N. annandalei as a junior synonym of N. barclayi, though some have cast doubts on the decision. Recently, by carefully examining shell sculpture of specimens including juveniles, a number of reliable morphological differences could be found, leading it to be finally brought out from synonym and rehabilitated as a full species. The protoconch of N. annandalei is smaller than that of N. barclayi (1.1-1.5 mm vs 2.1-3.0 mm), and the two species also exhibit fine but consistent differences in spiral sculpture. Furthermore, the shells of N. annandalei have narrower, longer anterior siphonal canals than N. barclayi. Although generally speaking the shells of N. annadalei are narrower and less shouldered than N. barclayi, which is generally cited as their primary difference, this feature is actually variable among both species and correct identification requires examination of finer details in shell sculpture. A carnivorous and predatory gastropod, N. annandalei inhabits hard bottoms of moderately deep water around -50~200m and feeds on other invertebrate animals. The colouration is extremely variable (likewise in N. barclayi), ranging from dark brown to bright yellow. Typical shell length around 85 mm, extremely large specimens have been found to exceed even 130 mm.

Neptunea decemcostata (Say, 1826) <br />
BUCCINIDAE<br />
Deep water, off Portland, Maine, USA, 64.5mm, F+, Coll. vii/1981<br />
The "New England Whelk" is a common North Atlantic buccinid native to North America ranging from Newfoundland, Canada to North Carolina, USA. Numerous strong spiral ridges makes this an attractive and unforgettable species. Colour of shell and ridge is rather variable, sometimes distinct and sometimes not (also fades over time). A carnivorous species, it lives in a very wide range of water depths ranging from about -5m to more than -600m. Good quality specimens with intact protoconch is uncommon, large specimens can reach 100mm. Previously considered a subspecies of Neptunea lyrata Gmelin, 1791, it is now considered a full species in its own right.

Ocenebra erinacea (Linnaeus, 1758) <br />
MURICIDAE<br />
-40~60m, Malaga, Spain, 52.5mm, F+++<br />
The "European Sting Winkle" is a common murex quite widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea, its range also includes Northwest Europe and Northwest Africa. Very variable in sculpture, varix strength, and varix formation. The specimen shown here is the form O. erinacea f. hanleyi (Dautzenberg, 1887) with strong, angular varices. It is a carnivore occuring in variable depths rannging from intertidal to -150m. The specimen shown is a quite large example, although this species may attain shell lenght of more than 60mm.

Vokesimurex yuhsiuae Houart, 2014 <br />
MURICIDAE<br />
Cebu, Cebu Island, Philippines, 85.5mm

Pagodula lochi Marshall & Houart, 2011<br />
MURICIDAE<br />
-550m (-300 fathoms), off Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 34.2mm, F+++<br />
This is a recently described new species of uncommon murex endemic to New South Wales, Australia. It lives in very deep water around -400m and attains maximum size of 36mm. The depicted specimen is in very good condition for this species which has very fragile varices.

Voluta musica Linnaeus, 1758 <br />
VOLUTIDAE<br />
-30~40m, Puerto Francés, Venezuela, 93mm, F+/F++<br />
The "Common Music Volute" is one of the most famous and representative species of Volutidae. Aptly named from its intruiguing pattern which resembles the musical staff, it is a common species in the moderate depths of southern Carribean. Greatly variable in size, both length (very large specimens may exceed 100mm in shell length, although the average is about 70mm) and more notably breadth. Also variable in colouration and pattern, some specimens are almost completely golden although the characteristic music staff pattern is always present. Depicted here is a very large specimen for the form V. musica f. guinaica Lamarck, 1811, from old collection.

Austrotrophon catalinensis (Oldroyd, 1927) <br />
MURICIDAE<br />
Deep water, Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, California, USA, 53.7mm, F+<br />
This is my other specimen of the "Catalina Trophon", smaller and not as good condition as the one posted earlier. Although once rather common in southern California when deep dredging was permitted, after the dredge ban it is only obtainable from old collection. Due to this, its market value has rocketed as it is today a rarely seen on the market and very difficult to obtain.

Forreria belcheri (Hinds, 1843) <br />
MURICIDAE<br />
-5~10m, dived, Los Angeles (Harbour Region), California, USA, 100.8mm, F++<br />
The "Giant Forreria" is a large muricid common in the shallow water of California, USA to Baja California, Mexico. A carnivorous gastropod feeding mostly on bivalves such as oysters, it can exceed 160mm in shell length. Rib development variable and often broken, the shown specimen is quite good in condition for the species.

Ancistrolepis hikidai Kuroda, 1944 <br />
BUCCINIDAE<br />
-700m, Rausu, Hokkaido, Japan, 85.2mm, F++, Coll. 13/vi/1981, Female specimen<br />
The "Hikida's Whelk" is a rare deep water whelk native to Hokkaido, Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, and Kuril Islands, occuring mostly between depths of -100~500m. Very similar to Ancistrolepis grammatus (Dall, 1907) which generally lives in shallower water (-100~300m), it differs by having more numerous spiral ridges which are narrower and slightly weaker. This is especially clear when the specimen is compared in the umbilical view. A. hikidai also tends to have a slightly broader spire than A. grammatus.

Nucella lamellosa (Gmelin, 1791) <br />
MURICIDAE<br />
Low tide, Barkley Sound, Vancouver Island, Canada, 37.9mm, F+<br />
The "Frilled Dog Winkle" is an abundant muricid found in intertidal to subtidal (up to about -50m) waters of the west coast of North America. An extremely variable species, specimen greatly varies in development of frills, colouration, pattern, size, shell thickness and height; and individuals living in same area can be very different from one another. The specimen shown here has extremely well-developed frills and is more stout than usual. It is a predatory gastropod and mainly preys on bivalves and barnacles; may exceed 80mm in shell length.

Spondylus americanus Hermann, 1781 <br />
SPONDYLIDAE<br />
-30~37m (-100~120 ft), Boca Raton, Florida, USA, 160mm, F++<br />
The "Atlantic Thorny Oyster" is a large thory oyster native to the Atlantic coast of the Americas, ranging from North Carolina, USA to Brazil. Like most thorny oysters, it is very variable in colouration (white to orange to purple) and spine development. Specimens taken from locations shielded from currents usually have much longer spines than those from exposed locations. Although a common species, highly sought-after close-to-perfect long spined specimens are not easy to obtain and can command high prices. It is a sessile filter feeder living around depth of -15~50m.

Harpa gracilis Broderip & G. B. Sowerby I, 1829 <br />
HARPIDAE<br />
Mataiva Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia, 19mm, F-/F<br />
The "Graceful Harp" is one of the great rarities of the genus Harpa native to the Polynesia region (although there are also records from Clipperton Island). Today it is probably the second rarest Harpa on the market (the rarest being Harpa goodwini Rehder, 1993 from Hawaii). It is a small harp shell, maximum shell length is about 40mm. The only Harpa species with a white protoconch, it is easily differentiated from Harpa amouretta Röding, 1798 on that basis. The specimen shown has a hole and is either very fresh dead or a broken live collected shell, and has better colouration than most specimens seen on the market.

Tudivasum zanzibaricum (Abbott, 1958) <br />
TURBINELLIDAE<br />
By fishing boat, Nungwi, Zanzibar Archipelago, Tanzania, 51.5mm, F++<br />
The "Zanzibar Tudicula" is a classic rarity among the vase shells. As the name suggests it is endemic to rather deep waters of the Zanzibar Archipelago. In addition to long shoulder spines, adults develop a thick and glossy parietal shield which may be white or yellow, but most specimens available on market for reasonable price are juvenile specimens lacking the shield. Although much easier to obtain today, adult specimens are still rather rare. Very large specimens may exceed 60mm in shell length.

Austrotrophon catalinensis (Oldroyd, 1927) <br />
MURICIDAE<br />
About -100m, Santa Barbara Channel, California, USA, 72.2mm, F++<br />
The "Catalina Trophon" is a very rare and elusive trophon found in waters around -50~100m deep from southern California to Mexico, with majority of specimens originating from California. A highly sought-after collector's item among the trophons, it is perhaps one of the rarest shells of California. The depicted specimen is unusual in being actually wider than tall (72.2mm vs 71.2mm), most specimens are more slender.

Ancistrolepis grammatus (Dall, 1907) <br />
BUCCINIDAE<br />
-200m, Hokkaido, Japan, 116.7mm, GEM-<br />
The "Grammatus Whelk" is the most famous of all Japanese cold water whelks and surely one of the most majestic buccinids. A rare species endemic to Hokkaido and the Sea of Okhotsk, vast majority of specimens come from Hokkaido. Although there are a few other similar Japanese buccinids, this species has the strongest spiral ridging. It is a carnivorous gastropod living in rather deep water around -150~400m and shell length may reach 120mm. Has thick, dark periostracum typical of the genus, and the ostracum is pure white.

$Conus crocatus Lamarck, 1810 <br /> CONIDAE<br /> -15~20m, Olango Island, Cebu, Philippines, 66.9mm, F+/F++, Coll. vii/2013<br /> The "Saffron Cone" used to be a rare species until the late 20th Century and was selected by S. Peter Dance as one of his fifty "Rare Shells" (1969). It is today however only uncommon and may be obtained at a fraction of its value in the old days. Widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific from Japan to East Africa, it is a hunting carnivore like other cones. Most specimens have significant growth scars, and large perfect specimens are still quite scarce.$

Vasum capitellum (Linnaeus, 1758) <br />
TURBINELLIDAE<br />
-5m, Plage de Bois Jolan, Sainte-Anne, Guadeloupe, 49.6mm, F++<br />
The "Caribbean Vase" is a common vase shell found throughout the southern Caribbean. Development of spines and sculpture on the shell is very variable depending on the environment where an individual lives, specimens from rough waters are typically very worn whereas specimens from calm waters (such as the one shown) often show extensive sculpture and well-developed spines. It is a carnivorous species living in shallow water up to -10m depth, and can grow to more than 70mm in shell length.