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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.

Pleioptygma helenae (Radwin & Bibbey, 1972) <br /> PLEIOPTYGMATIDAE<br /> Dived, Gordo Bank (16°N, 82°W), Caribbean Sea, Honduras, 87.9mm <br /> <br /> A large mitriform shell decorated by irregular golden-brown clouds and dotted spiral lines of a similar colour characterises the "Helen's Miter", a classic rarity endemic to the Caribbean Sea and supposedly ranges from Honduras to Colombia, though vast majority of specimens originate from Honduras and Nicaragua. Although superficially resembling a giant mitrid, it actually belongs to neither Mitridae nor Costellariidae; it is the only extant species in the family Pleioptygmatidae. The genus Pleioptygma was originally erected in 1963 by Timothy Conrad to house Neogene fossil species from the southeastern USA, and its familial placement has been a complicated taxonomic conundrum. Before erecting the genus, Conrad originally described the type-species-to-be from Pliocene as Voluta carolinense Conrad, 1840, transferring it to Mitridae in 1842, and then reverted back to when he erected the new genus Pleioptygma under Volutidae. Many authors, such as William Healey Dall, continued to place it under Mitridae nevertheless. Walter Cernohorsky in 1970 strengthened the volutid argument and referred it to Scaphellinae, but Clifton Weaver and John duPont (1970) did not include it in their Volutidae monograph. Cernohorsky's argument was also rejected by George Radwin and Loyal Bibbey (1972) who described the present living species in Mitridae, treating Pleioptygma as a subgenus of Mitra. These discussions and disputes were all based on inconclusive shell characters (as shells of mitrids and volutids are rather variable), however, and the solution had to wait until the examination of soft parts. In 1989, James Quinn published a description of the anatomy of P. helenae based on two live-caught specimens and although his specimens were incomplete (visceral mass broken due to attempting to extract the animal while preserving the intact shells) they clearly had very different foregut morphology to either Mitridae or Volutidae. The radula was more similar to that of mitrids but the rachidian was much wider. Based on these evidences Quinn erected a new family, Pleioptygmatidae, to house this controversial genus. Since this family is relatively little-known and the present species is only living one known, it is usually still offered as a mitrid on dealers' lists and tables. A carnivorous gastropod inhabiting moderately deep water around -30~150m, its choice of prey is not known but is predicted to be worm-like invertebrates such as sipunculans and polychaetes. Typical shell length around 90mm, extremely large specimens are known to exceed 125mm. It is named in honour of the late Mrs. Helen Thompson from California, USA. The type specimens were initially reported to be crabbed shells from Cay Sal Bank between Florida, USA and Cuba, but no other specimens have been caught near that area since and it is greatly outside the known distribution. The type locality was thus emended to Gorda Bank, Honduras by James Quinn (1989). Although easier to obtain today, most specimens are come from lobster pots and are crabbed; a large live-taken specimen is still a rather rare find.
Lindafulgur candelabrum (Lamarck, 1816) <br /> BUSYCONIDAE<br /> -55m, Trawled on fine, silty sand among algae by commercial fisherman, Gulf of Campeche, Mexico, 2017/i, 144.4mm <br /> <br /> Characterised by moderately strong constriction between the body whorl and the siphonal canal and large irregular spines the "Splendid Whelk" is one of the rarest busyconid species, commonly referred to as 'Busycon whelks'. Due to their large, often attractively coloured shells busyconids are one of the most iconic snails of North America and are highly sought after by collectors. Only less than 20 living species of busyconids are currently known and most are common, this species is one of the hardest to obtain and often a source of frustration for collectors hoping to amass a complete collection of busyconids. A carnivorous gastropod feeding on various marine invertebrates, it inhabits sandy to muddy bottoms of moderate depths up to around 60m deep. Endemic to Gulf of Mexico and ranges from Texas, USA to Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, although most specimens known have originated from the southern part of the range near Yucatan, Mexico. Juvenile specimens have comparatively more regularly spaced shoulder spines than adults. Typical shell length around 150mm, extremely large specimens are known to exceed even 230mm. It is most similar to its only living congener, L. lyonsi (Petuch, 1987), which appears to have a limited distribution in western Florida, USA with most specimens originating from Tampa Bay. Although L. lyonsi have been in the past suggested to be only an ecomorphotype of L. candelabrum, today they are recognised as separate full species. Initially the two may appear difficult to separate, but L. lyonsi has much smaller spines which are more numerous and more closely spaced than those in L. candelabrum. Also, L. lyonsi is much smaller than L. candelabrum, only reaching up to about 140mm in shell length. Previously placed in genus Busycon, which has been subject to a complicated taxonomic history, being moved around Melongenidae and Buccinidae. This confusion was settled in 2015, with the monograph "The living and fossil Busycon whelks: Iconic mollusks of eastern North America" (Petuch, Myers & Berschauer, 2015) published by San Diego Shell Club laying out evidences that Busycon whelks ought to be treated as its own family: Busyconidae. The genus Lindafulgur was originally erected to house the now extinct L. lindajoyceae (Petuch, 1991)†, which is clearly closely related to the two living species L. candelabrum and L. lyonsi.
Austrasiatica sakuraii (Habe, 1970) <br /> CYPRAEIDAE<br /> -200m, By tangle net, Tinina, Balut Island, Davao Occidental, Mindanao, Philippines, 2017/iii, 46.5mm <br /> <br /> Brown blotches carrying the signature fine and regular netted pattern on the dorsum characterises the "Sakurai's Cowrie", one of the rarest and most coveted cypraeids of the western Pacific. Ranging from Izu Oshima, southeast Honshu, Japan to South China Sea to the Philippines, most specimens are now taken by tangle nets in the Philippines. It was included as one of the "Rare Shells of Taiwan" (1979) by the eminent Taiwanese collector T. C. Lan, and is often included in the "Five Famous Cowries of Japan". An omnivorous gastropod, it usually inhabits rocky bottoms of rather deep waters around 100~250m deep, although specimens have been found as shallow as -30m. Development of the dorsal pattern is extremely variable, in some individuals it covers most of the dorsum while in others it is barely present. The pattern determines to a large extent the attractiveness and hence desirability of each particular specimen, those with truly aesthetic patterns are very rare and fetch high prices. Fresh specimens often carry a purplish hue, which unfortunately fades after some time. Typical shell length around 45mm, extremely large specimens may exceed 60mm. It was named in honour of Dr. Kin'ichi Sakurai (1912-1993), famous for assembling one of the most important personal molluscan collections in recent Japan (now housed in the National Museum of Nature and Science, Japan). He allowed many researchers to visit and study his collection, leading to the discovery and description of many new species including this one. His true speciality was however mineralogy, and his mineral collection was even better than his malacological collection. Despite having a doctorate in mineralogy most of his collecting and research were done as an amateur, alongside managing his family business of a tori-nabe (Japanese hot pot chicken stew) restaurant. Although rather similar to the congener Austrasiatica hirasei (Roberts, 1913), A. hirasei lacks the finely netted pattern on the dorsum and also has finer teeth in general.
Entemnotrochus rumphii (Schepman, 1879) <br /> PLEUROTOMARIIDAE<br /> -200~250m, Trawled, Southwest off Amami Oshima, Amami Islands, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, 2010/vi, 234.7mm <br /> <br /> A stunning conical shell decorated by frequent flammules characterises the "Rumphius' Slit Shell", the largest of all known extant pleurotomariids and a species of legendary fame among collectors. Originally described by Martinus Schepman in 1879, the holotype was deposited and remains in Natuurhistorisch Museum Rotterdam. Only two more have been discovered until 1969 (both from Taiwan: a juvenile in Kawamura collection and an adult in Oyama collection), when the fourth specimen turned up in Taiwan. Since both specimens in Japanese collections were destroyed during World War II, Toba Aquarium was determined to purchased it for Japan and in the end paid 10,000USD for it. This is often cited as the most expensive shell in history as it has been recognised by Guinness World Records (in reality more costly transactions have occured, of course). he discovery of three further specimens shortly after in 1970 triggered the formation of the Malacological Society of Taiwan, for which this species serve as the emblem. It was listed by the eminent Taiwanese collector and dealer T. C. Lan as one of the "Rare Shells of Taiwan" (1979) and similarly listed as one of the 50 rare shells selected by the famed Japanese malacologist Dr. Tadashige Habe. Rather widely distributed in the western Pacific, most specimens are known from the area encompassing southern Honshu, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. The holotype apparently originates from the Moluccas, Indonesia, but it has not been recorded from there since. A carnivorous grazer feeding chiefly on sponges (but also soft corals), it inhabits soft bottoms with relatively strong currents around 50~350m deep. Being one of the only two living species of Entemnotrochus and the only species in the Pacific Ocean, it can be separated from all other Pacific pleurotomariids by its very long slit / selenizone (characteristic of the genus) and large size. The average shell diameter of adult specimens is already around 170mm, although occasionally large specimens over 200mm are found. At 234.7mm the depicted specimen is already extremely large, but the largest currently known specimen is a true monster at 278.0mm in Don Pisor collection. Though apocryphal reports of specimens as large as 350mm have been widespread, there have been no solid evidence of these rumours whatsoever. The colouration is rather variable, specimens from Japan (north of Okinawa) tends to be pinkish with sparse purplish red flammules (as shown), whereas specimens from more southern waters are characterised by a stronger orange hue and more frequent flammules. In geronic specimens the final whorl inflates and the flammules increase in frequency. Young specimens usually exhibit a strong yellow colouration that is almost always lost in adults. The shell form and sculpture is also rather variable, ranging from typical smooth shells with relatively low spire (shown) to those exhibiting strongly beaded cancellate sculpture with tall, clearly stepped spire. The latter was named as a new species, E. urashima Shikama & Oishi in Shikama, 1977, but is now considered to be merely a form. A fossil subspecies, E. r. kushimotoensis Tomida & Sako, 2016, was recently described from the Middle Miocene of Wakayama Prefecture, Honshu, Japan. Although still a rather costly species to obtain today, this is mostly due to the very high desirability and demand, as it has become only uncommon with bottom tralwers bringing up numerous specimens especially from the East China Sea. Vast majority of specimens are small and poor in quality, however, and specimens combining good size and quality remains a challenge and expensive to obtain. Specimens from the Philippines are taken by tangle nets and are generally of higher quality. To own a decent, exceptionally large specimen over 200mm is a dream of many collectors.
Siratus beauii (P. Fischer & Bernardi, 1857) <br /> MURICIDAE<br /> -300~400m, In lobster traps, Offshore Guadeloupe, Leeward Islands, Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea, 2016, Coll. Berbard Brochier, 102.4mm <br /> <br /> The "Beau's Murex" is a highly attractive muricid characterised by numerous beaded axial ribs and alternating brown and white bands, rather widely distributed in the western Atlantic Ocean ranging from southern Florida, USA to the Caribbean Sea to Uruguay. One of many molluscan species first discovered by Commandant Beau in the Caribbean Sea during the early 1800s, this species was named in honour of him. It remained extremely rare and one of the most desirable muricids for more than a Century since its discovery, leading to its inclusion as one of S. Peter Dance's 50 "Rare Shells" (1969). Its apparent rarity was largely due to its deep habitat, being a carnivorous and predatory gastropod with a bathymetric range around 150~500m deep. It is extremely variable in varix development, ranging from having virtually no shoulder spines and fronds to exhibiting long spines and spectacularly webbed wing-like fronds (shown). This seems to be related to depth, as specimens from shallower part of its depth range tend to have poorly developed fronds and those from deep water exceeding 350m usually have wing-like varices. Specimens from deeper waters also tends to be larger in size. Local environment is apparently another factor, with the form branchi Clench, 1953 being a spineless variety known only from the Gulf of Campeche, Mexico. Although considered to be a rather common species nowadays, only the poorly frilled form is readily obtainable. Deep water specimens with extensive frills, especially those with all three fronds of the body whorl preserved in fine condition, is still very scarce and is a real challenge to obtain even today. Typical shell length around 90mm, extremely large specimens are known to exceed even 150mm.
Chicoreus loebbeckei (Kobelt, 1879) <br /> MURICIDAE<br /> -150~200m, By tangle net, Panglao, Bohol, Central Visayas, Philippines, 37.9mm <br /> <br /> Spectacularly broad wings combined with equally superb colouration makes the "Loebbecke's Murex" one of the pinnacles of exquisiteness among not only the muricids but all molluscan shells. Widely recognised as one of the most sought-after muricids of all, it was selected tas one of fifty "Rare Shells" by S. Peter Dance (1969). One of Dance's favourites, he described his impressions of the specimen from Natural History Museum, London as "the loveliest, most exquisite natural object he had ever seen. Its image is still fresh in his memory and will not easily be effaced or dimmed" (p. 75). Its distribution range is quite wide in the western Pacific, from central Japan to the Philippines to Queensland, Australia. A carnivorous and predatory gastropod, it inhabits hard substrates such as reef structures in rather deep water around -100~300m. Prior to the late 20th Century it remained a very rare species mainly due to its habitat being quite deep, the main source being coral fisheries in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. However, due to the rough conditions in coral nets virtually no Japanese specimens retained intact varices. It was when tangle netting became popular in the Philippines that high quality specimens really started to become available on the market. Japanese specimens tend to have more intricate sculpture between varices, but this may largely reflect the difference between the typical shell cleaning methods employed in Japan and the Philippines. Typical shell length around 50mm, extremely large specimens may exceed 75mm. Although today only an uncommon species, specimens over 60mm with intact varices are still very rare and command high prices. The development (especially breadth) of the varices is somewhat variable among individuals. The colouration is very variable, although the typical colouration is orange, it ranges between white to pink to yellow to red; white being the rarest. The first specimen (holotype) known was in the collection of Theodor Loebbecke, a German conchologist, to whom Whihelm Kobelt dedicated this species to.
Naquetia barclayi (Reeve, 1858) <br /> MURICIDAE<br /> -100m, Dredged, Southern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 74.8mm <br /> <br /> Intricate wing-like varices combined with fabulous colouration earned the "Barclay's Murex" great admiration from collectors ever since its discovery in the mid-19th Century. Originally it was known from only two specimens washed up on shore in Saint Brandon, Mauritius after the passage of a hurricane and collected by Sir David Barclay the eminent conchologist who collected many Indian Ocean species for the first time. Lovell Reeve received these specimens for description, which he did, and the species was christened after its discoverer. Of these two syntypes, one ended up in the Melvill-Tomlin collection (now in National Museum Wales) and the other in the Mrs de Burgh collection (now in Natural History Museum, London). For more than a Century no further specimens were found in the western Indian Ocean and together with its great beauty it became famous as one of the rarest and sought-after muricids, being chosen as one of S. Peter Dance's 50 "Rare Shells" (1969). Very similar specimens, however, have turned up in more eastern waters, first from Bay of Bengal, then Japan, and later in great quantity from the Philippines. The shells of these eastern specimens had much finer sculpture and were generally narrower than the Indian Ocean specimens, leading Hugh Preston to give them a new name -- Pteronotus annandalei Preston, 1910. This name commemorated Prof. Thomas Nelson Annandale, a British marine biologist working primarily in India who is most famous for his work on sponges but also occasionally studied other groups such as molluscs. Later this name was synonymised with N. barclayi, making it a muricid with a very wide distribution throughout the Indo-West Pacific. Many still consider the western and eastern populations to be different at least in the subspecies level, and due to their conchological differences they are easily separable. The eastern "annadalei" has become commonly available due to tangle nets in the Philippines bringing up great supplies, while the true "barclayi" (shown) from western Indian Ocean remains elusive even today, with specimens only occasionally turning up from mostly Mozambique and South Africa, usually in the form of dead and chipped shells. A carnivorous and predatory gastropod, it inhabits rocky bottoms of rather deep water around -50~200m and feeds on other invertebrate animals such as bivalves and barnacles. The colouration is extremely variable from bright yellow to red to dark brown. Typical shell length around 80mm, extremely large specimens may exceed 105mm.
Timbellus bednalli (Brazier, 1878) <br /> MURICIDAE<br /> Lowtide, On rock, One Arm Point (aka. Ardyaloon), North of Broome, Kimberly Region, Western Australia, Australia, 69.3mm <br /> <br /> An extremely attractive species with wide, beautifully pleated varices, the "Bednall's Murex" is a highly sought-after muricid endemic to Australia. Ranging from Kimberly, Western Australia to Northern Territory, it is a carnivorous and predatory gastropod feeding on other invertebrate animals inhabiting soft bottom with scattered rocks in shallow water from low intertidal zone down to about -30m. Although only uncommon it is famous for its fine-looking shell and the market demand is very high, and thus specimens usually fetch high prices. Another factor contributing to its high price is that large, beautiful specimens with intact fronds are rarely found. As its habitat (usually mud flats with scattered rocks) becomes exposed and accessible on extreme low tides, it is a prime target of conchologists collecting during such times in Australia. It is an instantly recognisable species, but the varix development is very variable among individuals in terms of the width. The colouration is also very variable, from white to orange to pink to dark brown. Typical shell length around 70mm, extremely large specimens may exceed 95mm. The Aboriginal Australians call it the "butterfly shell", inspired by its large wing-like varices. It is named in honour of the Australian malacologist William Tompson Bednall (1838-1915) who worked on many groups of molluscs but is perhaps most famous for his masterly treatment of polyplacophorans (chitons).
Murex queenslandicus Ponder & Vokes, 1988 <br /> MURICIDAE<br /> -85m, Trawled, Off Lady Elliot Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia, 77.7mm <br /> <br /> An elegant and delicate muricid, the "Queensland Murex" is best known from Queensland, Australia as its name suggests. An uncommon species, vast majority of specimens including the type series originate from Queensland and it has been considered to be an endemic there. A few examples are now known from other localities however, including Tonga Island in the western Pacific and off Dampier, Western Australia, although the Dampier record remains questionable. A rather small Murex, its average shell length is around 80mm with the largest specimens exceed 95mm. It is a carnivorous and predatory gastropod feeding on other invertebrate animals and inhabit soft sandy bottoms around -30~150m deep. Colouration of the shell is rather variable ranges from white to tan, but appears to depend on the locality. For example, specimens from the Great Barrier Reef are snow white and those from off Townsville often have brown band. Other than the colour, the shell is little-varied among individuals from all localities and is usually easily recognisable. It is similar to Murex pecten Lightfoot, 1786 in the general form and construct, but differs by having less spines and much smaller in size. The two species that are perhaps most easily confused with it are M. spectabilis Ponder & Vokes, 1988 and M. spicatus Ponder & Vokes, 1988. The former species can be differenntiated by having more numerous and stronger curved spines on the siphonal canal; the latter species can be differentiated by a lack of axial intervarical sculpture and larger size. The numerous granule-like gemmation in the intervarical space characteristic of M. queenslandicus, caused by the rather strong axial sculpture crossing with spiral ribs, is much stronger than either of the two species; the posterior spines are also more wide-spread and less posteriorly directed.
Brechites nagahamai (Kosuge, 1979) <br /> PENICILLIDAE<br /> -25m, Inabanga, Bohol Island, Central Visayas, Philippines, 146.7mm <br /> <br /> The "Nagahama's Watering Pot" is a moderately large penicillid 'watering pot' clam native to the western Pacific. Initially described from Okinawa, Japan, it has long been considered to be an endemic there until recently some specimens were discovered in the Philippines, greatly extending its range southwards. It appears to be an extremely scarce species, and very few specimens have been found considering its size and diveable habitat. A member of the anomalodesmacean bivalve superfamily Clavagelloidea famous by their remarkable behaviour of building a calcareous tube, called the 'adventitious tube'. At the earliest stages of life after settlement it bears normal bivalved true shells, at around the size of 4~6mm shell length it abruptly stops growing the true shells and instead starts building the adventitious tube. The true shells remain attached to the external surface of the adventitious tube and is entirely visible in this species. The behaviour of building an adventitious tube is considered to have started as an external, extra protection for the soft siphons extending above seafloor for water exchange and feeding. Eventually, over evolutionary time scale, the adventitious tube has evolved to become the sole armour protecting the animal. The 'watering pot' end is anterior, and the tube extends posteriorly. In adults the posterior end carries several (usually 2~3 in this species) so-called 'siphonal collars' (another, fabulous, name is 'pleated ruffles'), equivalent of varices, showing breaks in growth stages post-maturity. A filter-feeding species, it inhabits sand to rubble bottoms (especially coral sand) around 20~30m deep and lives an infaunal life buried within sand. Unlike many other 'watering pot' clams, it is usually seen buried right up to the siphonal collar and is very challenging to spot, probably accounting partly for its great apparent rarity. Typical length of the adventitious tube around 150mm, large specimens may exceed 170mm although it seems generally very consistent in size. In Japan it has been confused with Nipponoclava gigantea (Sowerby, 1888), the only other large penicillid in the country, although there is really no room for confusion given the much smaller size in both the adventitious tube and the true shells in B. nagahamai. The species that B. nagahamai may really be easily confused with is Brechites australis (Chenu, 1843), which has a similar size in terms of both the adventitious tube and true shells (that are exposed in a similar manner). Specimens of the two are easily separable in close inspection, however. Firstly, the 'watering pot' part of the tube (the 'anterior plate') is distinctively smaller in B. nagahamai compared to B. australis. Secondly, the siphonal collar of B. nagahamai is characteristically well-developed with spinous fronds, but the collars of B. australis are always poorly developed without well-formed spines.
Buccinum koshikinum Okutani, 1988 <br /> BUCCINIDAE<br /> -180~240m, East-Northeast Off Uotsuri Island, Senkaku Islands (aka. Diaoyu / Tiaoyutai / Pinnacle Islands), East China Sea, 81.9mm <br /> <br /> With an unusually thin, purplish brown shell intricately sculptured by strong spiral cords and weaker axial lines, the "Koshiki Whelk" is a highly distinctive cold-water buccinid whelk ranging from Tosa Bay, Kochi Prefecture, Japan to East China Sea. A carnivorous and scavenging gastropod, it inhabits soft bottoms of rather deep water around -200~800m. Most specimens of this rare and much sought-after species have originated from southern Japan, albeit very infrequently partly due to lack of fishing activity at the appropriate depth. As the shell is paper-thin, the aperture is usually heavily broken upon recovery and specimens in good condition are especially difficult to find. Recently, some specimens have surfaced thanks to Chinese trawlers working in the East China Sea, but generally in poor condition. It is a relatively little-varied species and usually instantly recognisable, although the surface sculpture may vary somewhat in strength. The shell is covered by a layer of extremely thin, semi-transparent, brownish film-like periostracum. Typical shell length around 70mm, extremely large specimens may exceed 95mm. Its name refers to the Koshikijima Islands of Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, where the holotype was discovered from 400m deep just offshore. "Koshiki" is an ancient Asian earthenware used for steaming rice; the Koshikijima Islands were named in reference to a large rock in Kami-Koshiki Island that highly resembled a koshiki in shape. The holotype is in the Ryosuke Kawamura collection, currently housed in the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba.
Phymorhynchus starmeri Okutani & Ohta, 1993 <br /> RAPHITOMIDAE<br /> -2766m, Pika hydrothermal vent field, Southern Mariana Trough, Southern Mariana Islands, 65.4mm <br /> <br /> The "STARMER Turrid" is a large and broad 'whelk-like' raphitomid restricted to very deep waters around -2000~4000m in the western Pacific. Originally described from a hydrothermal vent in North Fiji Basin, most records to date have also been from hydrothermal vent fields from Southern Mariana Trough to Lau Basin where it is most common in the vent periphery area. However, at least one record exists from a (presumably) non-vent area, meaning it is perhaps not restricted to vent sites but is instead distributed more widely in the general deep seafloor. A carnivorous and scavenging gastropod, it is known to feed on other invertebrate animals such as mussels. Typical shell length around 65mm, extremely large specimens are known to exceed 90mm. The relative height of the spire and depth of the suture is variable among individuals, and apprently even more so among localities. Future research may show that the populations from different localities represent separate subspecies or species, although for now it is safer to treat them simply as intraspecific variation. The shell is covered by a layer of rather thick, yellowish brown periostracum that is usually heavily corroded and only remaining in the intervarical spaces between spiral cords in the body whorl (as shown). It is named after the Japanese-French joint research project "STARMER", which took place in the late 1980s. The STARMER project comprised a number of cruises seeking and exploring hydrothermal vents in the western Pacific, primarily using the French submersible "Nautile".
Chlanidota densesculpta (Martens, 1885) <br /> BUCCINIDAE<br /> -100m, Trawled, Scotia Sea, South Georgia Island, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Antarctica, 1985, Ex-coll. J. I. Garate Zubilaga, 29.8mm <br /> <br /> A moderate-sized Antarctic buccinid, Chlanidota densesculpta is characterised by an extremely thin and fragile shell ornamented by exceedingly fine spiral sculpture as well as a thick, hirsute periostracum. All specimens with absolute certainty in identification and locality data originate from South Georgia Island of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, where it is tentatively considered to be an endemic species of. A number of records exist outside South Georgia, however, such as Kerguelen Islands, Crozet Islands, and off Antarctic Peninsula, but these are regarded dubious as no illustrations or voucher specimens were provided to support them. Future research and collection may, of course, prove that its range extends beyond South Georgia. A carnivorous and predatory gastropod, it is known to feed on holothurians. It inhabits soft bottoms of shallow to moderately deep waters around -5~100m, although dead specimens have been collected from as deep as -300m. Although not uncommon in its natural habitat, it is very rarely available for personal collection due to its restricted and remote distribution. Typical shell length around 30mm, extremely large specimens are known to exceed 40mm. It is readily distinguished from most other congeners as by its characteristically fine sculpture (which its specific epithet refers to) combined with a thick, lightly hirsute periostracum. The only exception is Chlanidota palliata (Strebel, 1908) which has a strikingly similar shell that only differs from that of C. densesculpta by having weakly raised spiral cords and being slightly broader, thicker; but C. palliata has a much larger, claw-like operculum that is drastically different from the minute operculum of C. densesculpta.
Trivellona eos (Roberts, 1913) <br /> TRIVIIDAE<br /> -200~250m, Dredged, Aliguay Island, Zanboanga del Norte, Philippines, 21.7mm <br /> <br /> With a delicate, semi-transparent shell intricately ornamented by numerous raised ribs, the "Eos' Trivia" is one of the most exquisite triviids. Moreover, with an average shell length around 20mm and the largest specimens reaching 30mm, it is also one of the largest. Although widely distributed across the western Pacific, vast majority of specimens are known from either southern Japan or the Philippines. It inhabits sand to rubble bottoms of rather deep water around -100~250m, and is a probably a carnivorous gastropod feeding on colonial tunicates like other triviids. A rare species usually collected either by dredging or tangle netting, live-taken specimens in good condition are very rare. Until other giant triviids such as Trivellona opalina (Kuroda & Cate in Cate, 1979) and T. finleyi (Beals, 2001) were recognised as separate species it was thought to be the only western Pacific bean cowrie attaining a size over 20mm. It most closely resembles T. finleyi and the two species are frequently and regularly confused. The greatest difference between the two species is in the outer lip, the thickness and teething of which is much weaker in T. eos than T. finleyi; this is especially obvious in the anterior and posterior extremities. Generally speaking T. eos has a relatively broader shell with a wider dorsal sulcus compared to T. finleyi, but these are actually rather variable within both species.
Trivellona finleyi (Beals, 2001) <br /> TRIVIIDAE<br /> -200m, By tangle net, From local fisherman, Balut Island, Davao Occidental, Philippines, 2016/viii, 26.0mm <br /> <br /> The "Finley's Trivia" is one of the largest of all triviids, and with its fine sculpture and delicate, semi-transparent shell also one of the most attractive. Originally described as Robertotrivia finleyi by Marty Beals who is an conchologist and owner of the shell business "Tideline, Inc." from California, USA, it is named after Charles C. Finley, a conchologist from Maryland, USA. The type series originate from Balicasag Island in the Philippines, it appears to be widely-ranging in the western Pacific; vast majority of specimens known are from the Philippines or southern Japan. A carnivorous gastropod probably feeding on colonial tunicates like other triviids, it is inhabits rather deep water around -100~250m and is very rare especially in perfect condition. Typical shell length around 20mm, extremely large specimens may exceed 28mm. In the early years around its discovery it was misidentified as Trivellona shimajiriensis (MacNeil, 1961) and exchanged hands under this name on the market. The true T. shimajiriensis is in fact an extinct Late Miocene species described from a deep-water Yonabaru Clay Member, Shimajiri Formation in Okinawa, Japan. It most closely resembles Trivellona eos (Roberts, 1913), but is separable by having a thicker outer-lip with much stronger teething, especially on the anterior and posterior extremities. Generally speaking T. finleyi has a more elongate shell with a narrower dorsal sulcus compared to T. eos, but these are actually rather variable within both species.
Laciolina magna (Spengler, 1798)<br /> TELLINIDAE<br /> Cape Caneveral, Brevard County, Florida, U.S.A., 1983/i, Ex-coll. H. Ito, 88.2mm<br /> <br /> With an average shell length around 90mm and very large specimens reaching 125mm, the "Great Tellin" is probably the largest of all extant tellinids as its name suggests. A filter-feeding bivalve like other tellinids, it is widely distributed throughout the Caribbean region with distribution limits at around North Carolina, USA in the north (also found in Bermuda Islands) and Venezuela in the South. It is a rare species despite inhabiting very shallow depths from the intertidal down to about -15m, although the shallow habitat means it is occasionally beached. Virtually identical specimens attributed to the same name are found as fossils in Late Pliocene to Late Pleistocene formations in Florida, USA. The valves are generally smooth with very fine concentric growth lines as well as radial lines. The colouration is greatly variable from white to pink to orange, the right valve is richer in colour than the left which is often pale except the umbone. Both valves may carry rays of colours projecting outwards from the umbones. The posterior edge is characteristically wavy due to the presence of rather strong radial ribs. Originally described in the genus Tellina and placed in the subgenus Laciolina, today Laciolina is generally accepted as a valid genus in its own right and hence its current binomial combination.
Murex spicatus Ponder & Vokes, 1988 <br /> MURICIDAE<br /> -40~60m, Taken by fishing boat, Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, 105.4mm <br /> <br /> An elegant muricid endemic to the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, Murex spicatus is a rare species that has been often neglected. Although generally similar to Murex pecten Lightfoot, 1786 in outline it has much fewer spines, and due to that (and its locality) it has been incorrectly identified as M. ternispina Lamarck, 1822 by many authors. It is not actually similar to M. ternispina, however, and especially easily told apart by the less robust construction and by having a double row of spines on the siphonal canal which M. ternispina lacks. Generally, it can be identified by having a similar form to M. pecten but with only six to seven spines on the anterior siphonal canal, relatively straight and strongly posteriorly-directed shoulder spines, and a somewhat glossy surface lacking in significant intervarical axial sculpture. The two species which it actually closely resemble are M. queenslandicus Ponder & Vokes, 1988 from Australia and M. spectabilis Ponder & Vokes, 1988 from the Philppines, both were described in the same publication as the present species concerned. It differs from M. queenslandicus in that the shoulder spines are directed strongly to the posterior direction, and from M. spectabilis in having less recurved spines, angulated ribs on first teleconch whorl, less conspicuous axial sculpture between varices, and a protoconch with 2.5 whorls (as opposed to 1.5 in M. spectabilis). A carnivorous and predatory gastropod, it inhabits soft bottoms and has a bathymetric range from the shallow subtidal to moderate depths around -10~100m deep. It is very rarely available, partly perhaps due to its restricted range. Typical shell length around 110mm, extremely large specimens may reach 140mm.
Bolma tamikoana (Shikama, 1973)<br /> TURBINIDAE<br /> -150m, By tangle net, Balut Island, Davao Occidental, Philippines, 2017/i, 47.8mm <br /> <br /> The "Tamiko's Turban" is a stunning turbinid exhibiting a particularly pleasing combination of granulose sculpture, flared lip, spines, and attractive colouration. A wide-ranging western Pacific species, it is found from central Japan to Indonesia to northeastern Australia. An uncommon herbivorous grazer inhabiting dead coral and other hard substrates, it inhabits rather deep waters around -100~300m. The Japanese specimens differ from those of other localities by having shorter, more closely-spaced spines. The spine development does vary among individuals in every locality, however. Due to the relatively rough handling the spines are often destroyed on Japanese specimens; the best specimens are collected by tangle nets in the Philippines. The surface colouration comes in two varieties, pinkish-fawn and lemon-yellow (shown), the latter is much rarer. Typical shell diameter around 40mm, extremely large specimens may exceed 55mm. The specific epithet is dedicated to Tamiko Oishi, a conchologist from Nagasaki, Japan. Bolma flava Beu & Ponder, 1979 from Madagascar is very similar except a shorter spire and finer sculpture and was originally described as a subspecies of it (i.e., Bolma tamikoana flava), but is now considered a full species in its own right. Bolma bathyraphis (Smith, 1899) from around New Caledonia is also similar, but easily separable by its much deeper suture.
Tudivasum zanzibaricum (Abbott, 1958) <br /> TURBINELLIDAE<br /> In rather deep water, Mnemba Island, Zanzibar Archipelago, Tanzania, 48.0mm <br /> <br /> Characterised by a splendidly expanded parietal shield, the "Zanzibar Tudicula" is a classic rarity among the vasids. As its name suggests, it is endemic to the Zanzibar Archipelago in Tanzania. A carnivorous and predatory gastropod inhabiting moderately deep waters around -20~70m, it feeds on polychaete worms. Described by the renowned malacologist Dr. Rober Tucker Abbott (1919-1995), best known for authoring numerous identification guides and popular books including the "Compendium of Seashells" (with S. Peter Dance; 1982), it was originally placed in Tudicula and later transferred to Tudivasum. Adults develop a thick and glossy parietal shield which may be white or yellow, but the extent of development vary greatly among individuals. Likewise, the spine development is highly variable among individuals and occasionally specimens with very elongate spines are found. For about half a Century after its description it remained extremely scarce and known from only a few dozens of specimens, fortunately the supplies have increased in recent years. Most specimens collected, however, are juvenile or young specimens lacking a well-developed shield, today such specimens are only uncommon. Specimens with extensive shield, such as the one depicted, are still rather rare. Typical shell length around 50mm, very large specimens may reach 65mm.
Cirsotrema rugosum (Kuroda & Ito, 1961) <br /> EPITONIIDAE<br /> -150~200m, By tangle net, Panglao, Bohol, Central Visayas, Philippines, 2007/i, 86.8mm <br /> <br /> A most delicate lamellate sculpture combined with an elegant and slender form makes the "Rugose Wentletrap" one of the most beautiful and sought-after of all epitoniids. Although rather widely distributed in the western Pacific ranging from central Japan to Tonga to the Philippines, vast majority of specimens originate from either Japan or the Philippines. A carnivorous gastropod inhabiting sandy to muddy bottoms of rather deep water ranging from about -100~400m, it lives by sucking the body fluids of sea anemone. The characteristic shell sculpture consists of about 20 strong fimbriate axial ribs per whorl and numerous weak spiral ribs running across the shell surface. Each axial rib carry a blunt protrusion pointing posteriorly, but this is often worn out in rough specimens. There are some minor differences between specimens from Japan and the Philippines. Firstly, those from Japan often have one or two conspicuously more strongly thickened than usual varix per whorl, not often seen in specimens from the Philippines. Secondly, specimens from Japan tend to be thicker than those from the Philippines; they are also usually more worn but this is mostly due to the collection by rough trawling as opposed to tangle netting. Although the average shell length is around 60mm, it is very variable in shell length with the largest specimens exceeding 110mm. Specimens of small to average size are only uncommon, anything over 80mm is rare and very rare if in good condition as the early whorls are usually eroded away. "Shell doctors" in the Philippines routinely repair eroded apex of large specimens by gluing apex taken from smaller specimens, collectors must therefore be very aware and carefully examine the apex when dealing with large specimens. Often confused with the congener Cirsotrema edgari (de Boury, 1912), which is indeed similar in that it also carry many blade-like varices, but can be easily distinguished from C. rugosum as its varices are strongly wavy (as opposed to straight in C. rugosum).
Perotrochus anseeuwi Kanazawa & Goto, 1991 <br /> PLEUROTOMARIIDAE<br /> -400m, By tangle nets, Balut Island, Davao Occidental, Mindanao, Philippines, 2015/x, 107.2mm <br /> <br /> A superb combination of flame and chequer patterns makes the "Anseeuw's Slit Shell" a truly beautiful pleurotomariid. A curiously localised species, it has only been found and is apparently endemic to southern Mindanao, Philippines; virtually all specimens known to date have originated from tangle nets deployed in Balut Island. A carnivorous grazer inhabiting hard bottoms around -150~400m deep, it is chiefly spongevorous but may also feed on coral polyps. Other than its (apparently) narrow distribution, another strange fact is that majority of specimens surfaced have been young, presumably juvenile, specimens with a sharply keeled body whorl. Such specimens are only uncommon. Large, presumably adult, specimens over 80mm have much more inflated whorls and are very rare. Exceptionally large specimens such as the one depicted are known to exceed 100mm, very few such giants have been collected since its discovery. Larger individuals seem to inhabit deeper waters, perhaps partly accounting for their rarity. The pattern varies between different hues of orange and consists of flame-like bands above the slit/selenizone and chequer-like blotches below it; although the two often mix. The extent of flame patterning is rather variable among individuals. Its name honours Patrick Anseeuw, the famed conchologist from Belgium specialising in Pleurotomariidae who authored "The Living Pleurotomariidae" (1996) with Yoshihiro Goto of Japan. Although on the first sight it may appear similar to Mikadotrochus hirasei (Pilsbry, 1903) or M. salmianus (Rolle, 1899), it is easily differentiated by its much thinner shell that is actually quite translucent, thinner columellar, as well as a much smoother surface with flame-and-chequer pattern. Considering the light construct, it is in reality probably closer related to Perotrochus vicdani Kosuge, 1980.
Austrasiatica langfordi (Kuroda, 1938) <br /> CYPRAEIDAE<br /> -150m, Trawled, Southeast off Danjo Islands, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, 2015/x, 54.2mm <br /> <br /> With a beautiful dense mottled brown pattern and deep orange margins, the "Langford's Cowrie" is a famed classic rarity among the western Pacific cypraeids. Originally best known from Japan and Taiwan, it was once one of the rarest Pacific cowries and was listed as one of the "Rare Shells of Taiwan" (1979) by T. C. Lan. Today its distribution is known to be very wide, ranging from Honshu, Japan to Indonesia to Melanesia. Thanks to tangle nets at the Philippines and Chinese trawlers working in the East China Sea, it has now become only uncommon and much easier to obtain. Although its shell is not very prone to growth scars, due to living on muddy bottoms it often contains mud inclusions especially on the aperture side. Perfect specimens with dark colouration are therefore still infrequent and command relatively high prices. The shell form and the extent of callous on the margins are rather variable. An omnivorous gastropod, it inhabits soft bottoms of rather deep water around -100~250m. Typical shell length around 55mm, extremely large specimens may exceed 70mm. There are two currently recognised subspecies other than the nominal subspecies. Austrasiatica l. moretonensis (Schilder, 1965) is from Queensland, Australia; characterised by shells with a form similar to the nominal subspecies but being thinner, less callous, and importantly exhibiting conspicuous white 'frame' between margins and the mottled brown pattern. Similarly, A. l. cavatoensis (Lorenz, 2002) from around New Caledonia also carry this white 'frame', but is generally smaller, more spherical, and with thicker margins and base than the nominal subspecies. In Japan it is known as "Nippon-Dakara" (literally the "Japan Cowrie"), and is one of the "Three Famed Cowries of Japan" along with Austrasiatica hirasei (Roberts, 1913) and Nesiocypraea teramachii (Kuroda, 1938). It is named after the American shell collector Daniel B. Langford (1882-1954) who spent many decades of his life in Japan working as a lecturer of English at Keio University.
Conus hirasei (Kuroda, 1956) <br /> CONIDAE<br /> -150m, By tangle net, Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines, 2015/x, 52.7mm <br /> <br /> A beautiful conid famed for its unforgettable pattern consisting of numerous parallel spiral lines, the "Hirase's Cone" ranges from southern Japan to Taiwan to the Philippines. A carnivorous and predatory gastropod feeding on polychaete worms, it inhabits hard bottoms of rather deep water around -100~250m. The first specimen came from the famous collection of Yoichiro Hirase, its namesake, but it was unfortunately destroyed during World War II. Originally a very scarce species due to its deep habitat, but advances in tangle net in the Philippines have brought up numerous fine specimens in recent years and rendered it merely uncommon. Chinese trawlers are also bringing up specimens from the East China Sea in recent years. A little-varied species and usually instantly recognisable by its characteristic pattern, the number of chocolate lines vary quite a lot among individuals. Background colouration generally white, with a violet hue increasing posteriorly towards the shoulder. Very prone to growth scars that are particularly noticable on this species as they interrupt the pattern, it is rather difficult to find a perfect specimen. A large number of shells are meticulously 'doctored' in the Philippines by applying resin to the scars and then carefully painting over the resin. Typical shell length arond 60mm, extremely large specimens are known to exceed 90mm. It has been placed in genera such as Rhizoconus (original description), Kioconus, Continuconus, and Klemaeconus; but the most recent revision of Conidae by Puillandre et al. (2015) reduced the number of full genera in Conidae to four, consequently its current placement is in genus Conus and subgenus Klemaeconus.
Oocorys verrillii (Dall, 1889) f. "japonica" Kuroda & Teramachi MS (nomen nudum)<br /> CASSIDAE<br /> -800m, Trawled by local fishing boat, Off Amami Oshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, 1980s, Ex-coll. Kazuo Kurohara, 35.7mm <br /> <br /> Oocorys verrillii is a rare deep-water cassid with an impressive near-global distribution as well as depth range, at least between -200~5000m deep. Yet another impressive feature of this species is its extremely variability in terms of shell morphology, such as the extent of umbilicus opening, spire height, sculpture, aperture development, and shell thickness. Many of these features likely correlate with the depth inhabited by a particular individual. In 2008 Alan Beu concluded, after investigating a large series of specimens from various localities and collections around the world, that many species of Oocorys previously considered as valid species are in fact mere forms of O. verrillii and should be synonymised with it. The Japanese specimen depicted here, with a closed umbilicus, very weak axial sculpture, and a moderately high spire, matches well the characteristics of the 'species' known as "Tamago-bora" (i.e., "Egg Triton") in Japan, its scientific name often attributed to Oocorys japonica Kuroda & Teramachi, 1949 or 1952. Although evidently Kuroda and Teramachi originally intended to publish this name (see Higo, 1973; Higo & Goto, 1993), they never actually did and neither did subsequent authors who mentioned the name (including Higo's work cited earlier as well as Azuma, 1960; Matsumoto, 1979). The name is therefore only a manuscript name and a nomen nudum, not available under the ICZN Code. Eitherway, this matters very little as it obviously falls into the series of variations of O. verrillii, as discussed by Beu (2008), and would just be yet another junior synonym of it even if it was formally described. Interestingly, five years after Beu's paper, yet another 'species' of Oocorys was described by Kin-Yang Lai of Taiwan from 300~500m deep off Pratas Islands, South China Sea -- Oocorys leejungi Lai, 2013. Although Lai does not compare his species with either Oocorys verrillii or O. "japonica", his shells are virtually carbon copies of O. "japonica" shells well-known from Japan (as depicted here). A taxonomic revision of O. leejungi is needed in the future to discuss this matter in the published literature. Oocorys verrillii is a carnivorous and predatory gastropod inhabiting soft bottoms, its main prey is probably annelid worms. Although as abovementioned its depth range is extremely wide, it is mostly found in bathyal depths of tropical to temperate waters (at least) throughout the entire Indo-Pacific region. Despite its broad distribution, it appears to be a locally rare to extremely rare species throughout its range. Typical shell length around 35mm, extremely large specimens may exceed 45mm. Oocorys verrillii f. "japonica" was traditionally considered to be endemic to Japan ranging from Honshu to Okinawa, but the discovery of O. leejungi probably means this form also occurs at South China Sea. Another Japanese form of O. verrillii with a similar (supposed) range is f. tosaensis Habe & Azuma, 1959 with a thicker shell, open umbilicus, and a shorter spire. Oocorys verrillii is very similar to its congener O. sulcata Fischer, 1884 with which it may be confused especially given the extreme variability of both species. One important distinguishing feature is that O. verrillii usually has detectable axial sculpture of some sort, while O. sulcata completely lacks this. Oocorys verrillii also has a generally smaller shell with a shorter siphonal canal.
Beringius eyerdami Smith, 1959 <br /> BUCCINIDAE<br /> -100~150m, Trawled, Off Washington State, U.S.A., 100.2mm <br /> <br /> The "Eyerdam's Whelk" is a very handsome cold water buccinid native to Pacific North America. Its best known range is between southern Alaska and Washington, U.S.A. with sporadic records extending as south as central California, U.S.A.. A carnivorous and scavenging gastropod inhabiting soft bottoms, it is mostly trawled from moderately deep water around -100~200m but can occasionally also be found in shallower subtidal waters. Although not uncommon in its natural habitat, it is rare and very scarcely offered on the shell trade market. The solid, stout shell readily distinguishes it from other congeners which typically have more slender shells. The sculpture is quite variable from mostly smooth (except most anterior parts) to having strongly defined spiral cords across the entire whorl (shown); the corded variety being generally more prized by collectors. Quite prone to growth scars and damage in the aperture, finding a good quality specimen is a real challenge. When alive the shell is covered by a layer of thin, brown periostracum that is usually partially worn away. Typical shell length around 100mm, extremely large specimens may exceed 125mm. Allyn Goodwin Smith (1893-1976), a malacologist at the California Academy of Sciences and a member of the Pacific Northwest Shell Club, christened this species after Walter Jakob Eyerdam (1892-1974). Eyerdam was a naturalist mainly interested in lichens, birds, and molluscs, and embarked on many collecting trips mostly in Alaska and Russia. He was also a charter member of the Pacific Northwest Shell Club; his molluscan collection of approximately 58,000 specimens are now housed in the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. In addition to his scientific business, he was also a cooper who made barrels for whaling and herring stations of Alaska.
Bursa condita (Gmelin, 1791) <br /> BURSIDAE<br /> Shallow water, Borneo Island, Offshore of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, 2017, 78.9mm <br /> <br /> Characterised by a high spire and very finely granulose sculpture, the "Tall Frog Shell" is perhaps the rarest of all living bursid species. Despite being quite widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, ranging from Amami Islands, Japan to Vietnam to eastern Australia and New Caledonia, it appears to be extremely rare across the entire range. A carnivorous and predatory gastropod, it inhabits coral rubble bottoms in moderate depths around -10~100m and is most likely a vermivorous species feeding on polychaete worms like other bursids. The reasons behind its apparent rarity is unclear, and searches for the 'jackpot' locality continues. The fact that it can be found in shallow water well into the diving depths only adds to its mythical image. More specimens are known from the Philippines than other localities, almost certainly due to the great magnitude of shelling activity there. Typical shell length around 85mm, extremely large specimens may exceed even 115mm. Large, tall spired form of the very common Bursa granularis (Röding, 1798) is often (inadvertently or intentionally) mis-identified as B. condita, but the granulate sculpture of B. granularis is so much coarser that there is really no room for confusion. The spiral cords in B. granularis are also less numerous and wider (generally), plus the varices occur regularly every 180 degrees (in B. condita the varices are slightly offset every whorl). Part of the confusion is probably due to the great variability in form and size displayed by B. granularis, which is usually only around 40mm in shell length but occasionally exceed 80mm. In contrast, B. condita is actually a very little-varied species both in form and sculpture, although the colouration is somewhat variable from almost completely white to carrying extensive flame-like streaks of brown. In many adult specimens the early whorls are eroded or broken off, producing a 'truncated' appearance. The specific epithet is sometimes mis-spelt as 'conditina', probably due to Dr. Tadashige Habe using this spelling in his "Shells of the Western Pacific in Color Vol. 2" (1964). Two well-known synonyms are Ranella candisata Lamarck, 1822 (has been mis-spelt as 'candista' and 'caudisata') and Tritonium candisatum Röding, 1798.
Fulgoraria concinna (Broderip, 1836) <br /> VOLUTIDAE<br /> -150m, Trawled, Off Owase, Mie Prefecture, Japan, 2012/v, 176.9mm <br /> <br /> With numerous zigzagging axial 'lightning' lines and two light-coloured bands, the "Notable Japanese Volute" is one of the more elaborately patterned volutids in the genus Fulgoraria. An endemic species of Japan, it ranges from Sagami Bay to Kii Channel (the strait between Shikoku and Kii Peninsula, Honshu). Traditionally it has been separated into three subspecies (by Shikama, 1967) corresponding to geographic distribution and some differences in morphology, but these differences are small and often overlapping. Therefore today they are generally accepted as mere forms of a single species. The nominal form occurs in the southern part of its range, west of Enshu-nada (aka. Enshu Bight, across southern Shizuoka and Aichi prefectures), and is characterised by a more polished shell with clear and frequent lightning pattern as well as the two bands being approximately equal in breadth. The central form f. corrugata Shikama, 1967 is supposedly restricted to Enshu-nada, and is characterised by a reduced lightning pattern with thinner lines, especially over the posterior band, on a less polished shell of a larger average size. The northern form f. rosea Shikama, 1967 ranges from Enshu-nada to Sagami Bay and is characterised by a robust, more shouldered shell with the posterior band being broader than the anterior one, as well as a generally more reddish colouration. Various intergrades have, however, been discovered. A carnivorous and predatory gastropod, it inhabits sandy to muddy bottoms of rather deep water around -150~400m. Typical shell length around 130mm for the nominal form and f. rosea, 150mm for f. corrugata; the largest specimens may reach 190mm. Though a common species across most of its distribution range, it becomes quite uncommon at the southernmost (Kii Channel) and northernmost (Sagami Bay) ends.
Cymatium raderi D'Attilio & Myers, 1984 <br /> RANELLIDAE<br /> -40m, From lobster pot, Off Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, 225.7mm <br /> <br /> With an impressive average shell length around 200mm and the largest specimens exceeding 260mm, the "Rader's Triton" is probably the largest living Cymatium species. Although best known from Brazil where most specimens originate from, its distribution range actually covers the entire Caribbean ranging from southeast Florida to Honduras (type locality) to Bahia State, Brazil. It is amazing how such a large ranellid escaped formal description until 1984, but this was mostly due to its similarity and confusion with the co-occuring congener Cymatium femorale (Linnaeus, 1758) which has a similar but slightly wider range to Santa Catarina, Brazil. Upon close examination, however, some clear differences separates the two species. Most notably, C. raderi is much larger than C. femorale (average shell length around 200mm vs 130mm) and has much weaker spiral sculpture. The differences in spiral sculpture shows up most obviously on the varices. The varices of C. femorale characteristically carry sharp, clear-cut, strongly raised white nodules separating the brown interstices, but in C. raderi the varices have a smooth edge and the borders between white and brown are less well-defined. The varices of C. femorale also always end in a strongly angular, pointed shoulder, but this is much weaker in C. raderi, the differences are especially obvious at young age. Generally speaking, C. raderi is lighter coloured than C. femorale. A carnivorous and predatory gastropod feeding mostly on echinoderms and bivalves, C. raderi inhabits very shallow to shallow waters down to about 50m deep. When alive, the gorgeous golden ochre shell is hidden under a layer of thick, brown hairy periostracum. The protoconch is tall, elongate, and multispiral which reflects the long planktotrophic larval stage (the norm for ranellids), but this is typically worn and lost in adult shells. It is named in honour of the late Jack Rader, who recognised its consistent differences with C. femorale and provided materials for the two authors to study and use in the description. Cymatium etcheversi Macsotay & Campos, 2001 described from the Margarita Platform off Venezuela is an obvious junior synonym of this species; the authors failed to compare their "new species" with C. raderi for unknown reasons.
Gemmula lisajoni Olivera, 1999 <br /> TURRIDAE<br /> -100~200m, By tangle net, Sogod, Cebu, Philippines, 31.3mm <br /> <br /> Characterised by a most striking colour divide between the golden orange shell and the vivid violet siphonal canal, Gemmula lisajoni is a true turrid apparently endemic to a small part of the central Philippines, approximately ranging from Cebu to Bohol Island to Aliguay Island. Being a common and easily obtainable species, its sheer splendor deserves a place in every collection. The purple colouration, however, unfortunately slowly faded over the years. A carnivorous and predatory gastropod feeding on small invertebrates, it inhabits shallow to rather deep waters around -20~150m. It carries a small, corneous operculum when alive. The true identity of this species has been a subject of confusion until its formal description by Olivera in 1999, with specimens masquerading under the names G. concinna (Dunker, 1871) and G. graeffei (Weinkauff, 1875). Although the average shell length is around 30mm, monster specimens exceeding 45mm have been found.
Lyncina porteri (Cate, 1966) <br /> CYPRAEIDAE<br /> -150~200m, By tangle net, Balut Island, Sarangani, Davao Occidental, Philippines. 48.3mm <br /> <br /> With a beautifully spotted dorsum and a fantastic orange base, the "Porter's Cowrie" is a renowned classic among the cypraeids of the western Pacific. Although first discovered from the Sulu Archipelago and vast majority of specimens still originate from the Philippines, its distribution is actually much wider ranging from southernmost Japan to Philippines to New Caledonia to Queensland, Australia. Today it is only rather rare in the Philippines due to the existence of tangle netting and rare in Taiwan where a considerable number have been trawled especially in the late 20th Century, but is extremely rare in other parts of its range. One thing to be noted, however, is that the Philippines population is now protected by the Philippines Fisheries Administrative Order 208, prohibiting its collection and trade. Probably an omnivorous grazer, it generally inhabits rather deep waters around -70~300m (although rare records from much shallower waters also exist). Typical shell length around 45mm, extremely large specimens may exceed 60mm. Although somewhat variable in colouration and pattern it is almost always easily recognisable. Specimens from melanesia and Australia generally have more inflated but less calloused shells with lighter coloured base, these are now separated as subspecies L. porteri nigromaculata Lorenz, 2002. The only species it may be confused with is Lyncina joycae (Clover, 1970) which was originally described as its subspecies. Compared to Lyncina joycae, it can be distinguished by the much finer and narrower teeth, less inflated shell, and finer spotting in the dorsum pattern. It is named in honour of Joseph A. Porter from Zamboanga, Philippines who discovered the first specimen of this species.
Tristichotrochus ikukoae (Sakurai, 1994) <br /> CALLIOSTOMATIDAE<br /> -700~750m, Trawled, Tosa Bay, Kochi Prefecture, Japan, 28.9mm <br /> <br /> Characterised by a lustrous pinkish shell with numerous weakly beaded spiral ribs, the "Ikuko's Top" is an extremely rare calliostomatid endemic to southern Japan. Although best known from Tosa Bay, Kochi Prefecture where vast majority of specimens come from, some sporadic records from other localities also exist. A carnivorous grazer most likely feeding on sponges and/or cnidarians, it inhabits hard substrates of deep to very deep water around -600~1000m. Its spiral sculpture consists of four main ribs which are always present, and three secondary ribs between them which vary in strength across individuals. Typical shell diameter around 25mm, very large specimens may exceed 30mm. Originally described in genus Otukaia, the taxonomic validity and placement of this species has been subject to some discussion and confusion in the literature, in terms of its relationship with the conchologically similar Otukaia kiheiziebisu (Otuka, 1939). In 1972, Okutani & Iwahori dredged a number of calliostomatids with spiral sculpture from 700m deep in Tosa Bay, and concluded that they are all variations of O. kiheiziebisu. They illustrate two examples, one of which clearly corresponded to the holotype of O. kiheiziebisu but the other was a carbon copy of Sakurai (1994)'s O. ikukoae. Based on this information Hasegawa & Saito (1995) suspected that the two should be synonymised, taking the view that O. ikukoae is a variation of O. kiheiziebisu with more developed secondary ribs, and Hasegawa went on to formerly do so in 2009. Very recently, however, Marshall (2016) crucially pointed out that the radula of O. ikukoae is quite distinct from that of O. kiheiziebisu, with much fewer pairs of lateral teeth (4-6 vs 9). Such radula characteristics of O. ikukoae show that it is actually more appropriately placed in genus Tristichotrochus, its current genus. In fact, upon close examination a number of conchological characters also reliably separate the two: 1. the main spiral ribs of T. ikukoae is more blunt and less sharply raised than that of O. kiheiziebisu, 2. the secondary rib between shoulder and periphery is always well-developed in T. ikukoae but not in O. kiheiziebisu making T. ikukoae appear to have one more main rib than O. kiheiziebisu, 3. O. kiheiziebisu is strongly shouldered compared to T. ikukoae which has a sloped shoulder, 4. T. ikukoae has generally fewer spiral striae on the base than O. kiheiziebisu, 5. T. ikukoae is much smaller than O. kiheiziebisu (average shell diameter 25mm vs 40mm). Dr. Kin'ichi Sakurai (1912-1993) named this species in honour of his wife Ikuko Sakurai, for her great support of his collecting and research activities. The description for this species, together with seven other trochoids, was published the year after the author passed away. Kin'ichi Sakurai is famous for assembling one of the most important personal shell collections in recent Japan (now housed in the National Museum of Nature and Science, Japan), which he allowed many researchers to visit and study. Many new species were discovered and described from his collection, and many species were named to honour him, the most famous is perhaps Austrasiatica sakuraii (Habe, 1970). His true speciality was however mineralogy, and his mineral collection was even better than his malacological collection. Despite having a doctorate in mineralogy most of his collecting and research were done as an amateur, alongside managing his family business of a tori-nabe (Japanese hot pot chicken stew) restaurant.
Chicoreus spectrum (Reeve, 1846) <br /> MURICIDAE<br /> -40~50m, From lobster net, Guarapari, Espírito Santo, Brazil, 100.7mm <br /> <br /> Extensively decorated by numerous foliaceous spines, the "Spectral Murex" is a famed signature Caribbean muricid ranging from Greater Antilles to central Brazil. Due to the brilliant spines and attractive colouration, its shell is an ever-so-popular collector's item. Somewhat variable in spine development, but generally it is instantly recognisable. Its colouration is greatly variable, but bright orange (shown) and reddish brown are the two most common variations. A carnivorous and predatory gastropod, it inhabits rocky to sandy bottoms of shallow water around 5~50m deep. Although typical shell length is around 100mm, extremely large specimens are known to exceed 165mm. One a highly sought-after rarity, today it is only an uncommon species even in choice condition; only large specimens in excess of 140mm are still quite rare. A synonym is Murex argo Clench & Perez Farfante, 1945, which is a replacement name for M. imbricatus Higgins & Marrat, 1978 as it is a junior homonym of M. imbaricatus Brocchi, 1814.
Neptuneopsis gilchristi Sowerby III, 1898 <br /> VOLUTIDAE<br /> -200~300m, Trawled on mud, Off Agulhas Bank, Western Cape, South Africa, 1980s, 172.6mm <br /> <br /> A combination of a high spire, smooth convex whorls, bulbous protoconch, and large size makes the "Gilchrist's Volute" a unique and unmistakable species among all volutids. Endemic to southern and eastern South Africa, it is a carnivorous and predatory gastropod inhabiting soft bottoms of shallow to moderately deep waters around -30~300m. A little-varied species, the shell surface is pinkish and usually with two white bands, the more posterior one near the suture is brighter and more well-defined. When alive it possesses a thin layer of olive-brown periostracum, and a dark chestnut to brown corneous operculum with an apical nucleus. Although it was rather rare many years ago, today it is caught quite commonly as fishery by-catch. Typical shell length around 150mm, extremely large specimens may exceed 210mm. It is so unusual among the volutids that Sowerby III erected a new genus, Neptuneopsis, to house it, and to date it is still the only species placed in this genus. On the first sight it resembles species in genus Teramachia, but the very large and bulbous protoconch easily separates the two genera.
Cancellaria solida Sowerby I, 1832 <br /> CANCELLARIIDAE<br /> -30~50m, Dredged by commercial fishing boat, Off Manabi Province, Ecuador, 1985/i, 79.3mm <br /> <br /> An astonishingly gigantic and heavy cancellarid, the "Solid Nutmeg" grows to be the heaviest and one of the largest known member of its family with the largest specimens reaching a shell length of 85mm (the average being around 60mm). An eastern Pacific species, it ranges from Gulf of California, western Mexico to northern Peru. It inhabits shallow subtidal areas of the continental shelf ranging from 10~50m in depth; although supposedly a suctorial feeder what exact it feeds on is not known. Generally a common and easy to obtain species, although very large specimens are quite uncommon. The shell is very uniform in form across specimens, with the early whorls showing strong and regular axial ribbing but dissapearing two whorls preceding the body whorl. The colouration is usually pale orange and sometimes whitish, the aperture is always milky white. Rusty stains occur here and there on both the body whorl and the spire. It is the type species of subgenus Pyruclia, the earliest of which appeared in middle Miocene.
Amphidromus richardi Severns, 2006<br /> CAMAENIDAE<br /> About 90m (300 ft) above sea level, On trees growing from cracks in hot dry limestome karst, West coast of Atauro Island, Off northern Timor-Leste, 1996/xii/02, 36.9mm <br /> <br /> A wonderfully patterned camaenid landsnail, Amphidromus richardi is endemic to Atauro, a small island about 105km2 in area just north of Dili, northern Timor-Leste (aka. East Timor). It is named in honour of the conchologist and shell dealer Richard Goldberg, in recognition of his active collecting trips and support of landsnail research around the world which led to the discovery of several species new to science, including this one. Two subspecies exist on the island, the nominal subspecies (shown) is found on small trees on limestone plateau in the lowland costal hills of northern and western Atauro Island, and subspecies A. r. manacocoensis Severns, 2006 is restricted to a damp semi-evergreen forest capping the summit of Mt. Manucoco (elevation 995m) in the southern Atauro Island. The nominal subspecies is characterised by numerous dark bands and yellow blotches over a robust white shell, A. r. manacocoensis is similar but the shell is much thinner, glossier, and more expanded whorls. Usually A. r. manacocoensis has less patterning and lacks varices completely (whereas specimens of the nominal subspecies often carry one or two varices). The two subspecies are supposedly completely isolated by unsuitable habitat between the coastal area and the apex of Mt. Manucoco. Although its diet is not clear, it probably grazes on a mixture of algae, fungi, and lichens as known for other Amphidromus species. The nominal subspecies appears to be locally common in its habitat, A. r. manacocoensis is rarer partly due to its more restricted habitat and the fact that it lives high up on the trees and is more difficult to locate. Virtually all specimens on the market and in the collections are from the original collecting event in December 1996 that led to its description. The patterning is quite variable when viewed over a large series, although most specimens of the nominal subspecies carry similar pattern to the one shown here. The subspecies A. r. manacocoensis seem to have generally less numerous spiral bands. Adult specimens are very consistent in shell size with the average shell length being around 35mm, very large specimens exceeds 38mm for the nominal subspecies. The subspecies A. r. manacocoensis is slightly smaller with the shell length averaging at around 30mm.
Neptunea tabulata (Baird, 1863) <br /> BUCCINIDAE<br /> -50~100m, On mud, Northern California, U.S.A., 105.0mm <br /> <br /> Characterised by a unique wide and flat subsutural slope bordered by a raised spiral keel, the "Tabled Neptune" is one of many fabulously sculptured cool-water buccinids from the northeastern Pacific. Ranging from southern Alaska, USA to British Columbia, Canada to California, USA, it is a carnivorous and scavenging gastropod inhabiting muddy bottoms of rather deep water around -50~500m. Although supposedly not uncommon, recently it seems to have become more difficult to obtain quality specimens. Vast majority of specimens originate from California. Except a little variation in the width of the subsutural ramp and the height-to-width ratio, it is very consistent in the overall shell form and sculpture. It is so distinctive in form that it cannot be confused with any other species. The shell is always white, when alive it is covered by a thin, brown periostracum. Typical shell length around 80mm, very large specimens may exceed 110mm. A gonochoric (separate sexes) species as is typical for Buccinidae, it is a broadcast spawner with the embryo going through trochophore and veliger stages before settling to the seafloor. Virtually identical specimens are also found as fossils in Californian Pliocene-Pleistocene formations.
Festilyria ponsonbyi (Smith, 1901) <br /> VOLUTIDAE<br /> -40~60m, Taken by SCUBA diving, Northern part of Eastern Cape Province (formerly Transkei), South Africa, 77.0mm <br /> <br /> Beautifully patterned with speckled spiral bands and flame-like patches, the "Ponsonby's Volute" is one of the most illustrious volutids of southern Africa. It has a rather narrow distribution range from Eastern Cape Province, South Africa to southern Mozambique, and is a predatory gastropod feeding on small invertebrate animals. Vast majority of specimens are famously ex-pisces (i.e., found from fish stomach) from large molluscivorous fishes such as the Black Musselcracker (Cymatoceps nasutus (Castelnau, 1861)) and the Natal Wrasse (Anchichoerops natalensis (Gilchrist & Thompson, 1909)), many specimens collected this way have large holes punctured by the fishes' teeth. Although it inhabits moderately deep waters around -50~300m, they are frequently brought up to shallower waters by the fishes and may even be found beached, albeit extremely infrequently. Intact ex-pisces specimens are still rare today, and live-collected specimens (which tends to have better colouration and gloss) remains extremely rare. One reason for the great scarcity of live-specimens is that they usually bury deep into the sand to avoid predation. It is a little-varied species except small variations in the patterning and height-to-width ratio of the shell. Like other Festilyria species, it has a small corneous operculum when alive. Typical shell length around 80mm, extremely large specimens may reach 120mm. Festilyria duponti Weaver, 1968 is the only species it may be confused with, but can be easily differentiated by a few characters such as the broader spiral bands and a conspicuous dark-chocolate blotch on the columella. Originally described in genus Voluta, it was then moved to Callipara and included in subgenus Festilyria. As Festilyria is now widely recognised as a full genus, its current combination is Festilyria ponsonbyi.
Happy New Year! :)<br /> <br /> Cymatium tigrinum (Broderip, 1833) <br /> RANELLIDAE<br /> Low tide, In muddy sand around rocks at night, Casaya Island, Pearl Islands, Gulf of Panama, Panama, 1981/x, 175.2mm <br /> <br /> With gorgeous golden brown whorls reminiscent of well-aged wood, the "Tiger Triton" is the most sought-after Cymatium species and one of a few great rarities in Ranellidae. Ranging from western Mexico to Ecuador, vast majority of known specimens appear to originate from Gulf of Panama. Although once considered only very uncommon up until the 1980s, it has suddenly become ultra-rare after that with very few specimens (especially large and mature) been collected recently. The reasons behind its scarcity is a true mystery, particularly because it is a large, conspicuous species inhabiting very shallow waters from the low intertidals to about -30m deep and should be easy to locate. A carnivorous and predatory gastropod inhabiting hard and rocky substrates, it feeds on small invertebrates like other ranellids. When alive it is covered by a thick, hairy layer of very dark brown periostracum. Generally a little-varied species, except some variations in the height-to-width ratio and the relative length of the anterior siphonal canal. Young specimens appear much more elongate, due to the shell expanding very quickly in the penultimate and body whorls of the adults. Like other Cymatium species, the outermost layer of the varices are formed first before being filled in. It is easily distinguished from other Cymatium (sensu stricto) species by its much less shouldered varices and whorls. Typical shell length around 150mm, extreme giants are known to exceed even 190mm.
Mitra hilli Cernohorsky, 1976 <br /> MITRIDAE<br /> -100~120m, By olive flounder gillnet, Sakai Port, Minabe-cho, Hidaka, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, 1980s, 82.4mm <br /> <br /> An attractive species with a shell patterned by numerous reddish brown axial flammules over three white spiral bands, "Hill's Mitre" is a famous classic rarity among Indo-West Pacific mitrids. A rather widely-distributed species ranging from Japan to Philippines to Queensland, Australia, vast majority of specimens originate from the Philippines where it is only rather rare; outside the Philippines it is extremely rare, especially live specimens. The type locality is Cape Moreton, southeastern Queensland, Australia. It was made famous by T.C. Lan who included it in his much celebrated work "Rare Shells of Taiwan in Color" (1980), and Tokio Shikama of Japan also included it in his "Index of Rare Shells" in which he selected 40 highly desirable shells from the Indo-Pacific region. A carnivorous and predatory species inhabiting muddy bottoms of moderately deep water around -100~300m, it most likely feeds exclusively on sipunculids like other mitrids. Very variable in the development of axial flammules and somewhat variable in shell height to width ratio; individuals from the northern populations (such as Japan and Taiwan) tend to have more slender shells with a higher density of axial flammules (as shown). Typical shell length around 80mm, extremely large specimens may exceed 110mm. It is named in honour of the late Leonard Hill, a shell collector and dealer from Miami, Florida.
Fulgoraria smithi (Sowerby III, 1901) <br /> VOLUTIDAE<br /> About -800m, By crab traps, Sagami Bay, Between Misaki and Izu-Oshima, Central Honshu, Japan, 1991/v, 191.3mm <br /> <br /> Characterised by a much inflated and very thin, fragile shell combined with a large, bright orange parietal callus, Fulgoraria smithi is an extremely distinctive and unique member of its genus. Undoubtedly the most sought-after collector's item among all Fulgoraria species of the Japonic province and arguably the rarest, it is endemic to Pacific central Honshu in Japan ranging from Choshi, Chiba Prefecture to Sagami Bay to Kii Peninsula. A carnivorous and predatory species inhabiting soft bottoms, it inhabits rather deep water around -600~800m. Part of the reason behind its great rarity is that bottom trawling is either banned or scarcely performed throughout its range today, and trap fisheries usually do not go down to the depth it inhabits. For example, when alfonsino trawlers were active in the area off Choshi, Chiba Prefecture in the 1950-1970s, a number of fantastic specimens were brought up; now trawling has effectively stopped and no specimens have surfaced from this area in the recent years. Generally a little-varied species but in geronic specimens the outer lip tends to flare-out a little and become slightly thickened. In living animals the shell exhibit a light violet colouration, unfortunately this fades in a few days after the animal dies. The foot is extremely large and often the lip edge is damaged when the animal attempts to quickly withdraw into the shell. Its egg capsule is round in shape and is attached on hard bottom at a single edge. Although the typical shell length is around 170mm, extremely large specimens are known to reach a colossal size of 260mm. Due to the morphological distinctness of its shell compared to other Fulgoraria volutes, especially the single columellar plait and its thin construct, the monotypic genus Kurodina was once erected by Harald A. Rehder (1969) to house this species. Kurodina is now generally accepted as a mere synonym of Fulgoraria, although some authors still use it as a valid subgenus. Sowerby III originally described this species in 1900 as Voluta uniplicata Sowerby III, 1900, but this was in fact preoccupied by Voluta uniplicata Sowerby II, 1850, a mid-Eocene fossil from England. Sowerby III only realised this error when Edgar A. Smith pointed it out, and in the following year the replacement name Voluta smithi was proposed by Sowerby III to honour Edgar A. Smith.
Conus granulatus Linnaeus, 1758 <br /> CONIDAE<br /> -6m, By diver at night, Under rock, Big Pine Key, Florida Keys, Florida, USA, 37.2mm <br /> <br /> Perhaps the most prestigious rarity among the Atlantic conids, it is not difficult to understand how the "Glory-of-the-Atlantic Cone" earned its vernacular name, given its exceptional beauty. Compared to the other three "glory-of" cones ("Glory-of-the-Sea" Conus gloriamaris Chemnitz, 1777, "Glory-of-India" Conus milneedwardsi Jousseaume, 1894, and "Glory-of-Bengal" Conus bengalensis (Okutani, 1968)) which are all large conids exceeding 100mm in shell length, from Indo-West Pacific, and have triangular "tent" patterns, it is quite different in terms of size, pattern, and provenance and appears to be the odd one out. However, one should remember that in fact it is the first species out of the four to be formally described. Dispite being widely distributed in and around the Caribbean Sea, ranging from southeast Florida to northern South America, it remains rare across its range even today. A predatory and vermivorous gastropod, it inhabits sand and rubble bottoms of coral reefs from very shallow waters up to 30m deep. It is surprisingly variable in terms of sculpture, with some specimens (including the lectotype) showing very strong spiral ridges and others being almost completely smooth (which was given the name Atlanticonus espinosai Sarasua, 1977, currently considered a mere form). The height-to-width ratio is also rather variable. It almost always carry a bright and pleasing colouration, however, and the early whorls are usually yellow in all forms. Typical shell length around 35mm, but extremely large specimens occasionally exceed 60mm.
A species fit for the season, from Christmas Island! :) <br /> <br /> Turbo lajonkairii (Deshayes, 1839) <br /> TURBINIDAE<br /> -6~8m, By diver, Christmas Island, Commonwealth of Australia, Indian Ocean, 1980s, 89.0mm <br /> <br /> With a pleasing shell painted with stripes of greens and decorated by spines with a hint of blue, the "Lajonkairi's Turban" is a famous rarity among the turbinids endemic to the remote Christmas Island and Cocos-Keeling Islands in Indian Ocean offshore of Java, admistered by Australia and collectively known as the Australian Indian Ocean Territories. Originally described by Gérard Paul Deshayes in genus Delphinula with a supposed locality of New Zealand (almost certainly erroneous), its true locality was interestingly remarkably (indirectly) revealed by Charles Darwin of the "Origin of Species" fame. Darwin visited the Cocos-Keeling Islands during the homeward voyage of HMS Beagle, and collected some specimens of Turbo there himself. These were handed to Lovell A. Reeve who correctly identified them as Deshayes' species, and he later figured one of Darwin's specimens in his famous "Conchologia Iconica" (1848). In fact, this became the first published record of molluscan fauna for the Cocos-Keeling Islands. Much later, its existence in Christmas Island was established by Smith (1887) in the first comprehensive checklist of molluscan fauna on the island. Although most authors have accepted it as a valid full species, Alf & Kriepl (2003) have suggested that it might be better considered a geographical subspecies of Turbo argyrostomus Linnaeus, 1758. In the most up-to-date checklist for the Cocos-Keeling-Christmas region, however, Tan & Low (2014) records that both T. lajonkairii and T. argyrostomus co-occur on the islands. This supports the separation of T. lajonkairii as a full species. Another interesting note is that Maes (1967) even considered it to be a subspecies of T. mamoratus Linnaeus, 1758, but no sufficient evidence was given and this is highly unlikely given the totally disparate morphology. Though probably only uncommon at most in its natural habitat, its remote distribution makes it an extremely rare and sought-after species on the shell trade market, generally a very difficult and costly species to obtain. A herbivorous grazer inhabiting rocky substrates, it can be found from low intertidal waters down to about 20m deep. Typical shell length around 75mm, extremely large specimens may exceed 100mm. The spine development is very variable among individuals, in terms of spine thickness and width.
Lyncina leucodon (Broderip, 1828) <br /> CYPRAEIDAE<br /> -40~50m, Among rocks, By hookah diver, Balut Island, Davao Occidental, Mindanao, Philippines, 86.0mm <br /> <br /> The majestic "White-toothed Cowrie", with its lovely round spotting combined with delightful toothing and a large size, has long been a celebrated favourite among shell collectors since its discovery in the early 19th Century. One of S. Peter Dance's 50 "Rare Shells" (1969), more than a hundred-and-twenty years the holotype remained the only known specimen, until a second was found in 1960. However, neither of these had locality data attached and its true habitat remained a mystery -- until 1965 when one was found in a fish stomach in Sulu Sea, Philippines. The advancement of tangle-netting in the Philippines soon made live-collected material available to the collecting world. Today it is known to have a wider range from Eastern Indian Ocean to Philippines to New Guinea, living in moderately deep water around -50~250m deep and probably an omnivorous grazer. Although no longer a mystic species it is still rare and very costly to obtain today, partly due to the great demand for high quality specimens. A perfect and large specimen with good spotting is still something to be greatly proud of, because most specimens have growth scars or fish bites and/or have poor patterns. During the history of this rare species, there have been some confusions regarding various subspecies/form names proposed for this species. Raybaudi (1978) proposed the subspecies name angioyna Raybaudi, 1978 for the Philippines population, because he considered the type material (i.e., leucodon leucodon) to have originated from the Maldives. Although this is possible (except that it appears to be very rare in the Maldives and records from there remains with some uncertainty), it is impossible to be absolutely certain due to the intraspecific variation and the fact that the holotype lacked any locality data. A review by Bergonzoni in 2012 supports Raybaudi's opinion, and there has been no futher discussion of this matter in the literature since. The name tenuidon Lorenz, 1999 was introduced as a subspecies for the population ranging from Thailand to Indonesia which are generally smaller and rounder, with wider interstices between teeth as well as longer columellar teeth, and have a larger number of smaller spots. Some consider this to be a valid subspecies while others consider it as merely a form. Finally, the name escotoi Poppe, 2004 was described as a form for the Aliguay population which differ from the typical Philippines population by being much smaller, rounder, and with a darker colouration. As this name was described after 1960 and as a form, it is unavailable under the ICZN Code and therefore carry no validity. Typical shell length around 80mm (slightly smaller in tenuidon and escotoi but these are probably merely forms), extremely large specimens are known to exceed even 105mm.
Barneystrombus kleckhamae (Cernohorsky, 1971) <br /> STROMBIDAE<br /> Mataput, Rabaul, East New Britain Province, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea, 47.5mm <br /> <br /> The exquisite "Kleckham's Conch", with its striking 'black mouth', is a much celerbated rarity among strombids. The dark aperture extends to the dorsal face of the anterior extremities, its intensity increases with maturity though this does also vary among individuals. In addition, the four dark lines on the dorsum is another important characteristic (though not absolutely always present); the most anterior of the four usually stretches across the entire whorl. It has a very restricted range in the Western Pacific, known only from Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. The holotype is a subfossil specimen taken from pumice deposits of Matupi Island near Rabaul (New Britain, Papua New Guinea) which contains many molluscs presumably deposited during the volcanic uplift in 1937, in the major eruption of Mutapi volcano. In fact, vast majority of the specimens offered on the market are subfossil specimens from the Rabaul Bay; such subfossils were once only uncommon but appears to have become more scarce recently. Fresh specimens are very rare even in dead-collected condition, live-taken specimens are extremely rare. Supposedly decades ago some specimens were dredged live in the Solomon Islands, and more recently a few have also been live-taken in Papua New Guinea. Presumably a herbivorous gastropod feeding mostly on algae, the few live-taken specimens have been collected around a depth of 100~110m on rubble. Typical shell length around 45mm, very large specimens approaches 55mm. It is named in honour of Mrs. Marjorie Kleckham, Port Moresby, Papua, who first recognised that it is a new species. The closely related Barneystrombus boholensis (Mühlhäusser, 1981), mainly known from around Bohol Island in the Philippines where it is quite common, was originally described as its subspecies but is now generally considered to be a separate species in its own right. The shell of B. boholensis is larger (average around 60mm, largest specimens exceeding 75mm) and has a very different pattern on the dorsum without the black lines. Unlike B. kleckhamae the anterior extremities (especially the dorsal face, including the anterior siphonal canal) are not black in B. boholensis.
Pinna nobilis Linnaeus, 1758 <br /> PINNIDAE <br /> Dived at low tide, Sicily Channel, Parrini, Province of Trapani, Sicily, Italy, 687.4mm <br /> <br /> The gargantuan "Noble Pen Shell" (also known as the "Fan Mussel") is not only by far the largest of all Mediterranean bivalves and the largest living pinnid, but also one of the largest Recent bivalves of the world. Living up to about 20 years of age, the typical shell length is around 500mm but large specimens often exceed 800mm; the largest specimens are even supposed to attain a colossal size of 1200mm. A filter-feeding hermaphroditic bivalve, it lives half-buried in sand or mud with the anterior half protruding out, in shallow waters down to about -50m deep. It prefers calm bays with seagrass meadows composed of mainly the species Posidonia oceanica (Linnaeus) Delile, 1813 and Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Ascherson, 1870. It is found throughout the Mediterranean Sea, of which it is endemic to. Once ago an extremely common species reported to form reef-like structure, its numbers greatly decreased since around 1950s due to both over-harvest for its delicious adductor muscle and damage by trawl fisheries. Today its habitats are also threatened by over-fertilisation. Seeing such threats, the European Union in 1992 formally placed this species under strict protection, which was renewed in 2006. Numerous recovery efforts, including marine reserves, are now actively taking place in various European countries. It is also famously the origin of "sea silk", a fine and valuable fabric woven using its byssus threads. The threads are treated with lemon juice, which gives it a golden hue; and the fabric is said to be extremely light and warm. The production of 'sea silk' has virtually stopped by 1950s. Furthermore, this species also produces natural pearls, albeit rarely. Like all pinnids, it shells are highly prone to cracking when dried; making long-term storage a difficult task. Young specimens often have extensive frilly sculpture which are diminished by erosion when fully adult; such frilly specimens were once given the name Pinna squamosa Gmelin, 1791 (now a junior synonym). Giant specimens have been given the name Pinna gigas Röding, 1798, also regarded as a junior synonym today. These are just a couple out of about two dozen junior synonyms given to the various forms and growth stages of this species.
Barycypraea fultoni amorimi Raybaudi, 1989<br /> CYPRAEIDAE<br /> -120~150m, Trawled, Off southern Mozambique, 2004/x, 72.2mm <br /> <br /> A truly unique cypraeid species, the "Fulton's Cowrie" is one of the most famed and desirable cowries of all. Today its known range is from Mozambique to East London, South Africa, with a slight disjunction between the two countries where there are virtually no records. First discovered from the digestive tract of fishes (termed "ex pisce", mostly from the "Black Musselcracker" Cymatoceps nasutus (Castelnau, 1861)) in Natal, South Africa, and for years this remained the only way of obtaining this species. Only after 1987 live and fresh-dead specimens have began to surface through deep-diving and dredging in eastern South Africa, although these remained extremely rare. More recently, Russian trawlers hit the 'jackpot' when they discovered a large number of this species off Mozambique, causing the market price to drop significantly around the 1990s. Although sharing the general characteristics with the South African ones, individuals from Mozambique were larger, more inflated, and had more numerous teeth. Specimens vary greatly in form, and rarely an individual may be found with callous so extensive that the shell appears triangular from dorsal view. This triangular form of the Mozambique population was the first subspecies to be formally named, as B. fultoni amorimi (Raybaudi, 1989). The more common, inflated and globular specimens found in Mozambique was later designated the subspecies name B. fultoni massieri (Lorenz, 1991), but this was later synonymised with B. fultoni amorimi and is no longer valid. The two subspecies recognised today are therefore segregated geographically: all specimens from South Africa are B. fultoni fultoni and all specimens from Mozambique are B. fultoni amorimi. Another key difference between fultoni amorimi and fultoni fultoni is that the surface of fultoni amorimi is usually naturally covered with fine granules, causing the surface to appear slightly dull (poor or dead specimens are often polished and sold as GEM); the surface of fultoni fultoni appears naturally polished. As the triangular form is much rarer and costly dealers have come up with the form name 'triangularis' when describing superbly calloused amorimi and 'mozambicana' for inflated, normal specimens; but many dealers and collectors today still use the name amorimi for triangular specimens and massieri for globular specimens. As for the South African nominal subspecies, the form name "miniatra" is often used to describe remarkably small specimens (usually around 50mm or less in shell length). One of the 50 "Rare Shells" selected by S. Peter Dance (1969), trawl supplies from Mozambique has become scarce nowadays and thus this species has become very rare again, especially with its ever-increasing popularity and demand among the collecting world. The subspecies amorimi is rare, whereas amorimi f. 'triangularis' is extremely rare; fultoni fultoni and fultoni f. 'miniatra' are rare in dead collected state and extremely rare as always in live-collected condition. In addition to the variations in shell form mentioned above (very variable within each population too), the spotting of the sides and the base are also highly variable. The mesmerising pattern on the dorsum is yet another extremely variable factor with those forming a cross-like pattern, known as the "Malteese Cross", most highly prized among collectors. A carnivorous grazer feeding exclusively on sponges, it inhabits moderately deep waters around -60~150m. Typical shell length around 60mm for South African specimens and 70mm for Mozambican specimens, extremely large specimens are known to exceed 80mm. The name fultoni was given in honour of the British dealer Hugh C. Fulton, amorimi in honour of the Portuguese dealer Manuel Amorim, and massieri in honour of the South African dealer Werner Massier.
Tutufa bardeyi (Jousseaume, 1881) <br /> BURSIDAE<br /> -80~100m, Trawled, Gulf of Oman, 2010/x, 311.8mm <br /> <br /> With an average shell length around 330mm and giant specimens exceeding 430mm, the "Bardey's Frog Shell" is undoubtedly the largest known living bursid of all. An Indian Ocean species, it ranges from Gulf of Oman to Kenya and is also found in the Red Sea. Most specimens have surfaced from Somalia and also Oman, when the Bosch family was stationed there. It appears to be an uncommon species in the natural environment, but due to the political instability around its centre of distribution it is a rarely offered species on the shell market. Compared to other Tutufa species, it has very weak sculpture strength on both the shell surface and the inner lip. Generally a light coloured species, the early teleoconchs are bright reddish-brown but the body whorl is usually white; the aperture is mostly white but can also be orange. The general form is quite variable with regards to the height and width ratio, some specimens are quite narrow and others extremely wide. Usually an extremely rough species prone to all sorts of heavy encrustations as well as physical wear and boring damage, it is very difficult to obtain a quality adult specimen. A carnivorous and predatory gastropod, it inhabits shallow to moderate depths around -30~100m and the primary prey is most likely polychaete worm.
Fustifusus pinicola (Darragh, 1987) <br /> COLUMBARIIDAE<br /> -350m, Dredged, Southwest of Isle of Pines, New Caledonia, 41.1mm <br /> <br /> The "Pines Pagoda Shell" is an elongate and stunningly coloured columbariid endemic to New Caledonia, apparently ranging from southern New Caledonia to Isle of Pines to Norfolk Ridge. Darragh originally described it the genus Coluzea based on a single 21mm juvenile from Isle of Pines, the holotype. Later, upon examination of more materials including adults and soft parts, Harasewych recognised it to be more closely related to genus Columbarium than Coluzea, and yet distinct from both. The genus Fustifusus was therefore erected to house it, and till today it remains the only species placed in that genus. The combination of a lanceolate shell and a unique pigmentation pattern of reddish flammules is unique among all Pacific species of Columbariidae and it is unlikely to be mistaken for any other species. A rare species, it inhabits soft bottoms of rather deep water around -300~450m and is a carnivorous and predatory gastropod feeding on tube-dwelling polychaetes. Typical shell length around 35mm, extremely large specimens may exceed 45mm. The specific epithet 'pinicola' is a reference to the type locality, Isle of Pines.
Columbarium harrisae Harasewych, 1983<br /> COLUMBARIIDAE<br /> Trawled, Capricorn Channel, Queensland, Australia, 99.7mm <br /> <br /> The extensively spinous "Harris' Pagoda Shell" is a handsome columbariid endemic to Queensland, Australia. With a typical shell length around 90mm and very large specimens reaching 110mm, it is a large-sized member of the pagoda shells that is quite unique in shell characteristics and therefore unlikely to be mistaken for any other species. The periphery carry a single row of fine triangular spines, there may be one or two strong and spiny spiral cords between the periphery and the anterior carina which is also finely spinous. The space between spines are usually marked by small, reddish colour patches. The siphonal canal is stout and densely covered in short spines; in mature specimens the outer edge develops to envelope the opening slit (as shown). Unlike most Columbarium species its protoconch begins in a sharp tip due to the earliest part of the first whorl being corneous and deciduous upon hatching from the egg. It shares this feature with its sister species C. hystriculum Darragh, 1987, which is rather similar but carry double-spines on the periphery and has sparser spines on the siphonal canal. A carnivorous and predatory gastropod feeding on tube-dwelling polychaetes, it inhabits soft bottoms of rather deep water around -250~350m. Although moderately common, most specimens have damaged siphonal canals and it is surprisingly difficult to acquire a large and fine specimen. It was named in honour of Ms. Valerie Harris, who provided the type material for study and deposition.
Columbarium sinense Zhang, 2003 <br /> COLUMBARIIDAE<br /> -400~600m, Trawled, Northern part of Spratly Islands, South China Sea, 2016, 56.2mm <br /> <br /> A pagoda shell with an intricately lacy sculpture, Columbarium sinense is a columbariid hitherto only known from around the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea. Though it appears to be only uncommon in its natural habitat, it is very seldom seen on the shell trade market due to its remote and difficult to access locality. Nothing is known about its biology beyond the fact that it inhabits sandy to muddy bottoms around 400~600m deep, but it is almost certainly a carnivorous and predatory gastropod feeding on tube-dwelling polychaetes like other members of Columbariidae. The uniformly white or cream shell is moderate in spire height; the periphery carries a single row of large and triangular open spines. Characteristically, there are three or four almost equally strong spiral cords carrying small triangular spines anterior of the periphery. Typical shell length around 60mm, extremely large specimens may exceed 80mm. It is very similar to its co-occuring sister species C. corollaceoum Zhang, 2003, but that species has just two strong cords below the periphery (plus a very weak one inbetween) and only the most posterior one carry obvious spines. Otherwise the two are very similar and future studies may prove that they are merely two extremes of a single variable species. The original specific epithet used in the description paper was 'sinensis' [sic], but for gender agreement with the genus name Columbarium it must be used as 'sinense' under the ICZN Code.
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