Poreqeret iat the Be) ah err hey bis, WeDo ad be sia » ’ ie ee od De ON Bd ca ee oD neat 2 of Re fi Frid tenia | Lian are i t att Ee Pg astro ‘iat SOHO bun Wiha oa oA Heater i Mii 3 " t 3 ’ ai haba Mette ety f ri ! Wat erty td ¢ ete why Bia RAC ara Para het Hi! SW Td ipdter 1 hey rhs , ; tit wtHee aes abe rey a Rees 4 E A yboe salou i) f | ata PO MnO HS PTI H Para a es 43 sabi g 2 trang Mlyd Vang : x ‘ Thi Gan 4 i t i ih : Pe as evi hii iB oaaa fed vtaaah ‘ aR Tete all hv sane Lite At eda ig titi %, hie ‘ 7 z Hy ! ipanglh Nera Ee ME i Uneeevan YE Hn AO he toe prep aay salsa be Atanas Crea Peat sd Nyiaey 84 anlinys ‘ Mr ie is H ‘ i, A 3 i eS TOS OS I bas ahs Wa % ( } » f : ena 4 : SS it SUN AAURRERECH IC AnEART oe tik ; tape vines : : Has tas i BY A cer Ir ty i Wane Fi : : Sipser tans ys AVY Meng ta Awuae vy se Wa re EEE lyre \ ‘ Get 4 Ty 1 aot 3 £3, Vunuabalon jars sSoueys dali n i yy assays ign, ' ee RY FAL ate ehiat Prat 4isvy Rab reat t pyqeitea syaha Aasvitreea % wt eT tat pr Vee yy neve LW See aunisalneledy any sary Cites Vw Tee ea ieee a y ve 4 et Joe FW cme MALE Va bev otal + a SOLEMN INS pe SiGe! Sesae gem ata : ata Grraes Wesara shea yoy eran yy Onn tae? SVE etl Dey ose Di tgph ve teenies WADE ETeResS or enyn yn Taran > « r os 7 “a see Me: OPA AS SEANG etna 1 8 ‘ ene a fo dedeae es Vedeie a a veal " Q i 3 & ERAT Seth) Se oRIAS tiny SY WIA a aR LN : ‘ lthy = SOS ays erie ary “ ys Vhs Qateuey , Tred Besides tate Rea Atay VeAtean Ag hae wy inta ey el ty eH seVISKAT HEED Ep ED muy ; PQuEARRIOr Rn ht ORC Wir Ory sed ag hl oy Te ee ty on " 5 ifn: a ee Bann \ nMEN. THE FIELD MUSEUM LIBRARY PO 3 5711 00047 6847 aaa FOUNDED 1893 € 7 Approximately 100 collectors gather- ed in San Francisco, CA., on September 2, 1981 for the Ninth Annual Conchologists of America Convention. The four day con- vention was held at the Miyako Hotel, in the Japan Center. C.0O.A. members from around the country, and as far away as Mexico attended. The convention was host- ed by the Northern California Malacozool- ogical Club, who did a fantastic job in making it a fun-filled four days. Slide presentations, field trips, a shell auction, shell book give-aways, Dealer's Bourse, Highlights Of The Ninth Annual Convention Convention Photos By R. Goldberg and two slide/tape presentations by JeanCat« on Rare Shells, and Dredging for Shells by Forrest & Leroy Poorman, from the Of Sea & Shore slide series. On Thursday morning, early risers got a preview of "Focus on Conchology,'' a television show produced by Richard Goldberg, and included inter- views with notable malacologists and con- chologists such as Peter Dance, R. Tucker Abbott, A.J.(Tony)Gabelish, William Old, Dr. William Clench, and others. Since shell collecting is banned in California, to the,Cale cornaa. e@oeoeeeleleoeoelelole and Banquet were |Q OlOlMOMOlW Oj" A\\N-A)|N-A)|X-Aj|S Z) field. tripsmwere | oT just some of the [A events. Many: slide presenta- tions were giv- en during each morning session includ- ing, Shelling in the Philip- pines by Joel Greene, Exotic and Rare Land Shells by Rich- ard Goldberg, an underwater diving film by Martin Lerner, Seashells of the Pacific Northwest, by James Russell White, Jr., Rere one ks by Phil ‘Clover, Shell’ *Cottec- ting in Panama, by Carol Skuglond, Scuba Diving in the Caribbean by Martin Lerner, S VAR ZA OO SA4 « Shelling in Puerto Rico by Richard Goldberg, Academy of Scien- ces, and to Marine World Africa/USA. At the Academy, Dr. Barry Roth of the Dept. Inver- tebrate Zoology, and Or. Peter Rhodda showed the Department's wet (preserved mol- Watisk }COLLeCLiIOn, as well as the dry and fossil collection. The trip to Marine World in- cluded viewing the McGill Memorial Shell Collection and free time to see the attractions. On Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon the Dealer's Bourse Con’t on Page 4 Collective Devotion To Advancing- Conchology. _—_. Sete ele cH RRR ROI SSE In 1972, a group of shell collectors saw the need for a national organization devoted to the inter- ests of shell collectors. Thus, CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA, INC. was formed -- for amateur collectors interested in the beauty of shells, their scienti- fic aspects and the collecting and preservation of mollusks. The membership includes novices, as well as advanced collectors, scientists and shell deal- ers from around the country and world. An annual convention is held each year in a different part of the country. OFFICERS PRESIDENT: Ruth Greenberg; 22762 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, California, 90265 VICE-PRES.: Bernard Pipher; 1116 N Street; Tekamah, Nebraska, 68061 SECRETARY: Jay Tripp; 212 Connecting Road; Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania, 15228 TREASURER: Clair Stahl; 3235 N.E. 61st Ave., Port- land, Oregon, 97213 BULLETIN EDITOR: Richard Goldberg ©0666 0 0 6 6 0 08 8 6 0 ee ee oo oo etng0n8e8a0,0,0,0.0.0.0-0.0-00-0 0-0-0 '00-0/0"0 0-0 0'e STAFF ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER: Marc Goldberg The BULLETIN is an official publication of the CONCH- OLOGISTS OF AMERICA, INC., published quarterly in March, June, September, and December. We invite you to submit any shell related items for inclusion in the BULLETIN. Address all BULLETIN correspondence to the EDITOR, 49-77 Fresh Meadow Lane, Flushing, New York, 11365. MEMBERSHIP DUES INDIVIDUAL (per year) $5.00; FAMILY(receives one Bulletin) $7.00; OVERSEAS(Air Mail Postage) $10.00; Send check or money order to the TREASURER (address above); ***Any other membership problems should be addressed to the MEMBERSHIP CHAIRPERSON, Phyllis Pipher, 1116 'N' St., Tekamah, Nebraska, 68061. EDITORIAL %-Each year that I attend the C.0.A.— convention, I become more convinced that they-are the. shelling highlightsoft sthe year. I enjoyed meeting many of you in San Francisco, and look foward to seeing many of you at future conventions. This editoral will also be my last as editor of the Bulletin. Due to pro- fessional commitments and nurturing my career in ,the television industry. —© can no longer devote the amount of time needed to produce the issues. I gave up the editorship with great reluctance, but in the interest of the membership to make sure that each issue arrives ina reasonable amount of time. I am happy to announce that my suc- Con’t on Page 11 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN SEPT 1981/No.. 25 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE It is indeed an honor and a privilege to serve as president of Conchologists of America this coming year. I know you all are committed, as I am, to the aims of the organization. We will continue to work together to promote interest in conchology, exchange information, and encourage proper collecting and preserva- tion of shells, both in displays and in natural habitats. Our organization continues to grow as more collectors become aware of us through this excellent Bulletinj’C.07K.; awards presented at shell shows inter- nationally, and many articles in shell publications and local newspapers. As we gain more members, we gain the abil- ity to support more worthwhile projects. We gather together once a year at our annual convention, and they get bigger and better every year. I enjoyed meet- ing many of you in San Francisco and look forward to seeing everyone at our next convention. Let's work for a record breaking convention in 1982 -- our decade year! Happy Shelling, Ruth Greenberg Ruth Greenberg, new president of Concho- logists of America. Photo by Richard N. Levine, Santa Monica Evening Outlook -- appeared September 17, 1981 with arti- cle on conchology and the C.O.A. I must confess that I have had a deep-seated dislike for this rather attractive and extremely rare species forgseveral years. el was*never*really sure why until recently while preparing a slide presentation on rare Cypnaea, and came across a slide of a particular specimen of Cyptaea portert, having one of those all too familiar moments of revelation: One morning several years ago our telephone rang at about one o'clock. Since I am a perfect gentleman about such matters, I awakened my wife Dorothy, and allowed her to take the call. She was gone for a few minutes, during which time I managed to fall asleep. She re- turned and I half awoke when she said that she had just bought a Cypraea portenrt. I mumbled some suitable acknowledgment, such as, "That's nice dear," and went back to sleep -- for about two minutes. By the time my realization of what she had said sank into my dormant brain, she was sound asleep, and I was left to spend a restless night mulling the whole thing over. I awakened her at a decent hour(5:00 a.m. is, after all, as decent as any other hour that I can think of) and reviewed the happenings of several hours before. The telephone call was from the secretary of one of our regular suppliers from Taiwan. He was calling to let us know that a specimen of Cypraea portert had just been collected by a fishing trawler and that he could get it for us if we wanted it. I like to think that he had forgotten that there is a time difference of almost twelve hours between Brooklyn and Kaohsuing, but I more suspect that he was anxious to be the first one to make a sizable profit on the shell. Need- less to say, we wanted the shell and that morning cabled to confirm our in- terest. Alas, the story does not have a happy ending -- the specimen arrived a few days later and proved imperfect, with an obvious growth scar above one margin. I must admit that I was quite tempt- ed to purchase the shell despite the flaw, but from both an economic and aesthetic CONCHOLOGISTS OF) AMERICA BULLETIN PAGERS peint of view Ie have néver*been* able” to recommend a shell that is imperfect to so great a degree, and I returned it to Taiwan. Several months later a fellow shell dealer was visiting us and he proudly displayed his newly acquired specimen of Cypraea portent. I could not repress my laughter when I saw the scar above its Margin sewL 73,USt awondeéer aif imy .conirere LOSE Fas nighe"ses Leeprover 1t itoo. Cypraea portertt was described by Crawford N. Cate in 1966 in THE VELIGER, 8(3):200-201, from a single specimen collected in 48 feet of water at the entrance to a coral cave off Manubal Island (part of the Tapul Group), just south of Capac and Siasi Islands in the Sulu Archipelago, Philippines. The spec- imen measures 47.0mm in length, 34.7mm in width, and 25.3 in maximum height. Cypraea porteri Cate, 1966 - trawled in 200 meters of water off Ilan, Taiwan. Photo by Bob Janowsky. In 1970 Phil Clover came across a shell somewhat similar to Cypraea portent, but different in some aspects, which was taken from deep water off Taiwan. This shell was considerably larger (57.7mm X 37.1mm X 30.4mm) and slightly different in shape and denti- tion and several other features. The differences were great enough for Clover to describe his shell as a new species, Cypraea foycae, in VENUS, 29(2):35-36. Today most Cypraea spec- ialists consider joycae a synonym for the earlier-named portent. Readers interested in a thorough diagnosis are referred to an article by Luigi Raybaudi Massilia on Cypraea portett in LA CONCH- IGLIA, year) 9jert04-105, Nove-Dec.. 1977, pp. 4-14. Accompanying the article are color photos of the types of both Cypraea Con’t on Page 8 PAGE 4 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN SEPT 2“ 1981 /Nol3 25 Convention. . .Con’t from Page 1 was held. Ten shell dealers from around the country filled the convention room with tables of specimen shells and crafts for viewing and purchase. This event has become one of the most popular at the C.0.A. conventions, and not only brought local collectors, but local television news coverage for a report that was to be aired about the convention. Wayne Stevens [left] ran the door prize book give-aways during the convention. The convention closed on Saturday evening with the Banquet. The guest speaker was Glenn Burkhardt, who along with his wife Laura, are authors of the book "West Coast Chitons." Glenn gave an enjoyable slide presentation on ''California Underwater Marine Life." Everyone then said their good-byes, and were off next morning, back to their | Local television news covered various events during the convention. The auction of specimen seashells was very successful this year, and bid- ders went home with a lot of choice spe- cimen, shel se (See repore onthe auctign in this issue). The business meeting on Saturday afternoon gave members and the executive board a chance to catch up on pending business from the past year. The nominating committee presented the new slate of offices, and after the vote, our new executive officers for 1981/82 a are Ruth Greenberg/President; Bernie The banquet speaker was Glenn Burkhardt. Pipher/Vice-President; Jay Tripp/Sec- Bt Re tale: Ge aee Be ee : home towns with memories of the Ninth The Northern California Malacozoological Annuatieaoenetconventica: Club was thanked for hosting such an Next year will be our decade year outstanding convention by Wayne Stevens. as an organization, and a very special ted Pat Burke of Nassau Bay, Texas exhibi a number of shell X-rays in the meeting | room. some Shell fossils at the Academy. Cont on Page 6 SEPRS VEG S/ Noe Z5S > SHELLS IN PRINT By Richard Goldberg A recent addition to the conchological litera- ture is. South! African Sshebts e- -AgCollector's Guide," by Deirdre Richards, and publrshedsby C. Struik Puy epaltd.erublaishers | Gape Town, South Africa. This slick, hardcovered volume contains 98 text pages and | for the first time 60 plates of South m® African shells illustrated in full color. | The high quality photographs represent i 27 species of gastropods, bivalves, ) Chitons, Tusk Shells arid Cephalopods that can be found along the entire coast of / South Africa. This field guide-format book is div- | ided into two parts -- text in front and | plates following. Each species is number- ed numerically in the text and cross-ref- erenceascOstnesplates. Full.nomenciature is given for each species (author and date!), along with geographical range in South Africa, and a short but useful descraption—of-the-shell...Thesspecies are presented in taxonomic order. Where necessary comments relative to synonomy, | habitat or identification are: included. The introduction has the typical material needed for the beginning col- lector (classes of mollusks, etc.), and for the advanced collector or those in- terested in specializing in South African shells, an outline of the coastal envir- onment (including map), and regulations concerning collecting mollusks on the DLA. coaste The seopesotethe book covers species you would be likely to find on a collect- ing trip, and includes some of the rarer species. I was disappointed not to see illustrated four of the rarest Cypraea from S.A. (and the world) -- C. fultont, enrutkshanki, brodertps and barckayi. Ms. Richards makes mention of them, and states that the former two, although end- emic, are not found on the beaches, as are the latter two cowries. I highly recommend this most useful identification guide. It costs U.S.$15.95 and is available through Bookwise (Pty.) Ltd., ‘P.0..Box41144, Cape’ Town. 8000,,S.A. Or inquire with your U.S. shell book dealer. CONCHOLOGISTS OF ; WICA BULLETIN PAGE 5 Sf American Malacologists, Inc. has published the se- cond installment in the series of Monographs of Marine Mollusca, on August 15, 1981 -- The Family Buccinidae, Part I [The Genera Nassaria, Trafana, and Neoteton, by Walter O. Cernohorsky. This 52 page monograph covers the three before-mention genera, plus the sub-genus Microfusus, placed in the subfamily Photinae. Cernohorsky staves that there are about 120 living generic groups and 60 fossil generic groups in the Buccinidae. He also points out that the name Nassaria should not be confused with Nassarius, which belong to the family Nassariidae. Although no color plates are used in this section of MMM, high quality black and white photographs illustrate the said species. This scientific work illustrates living and fossil species, and outlines geographical ranges on maps. Full treat- ment of each species is given. The species covered in this mono- graph are relatively uncommon to rare, and live in deeper waters below the in- tertidal areas. Many are not illustrated in the more popular literature, which makes this work useful not only to the professional, but also to advanced col- lectors and specialists. Most likely other genera in this family will be covered in future sections of MMM. The cost of this loose-leaf format monograph is $7.50 post paid, and can be purchased through American Mala- cologists,,.Inc.,) Box. 2255, Melbourne; EL. oi 9015. “% ARTICLE OF INTEREST: Skin Diver, November 1981; p. 94 "Bring 'em Back Empty," by Cheryl Price. Scuba divers' access to fresh dead shells.in its habitat. She advocates taking these dead, but equal quality specimens. Learning shell habitats We were saddened to hear of the un- timely death of Rowland F. Zeigler, of Murrels Inlet, South Carolina. Rowland was a knowledgeable collector and was co-author with Humbert C. Porreca, of "Olive Shells of the World.'' He will be greatly missed my his many friends and loved ones throughout the world. I'm sure you will join us in extending sympathies to the family of Rowland Zeigler. PAGE 6 Convention. . .Con’t from Page 4 5 Barbara Good of San Diego, CA., and Carol Skoglund of Phoenix, Az. [fore- ground], check some of the preserved mollusks at the Academy of Sciences. convention is being planned in a very special locality, to be announced in an upcoming C.0.A. Bulletin -- hope to see you there. -g., Many had time to see the sites around scenic San Francisco during breaks. AUCTION The Conchologists of America held its annual shell auction of donated specimen shells on September 4, during the Ninth Annual Convention in San Francisco. As in the past, this year's auction was a complete success with the help of donators, auction committee, and of course, spirited bidding by collectors attending the convention. The final tally was over $2100 taken in during the 33 hour auction. CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN SEPLS Auction shells were on display for view- ing before they were auctioned off. Many beautiful and rare species were put up for auction this year, including the Golden Cowrie illustrated in the Stix book "The Shell - Five Hundred Mil-_ lion Years of, Inspired. Design" andsover 150 ‘other. Tots ot shells. “Ihe auccian= eering was dutifully handled again this year by past C.0.A. president Martin Lerner of New York. A special thanks goes to Phillip Clover who received, organized and listed the shells donated. Clair Steps proudly shows the Harpa costata won i from the raffle ~..drawn during fhe auction. The highlight of the auction was a raffle for the specimen of Harpa costata illustrated in Jerry Walls' latest book, "Conchs, Tibias, and Harps. I[t*isva large“andspéerfect“specimen, and 38 ten dollar raffle tickets were purchased in the hope of winning this much sought-after shell. With tickets in hand and fingers crossed the winning ticket was drawn towards the end of the auction -- and the winner was...Clair Stahii''-Our‘own C.0.A. “treastirer)- [He said that this was the first thing he 1981/No.%25 SEPT a \h98t/Now 325 has ever won. He must still be smiling! The annual auction is an exciting and fun event at the convention, and we hope to see you at next year's gathering. Auctioneer Martin Lerner fields another Did tor a shell. on - thevauction block. The C.0O.A. thanks the following dealers and collectors for their gen- erous donations to the annual auction of specimen shells: Carfel Shell Export/ Manila, Philippines Phil Clover/ Glen Fllen, Calif. F.G. Dayrit/ Quezon City, Philippines Tom Honker/ Delray Beach, Florida Morrison Galleries/ Sarasota, FL. Andre imports/ San francisco, iCAs Panamic Specimen Shells/Phoenix, AZ. Pisor Marine Shells/ San Diego, CA. Ed Schelling/ Shalimar, Florida Richard Goldberg/ Flushing, N.Y. Shamaron Shells/ Deer Park, N.Y. Tidepool Gallery/ Malibu, CA. Collector Donations: S.S.Forrest/ Lubbock, Texas R.L: Miller/ South Laguna, Calif. T. Moore/ N.Palm Harbor, Florida J. Paddison/ Birmingham, Michigan AN OBSERVATION While recently reorganizing my Conus collection, I was struck by the similar- ity between two rather widely separated species geographically. The Indo-Pacific Conus meles Linne, 1758 and the West African cone described as C. sakhrerensis Rolan, 1980 have distinctly similar color and pattern. Adult specimens of each species are at opposite ends of the spec- trum as illustrated below. Both have a white base color over- layed with orange-brown thin axial lines, divided by a central, but faint band. The base of both are dark brown-black, with raises spiral cords, which disappear CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN @ rhe 1981 C.O.A. convention Group Photo PAGE / Wim, | Size relationship between Conus miles Linne, 1758 and Conus salrei- ensis Rolan, 1980. Photographs by above the dark coloring. C. mes does lack the dark shoulder and spire found in C. saktercens1s. Some specimens of this West African cone have the dark shoulder coloring farther down on the body whorl. The second figure shows both species in arcloséessizévrelatronshipt Conus Salrecens~¢s has come under much controversy as to whether it'is a true species or just a form of one of the many diverse West African Conus. The il- lustrated specimen of Conus mikes is Many simi- larities in Color ing/pattern become evi- dent with a close look. from Monuafe Island, Kingdom of Tonga, and measures 58mm in length. The il- lustrated C. saktecensis is from Boa Vista Island, Cape Verde Islands, and measures 19mm in length. Rw Ge O fas illustrated on the cover of this [Jissue, with imprint] will be available [ soon for purchases) The cost ‘is S550 rycen payment should be sent to Richard Goldberg [address in masthead]. If eon requested one at the convention, it has already been reserved for you, []but if not, please order early. Check [Jor money order should be made payable tte Richard Goldberg. The photo is a color enlargement, 8" X 10". PAGE 8 Speaking Of. . .Con’t from Page 3 portent and C. joycae, along with five specimens in the author's collection, three of which are larger than 60mm. In the past few months perhaps twenty specimens of Cypraea porter have been collected in nets in rather deep water (about 150 fathoms) from Balut Island, in the Philippines. I have been able to examine two of these specimens and have seen photographs of two more. These specimens, and from what I can learn about those others from the Phil- ippines that I have not seen, have been much darker in color than those collect- ed in the waters off Taiwan. The Phil- ippine specimens have bright orange bases with dark spotting and a honey- colored dorsum, while those from Taiwan have creamy/orange bases, somewhat light- er colored spots and orange/tan color on the dorsum. The shells from both areas, though, have bright orange margins and canals. (Ltais amteresting stomnotesthat at this time only the holotype of C. portent was obtained in relatively shallow water. Clover's holotype of C. foycae came from a depth of 240 meters. The five specimens reported by Raybaudi Massilia were taken from depths ranging. fromet/0 10-220 meters ,- and specimens collected now in the Philippines also come from approximately 150 to 200 MELers. The Taiwan specimen illustrated here is 48mm in length and was collected at approximately 200 meters depth by a commercial fishing boat working off Ilan, off N.W. Taiwan. This specimen is in the collection of ‘Ga 'Dupréey, Nashville, Teérne- ssee.' Pts colorvand ‘shape are typica lor other specimens seen from Taiwan. This specimen has 25 labial teeth and 26 on the columella. The second specimen ill- ustrated is from the Philippines and mea- sures 50.8mm in length. Clover's observation that the speci- mens from Taiwan have fewer and coarser teeth than specimens from the Philippines seems justified. The average number of columellar teeth of the five specimens reported in LA CONCHIGLIA, the holotype of Clover's C. jsoycae, and the specimen illustrated above, is 27.4, and for the lab#a'l; teéthatheraveraveiis 251” :The corresponding figures for the holotype of C. pontert are 32 columellar and 33 labial teeth. The Philippine specimen CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN Cypraea porteri Cate, 1966 - from Balut Island, southern Philippines. Photo by Bob Janowsky. illustrated here has 31 columellar and 33) Jabiab teeth: a Thisispecimensissin the collection of Miguel Parcerisas Roses of Barcelona, Spain. The diff- erences in the numbers ;of,teethsane Significant when we remember that the holotype of C. portert is 47mm compared to the average length of 55./7mm for.the Taiwanese specimens. One final note on this species -- in the’ first,.edition@ot Jerny gWalis* book, COWRIES, the author considers C. portert and C. foycae as separate spec- ies and illustrates on an unnumbered page corresponding to 261 a specimen erroneously called C. joycae. I have examined this specimen, which is in the collection of New York Shell Club members Dr. and Mrs. William Walkwitz, and be- lieve it to be a sub-adult specimen of an albinotic Cypraea jeantana Cate, 1968. In the second edition of COWRIES, Walls considers C. joycae a synonym of C. portert, and illustrates a rather pale- colored specimen on page Ae aac [This article originally appeared in the New York Shell Club Notes, Dec.1980 #207] SEPP: “E98 1h/ No.2 925 DEPT“ LORY No. 25 (And Participating Shows) British Shell Collectors Club non-competitive exhibits were featured at the BSCC National Shell Show, Britain's only such event. The show was held on ADEpez sey tool. mie Thou. Newsletter reported, ''The premier award at the Show, the magnifi- cent Conchologists of America Plaque, which was made available once more to us by our fellow American collectors, a truly splendid gesture on their part for which we are sincerely greatful, went to club) treasurer;’Geoff Cox’ for -his stunning display of bivalves. It was a large exhibit reflecting a dedicated study and much collecting." : Geoff Cox proudly shows his C.0O.A. Grand Trophy plaque, won at the British Shell Collectors Club National Shell Show. Geoff displayed about 300 species in the family Veneridae, and was enter- ed in the One Family catagory. World wide species were represented and obtain- ed through purchasing, exchanging and self collecting. Geoff and his wife eollectedsalbleor thecNorth Atlantic species displayed from around their coasts. He also won a first class cer- muticate sor the exhibit. Geoff decided to display Veneridae at the last moment just to put in some- Thirty competitive exhibits and “many PAGE 9 thing different, as he knew there would be a good representation of the more popular families. He said, "Here is a case where the common shells beat the Taritues!" Geoff has been collecting for about 12 years and has between three and four thousand species in his collection. He concentrates on bivalves (and in parti- cular Pectens), cones, and cowries. Geoff concluded, "I shall be joining the Conchologists of America in the next few days!" Midwest Regional The Midwest Shell Show sponsored by the INDIANAPOLIS SHELL CLUB, was held at Glendale Mall in Indianapolis on August 14-16, 1981. Winners of the Grand Trophy were Bernie and Phyllis Pipher of Tekamah, Nebraska for their exhibit, "Worldwide Shells - Uncommon To Rare." It was en- tered in the worldwide catagory. This was the first time the Pipher's entered this display in any show, and it consisted. ofy%scases , i244 oot, Square.) There were two cases of Conus, one case of Murex, three cases of Volutes, and three cases of miscellaneous families. All contained rare and uncommon species as the title describes. Many of these species had never been seen by collectors attending the show. A Lyropecten magnificus displayed in another exhibit won the Pipher's Shell of Show(first place). Specimens of Conus adamsont and Angaria viedant displayed in their worldwide exhibit won second and third place Shell of Show respectively! - Bernie and Phyllis Pipher, C.O.A. Grand Trophy winners at the Midwest Regional Shell Show. Con’t on Page 11 PAGE 10 Conus Moluccensis Group Con’t from Page 12 (Ne ee ea ee ee one ee ee which occurs in the Philippines, Okinawa, and New Caledonia. Thus the range of the nominate race disects the range of C. m. merletti. Such a distribution could be the result of changes in sea level during the Pleistocene. At present the taxonomic status of these forms is too uncertain to allow further speculation. Conus moluccensis merletti Mayissian, 1974 The name merlettt has appeared in the shell literature a number of times. With the exception of Mayissian's usage which is also probably the first, these have been provisional and thus unavailable. However, Mayissian's usage is not provisional and meets ICZN requirements for a validly pro- posed binomial. I might point out that there is no requirement in the present code for a comparison. Only characters that differentiate the species are required, and these are given by Mayissian. Some authors have used either moluc- censss or Staingortht for the unspotted form. However, both of these names are based on spotted shells (see Cernohorsky, 1974). Therefore merletti is the only name available for this taxon. C. m. mertetti is most easily dif- ferentiated from the nominate race by the formers lack of spiral rows of spots in the color pattern. These two subspec- ies are certainly similar and later study may show that they are not recognizable. However, it must be shown that spotted shells occur in areas such as New Caled- onia or Okinawa where intergrades should not be expected. Intergrades should occur invthesPhilippinessand \arcasesucheacecnce Solomons. Conus proximus Sowerby, 1859 (C. pulchert A.Adams, 1954 non Lightfoot, 1776 is a synonym) C. proxunus is the easiest species of the complex to recognize. All C. proximus have opaque white markings in thesspiral> lines. “such markings#are snot present in any other species of the com- plex. Cernohorsky (1974) illustrated the type specimens of C. pulcher and C. prox- Amus and gave other characters useful in distinguishing this species from C. mot- UCCENSAS . CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN SEPT. L98iy Notg 25 Philippines; [left] Bogo, Cebu/ 33mm; [right] Bohol, Cebu/ 34mm. Photo by Richard Goldberg. Conus vicdani Kosuge, 1980 This recently discovered species is superficially similar to C. moluccensss. It is, however, quite distinct and not at all difficult to distinguish from C. mol- uccensis. C. vicdant has a pattern of spiral lines of colored dashes that may be grouped into loose bands, whereas C. moLuccenszS either has no spiral lines or has spiral lines made up of spots along with reticulations. C. vicdant does not develop a constriction at the midbody like that found in C. moluccensis. C. vicdani has regularly developed dashes between the nodules that form a line at the shoulder while C. moLuccensis has only irregularly developed blotches between the nodules, and never form a line along the shoulder. The spire of C. vicdant with its large nodules and convex profile is also dif- ferent looking from the spire of C. mot- uccens4s which has small nodules. These speciesshave: been frequently illustrated in’ the’ literatures ™ Walts (1979) illustrated C. martelae, C. prox- Amus and C. m. merlettr (as mokuccensirs). Janowsky (1980) illustrated C. m. moluc- censis (figure 1), C. m. merketti (fig- ure 2 & 3), and C. vicdant (figure 4). [I would like to thank Bob Janowsky for a copy of Mayissian's rather rare pub- lication] Literature Cited Cernohorsky, W.O. 1974. The taxonomy of some Indo-Pacific mollusca with des- cription of a new species Part 2. Rec. Aukland Inst. Mus. 11:121-142. Hinton, A. 1978. Guide to shells of Papua New Guinea. R. Brown & Assoc- SEPT... -1981/No. 25 getes, + ty.,.btd., Port Moresby. Janowsky, B. 1980. The Conus moluccen- sis complex. Conchologists of Amer- tea Bull . 2 -#2253-4. Janowsky, B. 1981. More on the Conus moluccensis complex, and other thoughts... Conchologists of America Bie. Feet, O=7/,. Mayissian, S. 1974. Coquillages de Nouvelle-Caledonie et de Melanesie. Les Presses des Reunies de Noumea, Noumea, New Caledonia. Walter .G. ip 1979..-Cone\.sheils,,a, synop- sis of the living Conidae. TFH Pub- lications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey. Newly Named Nassarius The illustrated Nassartus sp. has been recently named N. troendlLeorum by Dr. W. Cernohorsky in Rec. Auckland Inst. Mus. 17: 113-125, December 1980. The type locality is Punaauia, Tahiti, French Polynesia, and its distribution ‘1s listed from the Kingsmill group, Gilbert Is., to the Tuamotu Archipel- ago. Cernohorsky writes that the spec- ies is superficially similar to N. grant- fer (Kiener, 1834), but this species has a very large, solid callus which reaches the upper spire whorls, the nod- ules are larger, fewer and differently arranged and the sharp denticles on the anterior of the outer lip and distinct blackish-brown coloring on the base of Nassarius troendleorum Cernohorsky,1980, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. 20mm. Photo by Richard Goldberg. CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 11 the body whorl are absent in N.granitfer. The new species was named for Jean and Hildrun Troendle of Tahiti, who col- lected the specimens and have recorded many new molluscan records from French Polynesia. The illustrated specimen measures 20mm in length, and was collected at Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. This | Loca Lite iS iiist -oltTont ly nortin or ste | listed distribution of the species. ~gxg | Grand Trophy. . .Con’t from Page 9 Their C.0O.A. award winning exhibit also took the blue ribbon in the worldwide catagory. Bernie and Phyllis have been col- lecting for about 12 years, and have maintained a general collection. They do have an emphasis on Conus, Mutex, and Volutes. Their field collecting ex- periences have brought them to Florida, Texas and the west coast of Mexico. They have done some scuba diving during theixy collecting trips. The Pipher's have been very invol- ved in the success of the C.0.A., and both have held executive board positions. Bernie was recently elected Vice-Presi- dent at the ninth annual convention in San Francisco. * Editorial. . .Con’t from page 2 cessor is an able and knowledgable young man, Gary Rosenberg of New Jersey. Gary is a recent graduate of Princeton University, and is present- ly working as an Associate of Malacology at the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences. I have pledged my full support to Gary, and hope you will also help in keeping the Bulletin as one of the major sources of information for conchologists. Over the past 23 years that I have edited the Bulletin, there have been numerous people who deserve many thanks for their help and support for the Bulletin -- just too many to list. All of the executive boards that I've worked with have bent over backwards to accomm- odate new ideas and expansion of the issue. Also many thanks to those who submitted articles and newsnotes. As we enter our tenth year as an organization devoted to the col- lector, I hope you will join me in sup- porting our cause...Happy shelling », Richie EGemee Bobs Janowsky,, (1980,,.. 1981) recently presented some notes on the Conus mol- uccens45 species group. He noted this complex is difficult to understand and individual species are difficult to distinguish. lI will outline here a Slightly different viewpoint on the complex. There are seven validly proposed binomials associated with the complex: Conus marielae Rehder & Wilson, 1975; C. merettri Mayissian, 1974; C. moluc- censss Kuster, 1838; C. proxtmus Sower- by, 15593. UC. puccnet A Adanss 1654." G. staingontht Reeve, 1843; and C. vicdanit Kosuge,,1980.. -Ine problem 1s to determine which of these names represent distinct Species. . Presentiy 1U aS DOssipl > ato recognize four species and one subspecies. The following key contains morphological characteristics useful in separating these taxa: KEY 1. Opaque white markings present in interspaces of the spiral lines White markings in interspaces same color as other white areas..... ra 2. Spiral lines poorly developed BOR: C. mokuccensis menkettt Spiral lines usually well developed..3. 3. Columella and neighboring area of dorsal anterior end black or dark brown Columella white....4. 4. Adults distinctly constricted at midbody; blotches between nodules ir- regularly developed and do not form a line along the shoulder; spiral lines made up of spots 20eeC. m. mokLuccensirs Adults not distinctly constricted at midbody; irregularly placed brown dashes between nodules form a line along the shoulder; spiral lines made up of broad dashes Savas Previous authors have taken rather different viewpoints than the one ad- vocated in this paper. For instance Hinton (1978) recognized just one var- iable species, C. moluccensis. Walls (1979) recognized three species, C. moLuccensis, C. proxtmus, and C. coeoeoere eevee eee vicdant CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN Some Further Comments gy john k. tucker On The Conus Moluccensis Species Group SEPT. 1981/No. 254 marielae. It should be noted that Kosuge's description was not available to these two authors. No author has re- cognized Mayissian's name as either val- idly proposed or a valid subspecies. Since the present paper raises some rather controversial ideas, each binomial recognized is further discussed below. Conus marielae Rehder&Wilson, 1975 As Janowsky (1981) noted C. marielae is endemic to the Marquesas Islands. Phil- ippinei shells sold as this spect] se fe C. proximus or C. vicdant. C. marielae is quite an“Interesting speciess —eteap- pears to be halfway between C. moluccensis and C. proxdmus. C. mariekae does not have the opaque white markings of C. prox- AmuS and does not have the constricted body of C. moluccensis. | j } | { Conus moluccensis moluccensis Kuster, 1838 Conus moluccensis Kuster, 1838 - New Britian, Papua New Guinea; 42mm in length. Photo by Richard Goldberg. (C. staingortht Reeve, 1843, is a synonym) C. m. moLuccens4s is similar to C. m. merlettt in shape, but seems to differ in coloration. C. m. moluccensis has spiral rows of spots whereas these are not pre- sent in C. m. merlettr. C. m. moluccensss is also usually more heavily pustulose than is: C.g@meiment cre The distribution of this subspecies is quite interesting. C. m. moluccens1s Ff occurs in New Guinea, the Solomons, and { the New iHebrides. it. 16. So =rarea Selmcan determine, allopatric with C. m. merketti Con’t on Page 10 FIELD MUSEUM LIBRARY CONCHOLOGISTS BULLETIN ® | NUMBER 26 Did you know that C.0.A. has "the most enjoyable conventions of any shell organ- ization"? And, since, this 1S (C.0.A.'s Tenth Anniversary Convention, it should be the best convention yet! Therefore, you owe it to yourself to be there! The 1982 Conchologists of America Convention will convene on Sanibel Island, Florida, one of the shelling capitals of the world! The convention site is the beautiful Sundial Beach Hotel. The conven- tion runs from Wednesday, July 14 through Saturday, July 17. Everyone of those four days will be jammed with activities! One room at the hotel, as a single or double, will be $55.00 per night. Two-bed- room apartments, for up to four people, are also available at $90.00 per night. Earlier this year, a pre-registration and hotel registration formwere mailed to all members. These forms have been included as an insert in this issue, to give you a second chance to register. If you've never been to a C.0.A. convention before, here are some of the things to expect. There will be a series . eae of excellent programs, starting on Wednes- Gulf of Mexico tag day afternoon, covering various aspects og Bae of shelling. You can expect to hear about ® Are shelling expeditions to exotic places, Sun 1€al along with slides that will make you ; want to hop on the next plane to whatever Beach 6 Tennis Resort sheller's pense is eins praised. [con’t on page 2] PAGE 2 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN JUNE 1982/No. 26 ONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA, ING. iA Collective Devotion To In 1972, a group of shell collectors saw the need for a national organization devoted to the inter- ests of shell collectors. Thus, CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA, INC. was formed -- for amateur collectors interested in the beauty of shells, their scienti- fic aspects and the collecting and preservation of mollusks. The membership includes novices, as well as advanced collectors, scientists and shell deal- ers from around the country and world. An annual convention is held each year in a different part of the country. OFFICERS PRESIDENT: Ruth Greenberg; 22762 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, California, 90265 VICE-PRES.: Bernard Pipher; 1116 N Street; Tekamah, Nebraska, 68061 SECRETARY: Jay Tripp; 212 Connecting Road; Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania, 15228 TREASURER: Clair Stahl; 3235 N.E. 61st Ave., Port- land, Oregon, 97213 BULLETIN STAFF EDITOR: Gary Rosenberg The BULLETIN is an official publication of the CONCH- OLOGISTS OF AMERICA, INC., published quarterly in March, June, September, and December. We invite you to submit any shell related items for inclusion in the BULLETIN. Address all BULLETIN correspondence to the EDITOR, 49-77 Fresh Meadow Lane, Flushing, New York, 11365. MEMBERSHIP DUES INDIVIDUAL (per year) $5.00; FAMILY(receives one Bulletin) $7.00; OVERSEAS(Air Mail Postage) $10.00; Send check or money order to the TREASURER (address above); ***Any other membership problems should be addressed to the MEMBERSHIP CHAIRPERSON, Phyllis Pipher, 1116 'N' St., Tekamah, Nebraska, 68061. PO onozeren0,0-0,0.0-0.0-0-0°0°0°0°0"s "soa "s"e"s" sea" a" 2 aaa wad EDITORIAL First, I must apologize for the long delay in the appearance of this issue of the C.0O.A. Bulletin. The editorship of the Bulletin is in a state of flux; I hope that at the upcoming convention matters will be straightened out and the Bulletin will resume its normal quarterly schedule. Second, I'd like to thank the previous editor, Richard Goldberg, for showing me how to go about producing the Bulletin, and for the huge amounts of work he has put into the Bulletin over the past years. Third, I hope you will all try to attend the convention. They're lots of fun and there's something for everyone! Convention . . .Con’t from Page 1 Some of the programs will look at a particular group of shells "in-depth" (or underwater!) , while others will talk about "how to." Of course you don't have to stay indoors all day listening to programs. Shells, sun and surf will all be luring you as the beach is a mere stone's throw from the program room. The welcome cocktail party Wednes- day evening is a great place to make new friends and meet old ones. You make friends fast at a C.0O.A. convention. You'll eat breakfast with people you met the night before, sit next to someone during a slide show whom you met at the cocktail party; you'll be amazed by how quickly strangers become familiar faces. Be prepared to write down a lot of names and addresses before the convention's OVEr. Another attraction of the convention is the Dealer's Bourse (no, that's not a kind of soup, although it has lots of ingredients). Remember to bring your want- list (or your have-list, whichever is easier to carry) and your checkbook, because there will be THOUSANDS of shells for sale, The convention will be capped off by the banquet Saturday evening. The guest speaker will be none other than the inimitable Dr. R. Tucker Abbott. There will also be two field trips (in addition to the ones you organize yourself). One will be a tour of the Ding Darling Bird Sanctuary. This trip is fee; butypransportaGion LSknot pues vided. The other is a boat trip to some of the out islands with a local guide. This trip costs $10.00 per person. Celebrate Our Anniversary at the 1982 Conchologists of America Convention! IN MEMORY Geraldine Walklet passed away recently after a long battle with cancer. Gerrie was an active member of C.0O.A. and one of its past presidents. She will be sorely missed and her absence will be felt many times. We extend our deepest sympathy to her family. JUNE 1982/No. 26 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE THE DISTRIBUTIONAL RANGE OF CYMATIUM PARTHENOPEUM (VON SALIS) by Richard Y. Kirk, Philadelphia, Pa. The study of the distributional ranges of marine mollusks has attracted the interest of researchers and scholars for centuries. The greatest contribution to this field was made in the middle of the nineteenth century by an Englishman, Samuel P. Woodward, who by studying molluscan distributional patterns deter- mined that the world's seas could be divided into sixteen distinct areas which he called marine faunal provinces. He established that each of these pro- vinces contains a characteristic shelled molluscan population, and that over 50 percent of the species in each province are endemic (i.e. found nowhere else). Thus, Woodward discovered the existence of and named the Indo-Pacific Province, the Caribbean Province, the Boreal Pro- vince, the South African Province, and all the others which biologists have found so useful ever since. Woodward's achievement was all the more remarkable for its time, considering the scant scientific information available in his day. Since then, a wealth of new information on molluscan distributions has become available, and better under- standing and appreciation of the com- plexities of molluscan distribution patterns have caused many modifications of Woodward's work. The existence of many sub-provincial areas has been documented, and many anomalous distri- butional patterns have been observed. For example, it has been shown that the distributional patterns of the Volutidae seldom conform to these provincial ranges. Volutes are almost always restricted to relatively much smaller geographic areas, often only a miniscule portion of a province. The most common volute, Cymbiola vespertihio (Linné, 1758), the bat volute, inhabits only the Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, and northern Australia. To consider its range to be truly "Indo-Pacific" would be a great mistake and a misuse of the term. Cymatium parthenopeum (von Salis, 1793) An 89 mm specimen from the Galapagos showing the hairy periostracum typical of many Cymatiids. At the other end of the distribu- tional spectrum is the superfamily Tonnacea (including the tun shells, the tritons, and many others). Many species of this superfamily have unusually broad distributions, often ignoring provincial boundaries. Some members of the group successfully inhabit several provinces. For example, Tonna galea (Linne, 1758), the giant tun, is found in six provinces in the Atlantic: the Mediterranean, West African, South African, Patagonian, Caribbean, and the Carolinian Provinces. In addition, it is wide spread in the Indo-Pacific Province. [con't on page 4] PAGE 4 Con’t from Page 3 Those members of the Tonnacea which have broad geographic ranges have them for two primary reasons. First, the species are hardy enough to survive in both the tropical and temperate zones. Second, they are blessed with a veliger stage (a free-swimming larval form) which remains afloat in the plankton for a much longer period of time than do the veligers of most other mollusks. This allows ocean currents to distribute them over a wider area than is usual among mollusks. One family within the Tonnacea in particular, the Cymatiidae, or hairy tritons, is notable for the unusually wide distributional ranges of its mem- bers. In fact, this family contains the species which has attained the widest distribution of any bottom-dwelling gastropod. Despite this distinction, the species remains fairly unknown among shell “enthusiasts. ‘This*specites 1s Cymatium parthenopeum (von Salis, 1791). So uncelebrated is Cymatium part- thenopeum that it has no common name other than “the hairy triton,’ an epithet it shares with about twenty other species in the Cymatiidae. The anonymity of the species is probably due to two major factors. One factor is undoubtedly the whim and fickleness of shell collectors. As the illustrations show, Cymatium par- thenopeum is a large and handsome shell. Its thick, bristly periostracum explains at a glance why it is called the hairy triton. The animal itself is reportedly fantastically beautiful, with large orange and brown spots which resemble nothing if not a miniature giraffe hide. But the animal and periostracum are seldom seen by shell collectors, and there is nothing particularly exceptional or outstanding about the shell's color, size, pattern, or sculpture which would attract the discriminating collector's eye. The other factor contributing to the species' anonymity, which has not exactly enhanced its popularity among shell collectors, is the incredible con- fusion which has surrounded the nomen- clature of the species. Usually, con- fusion of such magnitude occurs in species which have widely variable sculpture or shape, vastly differing CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN JUNE 1982/No. 26 color forms and patterns, or juveniles which differ markedly from the adult form. Cymatium parthenopeum however, presents no such difficulties. The general appearance of the shell is remarkably similar among specimens, and the overall appearance is unmistakably unique to the species. So, one may ask, why all the confusion? The reason for the confusion about this species is its unique geographic range. This becomes apparent in a review of the nomenclatural history of the species? Cymatium parthenopeum was named by von Salis in 1793. He described the species from a specimen found off Naples, Italy. (He named the species after the city, the Greek name for which was Parthenopolis). What von Salis did not know was that fifteen years earlier, in 1778, the famous taxonomist Born had named the shell Cymatium (other generic names will not be used here to lessen confusion) costatum, presumably from a shell from South Africa. (Born's name is preoccupied by costatuwm Pennant, 1777, so parxthenopeum is used today.) In the eighteenth century, lack of communication between centers of biological research lead to the renaming of many species. In any case, it would not have been consid- ered likely that a species found in Europe would also be found some 5,000 miles away in Africa. This was only the beginning of the problem for this species. In 1811 Perry named Australian specimens Cymatium australasiae. Some thirty years after that (1842), Orbigny discovered the species in the Western Atlantic and named it Cymatium amertcanum. Later still, in 1849, Gould labeled the species Cymatiwm brassclianum, after a specimen from Brazil. The renaming of the species did not stop with the twentieth century. In 1939, Kuroda and Habe named Japanese specimens Cymatium echo. This evocative name is the one that has become the best known, despite its being 150 years too late for validity. As a result of this nomenclatural confusion, many of the current popular books on shells give conflicting or incomplete information about the species. Some books use invalid names, and no book has yet given the complete range of the species. JUNE 1982/No. 26 Dorsal and ventral views of a 135 mm specimen of Cymatium parthenopeum from Haiti. The periostracum was removed. CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 5 The unique distributional range of Cymatium parthenopeum actually covers ten marine faunal provinces almost in their entirety. Starting arbitrarily in the northwest Atlantic, one finds the species inhabiting the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The range extends southward around Florida and throughout the Gulf of Mexico, from the Carolinian Province into the Caribbean Province, where it is found from Bermuda, through the West Indies, on the east coasts of Central and South America to Bahia, Brazil, where it enters the Patagonian Province. The species exists in this province at least as far south as Uruguay, possibly into Argentina. Inetic Easter, Atlantic, the species appears as’ far north as Spain and Por- tugal in the Mediterannean Province. It is found throughout the Mediteranean, and along the North African coast to Senegal, where it enters the West African Province. Cymatium parthenopeum actually inhabits the entire coastline of Africa, in itself an accomplishment of very few molluscan species. Thus, the range extends through the tropical West African Province, the temperate South African Province, and the East African sector of the mammoth Indo- Pacific Province. From the Red Sea, the range continues eastward along the Arabian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf to the Indian subcontinent. Although phere 1s, littiesinrormation, to. veridy the | species' occurrence from East India to Indonesia, it is more than likely found there; oincany case. the, species: presence in the Indo-Pacific divide area is well documented. It is found here throughout the Japonic Province, south from Japan, Korea, and China through the East Indies to Australia’. ‘The species inhabits, the entire coastline of the continent of Australia, as well as most of Northern New Zealand, and the Kermadec Islands. Thus, the southerly, temperate Australian Province also falls within the species' range. The range next extends eastward across the Pacific Ocean.’ The species has been documented in Micronesia and Hawaii and further east, at Clipperton and the Galapagos Islands, the species enters the Panamic Province. It is found throughout this province from the south- ern Gulf of California to Ecuador. Crossing the Isthmus of Panama into the Caribbean Province, the range has extended around the globe. [con’t on page 6] PAGE 6 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN JUNE 1982/No. 26 ahd dA a Ga nna STUN Te NL LNRM Le Con’t from Page 5 This is a range which is unmatched by any other bottom-dwelling gastropod. Moreover, Cymatium parthenopeum is rather common throughout most of its range, with the exception of the Eastern Pacific, also, incidentally, the only area where it does not inhabit the temperate pro- vinces. It has never been recorded from the Californian Province, which is some- what surprising considering its range elsewhere, but it is not surprising that the species is not found in the Peruvian Province, as extremely cold waters pre- vail there. Why has this species been so enor- mously successful? Basically it is a very hardy species with a diet which is obviously not restrictive. Cymatium parthenopeum inhabits shallow to rela- tively deep water, and can survive equally well in rocky, sandy, or muddy environ- ments. Perhaps the greatest factor con- tributing to its success however, is its heroic: veliger stage. These veligers have been known to stay afloat in the plankton for months, longer than those of any other known species. At least one study has shown it to be the most abundant veliger in the plankton in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It is in this manner that the species has crossed the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Other shelled mollusks have achieved Similar or even greater distributions. Mytrlus edulis Linne, 1758, the edible mussel, which survives both tropical and polar conditions, has a range which is truly worldwide. Among the gastropods, Janthina janthina (Linne, 1758). the purple sea snail, has a range similar to that of Cymatium parthenopeum, but this species remains afloat during its adult stage, never in its life inhabiting the ocean floor. Thus, Cymatiwm parthenopeum is the bottom-dwelling gastropod with the greatest distributional range. Top: Cymatium parthenopeum from Italy, 140 mm. The periostracum has a crusty appearance in this specimen, and its hairy fringes have been worn off. Bottom: A Saudi Arabian specimen of Cymatium parthenopeum, 142 mm, with the periostracum removed. JUNE 1982/No. 26 By Richard Goldberg Cone shell fanciers will be delighted to see a new addition to the shell literature, entitled Cone Shells of New Cale- donia and Vanuatu, by Jean-Claude Estival, and published by Les Editions du. Pacifique. Thisyslick, hardcover, 126 page volume covers all of the known species of Conus from this area (Vanuatu was formerly the New Hebrides.) The book is profusely illustrated with over 35 high quality color plates, plus six more showing the living animals. The plates clearly show details of the species and are scientifically useful as well as aesthetically pleasing. Very fine specimens were used for the illustrations. ihedtext ofthe .book iis ‘in: both French and English; the English being easily separated by its italic typeface. The introduction briefly covers the history and biology of the family Conidae, and provides information on collecting, identifying, storing and displaying, photographing in the aquarium, and keeping live cones, along with a section on the poisonous cones from the area of coverage. Following the introduction are the color plates, with succinct write-ups of each species on the facing page. The genus and species names are in bold, readable type, and both authors and dates are included. The discussions include distribution, shell characteristics (sometimes animal characteristics too!), habitat, average Size, and, in many cases, nomenclatural comments. Frequently a number of variations are illustrated, especially of the endemic species (Conus cabritii, C. bouget, C. optimus, C. Lienarndi, C. marmoneuds vars. cnosseanus and suffusus). Conus Lamberti is also an endemic species, but no spec- imen was available for illustration at the time of printing. Instead, the color plate from the original description (Journal de Conchyliologie, Paris, 1877) was reproduced. In an addendum to the book, Estival confirms this rare species' CONCHOLOGIST'S OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE / existence in New Caledonia from a specimen collected by J. Doiteau. (See Rossiniana, publication of L'Association Conchylio- logique de Nouvelle-Caledonia, no. 11, ApYit¢P9sl, for an illustrationscrethis specimen.) The addendum also includes a few more updates, corrections of nomenclature, and additional species information, all of which make the book a valuable and current reference for collectors. There might be varying opinions on nomenclature among cone specialists, but Estival's version is quite good, and the excellent illus- trations allow the reader to form his own opinions on the identities of the shells. The photography of the six species of live Conus deserves mention: the photos all clearly show the foot, eye stalks, and Siphons. It's too bad all of the species couldn't be illustrated in this fashion! Cone Shells of New Caledonia and Vanuatu is highly recommended as an addi- tion to any conchological library. The suggested list price is under $20.00, and in this day of high printing costs, can be considered a real bargain. COA SCRAPBOOK Jay Tripp, our enterprising Secretary- Historian is preparing a Scrapbook for C.0.A. Anyone having pictures or other two-dimensional memorabilia is invited (that is, strongly urged) to send such to her at 212 Connecting Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228. If you can't bear to part with your photos, have copies made, or send the negatives which will be returned to you after they've been reprinted. BECOME FAMOUS Write-an. article, forthe, C,.0.A,«Bull- etin! One of the hardest jobs the editor has is getting together enough material to fill, each.issue. In previous. issues.of the Bulletin, many articles are anonymous. That's because they were written by the hard-working former.editor, Rich Goldberg, so he could get a complete issue to press. So, consider writing an article for the Bulletin. It can be long or short, colloquial or scholarly, funny or serious. The editor will proofread for you, take photos to illustrate your article for you; he'll even suggest topics if you're not sure what to write about. PAGE 8 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN JUNE 1982/No. 26 OPEN LETTER TO A me i YOUNG CONCHOLOGIST Dear James Russell White: I saw you recently at the Miyako Hotel, where you were attending the Ninth Annual Conchologists of America Convention. I am thirty-six years old, twenty- five years older than you, young man, and I never knew that shell lovers actually convened to discuss the objects of their adoration. I know that there are about 700 of you conchologists in your shell club, and I know that some of you deal them and some of you collect them and some of you just pick them up and put them back down. Babies are probably the most natural shell-collectors in the world, because their hands are their eyes, and you, just eleven years old, have begun to categorize them, study them, know them by their glorious names and flaming hearts, by their ochres and tans, by their symmetry, by the little pieces:of meat that’ live within them, the way an anthropologist knows the piece of meat we call man, knows him by his shell — by his surroundings, his houses, his clothes, his mortality. I know the love of shells runs in your family. I know that your father, James Seeley White, has written Seashells of the Pacific Northwest [Binford and Mort], and that your whole family — mother, father and sisters — dives into the dark waters of Oregon to pick the gorgeous prizes produced by the lowly snail. Who ever knew that a snail was any- thing but a snail, a creature on the bottom of the pools, a dung monster? Who ever would believe that a tiny oozing muscle could produce fragile lavender houses so stunning and peculiar that they take away your breath? Reprinted with permission from California Living Magazine of the San Francisco Sunday Examiner and Chronicle, Copyright (c.) 1981, San Francisco Examiner. I listened to your commentary as slide after-slide of ‘snail shehi i team the small ballroom of the hotel and the gloomy gray morning came alive in your words. I saw your slides of the roaring north Pacific, all gray and swirling, almost black and ungodly, and then I saw the slides of the snails living in that roar — dancing cylinders, shapes of man, of bird, of fish all caught up in the movement of clinging shell, the way trees can sometimes look like squirrels or fox or deer or the other animals who inhabit theix foreses. I learned about collectors who come to fish markets early in the day, because some of the prize shells might be wrapped up in the guts of a cod, or a flounder, or a halibut. I learned about the muscles that hold the shells together and the shells that hold the muscles together. I saw your younger sisters and they reminded me of children in the sea — youthful shells all pink-and shy, turning inwards and outwards, singing like wind, like water, like weeds. I know that members of your club come from Hawaii, New York, Texas, Oregon, Washington and from all over California, that there are members of your club from all over the world, all no doubt lovers of scallops and abalone — your father's favorite food — all with boxes of secret shells, shelves of points and stars and mottled twists, tables full of blushes. Cockles, cockles they sing. Snail eggs and snail coats. Snail colors man could never copy. And there you were, a skinny kid in a blue hooded sweatshirt and jeans, off to all the unusual places with your family, just another kid with another numbered jersey, just another kid with a mouth full of poetry and shell after shell of beauty in your memory. So I just wanted to thank you, because it's not often you walk into a dark room and come away full of light. Gratefully, Ina Kamin JUNE 1982/No. 26 WHO'S WHO IN COA by Jay J. Tripp, Pittsburgh, Pa. In this, the tenth anniversary year of the founding of COA, it seems fitting and proper that we should look back and acquaint ourselves with our small begin- nings. John R. Paduano of Newport, Rhode Island felt the need in June of 1972 to form an organization of all known shell collectors. He used the Petit Directory of Conchologists as a guide to interested people, and called a meeting to be held at the Newport Motor Inn for October 16, 1 7mand 4371972. In John's words, ''the response was not tremendous in numbers but great in enthusiasm.'' A total of eight people converged in Newport that October: Kirk Anders of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Mrs. Robert Armstrong of Westford, Massachu- setts; Carl Erickson of Auburn, Massa- chusetts; Dorothy and Robert Janowsky of Brooklyn, New York; Mrs. Bette Rachlin of Brookline, Massachusetts; Miss Mavis Walkup of Clovis, New Mexico... and John Paduano. For that very first banquet, which was "fit for a king," John had arranged for two speakers of note: Dr. Harold Snyder, Professor of Biology at Barring- ton (Rhode Island) College, and Dr. Nelson Marshall of the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceano- graphy. The first slate of officers elected for COA were: Mrs. Betty Rachlin, President Kirk Anders, Vice-President Dorothy Janowsky, Secretary- Treasurer These charter members voted to hold their second convention in Fort Lauderdale. * * * Yes, John R. Paduano, Founder of our organization, is alive and well and living in Golden Beach, Florida as a "Snowbird," but returns to beautiful Newport, Rhode Island for the summer months. John*began Ais ‘career in *the'Un'S. Navy in January of 1935. He's a veteran of World War II, and was recalled for active duty in September, 1950, during the Korean campaign. CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 9 He married the former Eleanor Lalli, a union which produced four sons: Michael, also a Navy man; Ralph, a major in the U. S. Army; and twin sons, John, Jr. and Anthony, both computer programmer analysts for the Internal Revenue Service. During his naval tours of duty on tropical shores, our founder began picking up seashells (as did many traveling mili- tary men) until, by his own admission, he owned the largest private shell collection in New England. it wastat this. point, June 1972yethat John Paduano decided to attempt to organize all known conchologists. How successful he was at this endeavor is now history. From the eight enthusiastic shellers who turned up at the Newport Motor Inn on October 16, 17 and 18, 1972, our membership has grown to more than 700 strong at present. John retired from the Navy in 1971 at the age of 55. Not content to rest on his achievements, he subsequently served as a State Representative in the Rhode Island General Assembly for four years: 1976-1980. In which field will our John Paduano next excel? * * Kirk Anders, COA's first vice- president, and the group's second presi- dent, is well-known to most of us as the affable, wide-smiling owner of Fort Lauderdale's Shells of the Seas, Inc. Kirk is also known as a leader of shelling tours, and as such, has traveled almost two million miles. Before arriving at this successful point, many things happened. Kirk's first involvement with seashells began in the early 1950's, in northern California, where his parents fished and their four or five year old son beach-combed for shells. His father being in the textile business, Kirk's family had lived in every state except four by the time he was 15. Wherever he lived or vacationed, his interest in shells increased. As a junior in high school in 1961, at about age 17, our subject started his own shell business as a means of paying for his college education. Later, at the University of South Florida, he worked as Personal Assistant to the Head Cashier, * [con't on page 10] PAGE 10 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN JUNE 1982/No. 26 Con’t from Page 9 and developed his shell dealership on weekends. In 1965, with a parental investment of $500, Shells of the Seas, Inc. was born. Kirk aimed to provide always accurate and complete locality data and to sell only high-quality specimens. Four years later, Kirk graduated from the University with a B. A. in Education and enough credits for a degree in Marine Biology. During this ;time, Kirk's entire inventory of shells (originally contained in one small 30-drawer chest), expanded to the present three buildings, totalling well over 1,000 square feet of brimming cabinets, almoste5,000 different species and hundreds of thousands of specimens. For the next three years, Kirk taught Oceanography and Marine Biology in a Fort Lauderdale high school, leaving only to form’the "Tours" ‘section of his corporation in 1972. This successful venture grew from a first trip to Cozumel with only Kirk and his parents in the group, to six customers on the second Crip, Six tours, offered the next year, and upward in both number of tours and larger .croups ever Since, This year neue add Thailand, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Florida Keys to his itinerary. Kirk's recent attempt to’ rssuera shell magazine was a smash hit with the shell world, but ran into financial problems, among them the increasing cost of good color work and printing. Kirk credits two people, in addition to his parents, with having the greatest effect on his life and career: Dr. Eugene Clark, a prominent ichthyologist, with whom he worked on a National Science Foundation experiment at Cape Haze Marine Laboratory; and Mrs. Amy Phares who had an outstanding shell collection, and was instrumental in supplying the specimens for the Warmke and Abbott book, Caribbean Seashells. Kirk visited Mrs. Phares monthly to trade. She also traded shells with the Emperor of Japan, and passed one of these historical specimens to Kirk as a gi ttt Kirk says, '' When we [COA] first met in Newport, Rhode Island, just those few years ago, we only dreamed of the organi- zation building. itself into ‘what it is now, with hundreds of members, and the most enjoyable conventions of any shell organization. My only regret is that we only “get?to Uo rt once “a*yearm We say "'Hear! Hear!, Kirk,"'' and look forward to your continued involvement with COA! Jay Tripp is Secretary-Historian for C.O.A. In future issues of the Bulletin she will continue her "Who's Who in COA" series with articles on Dorothy Janowsky, the first Secretary-Treasurer of COA, and on Tom Rice, the organization's third President. C.O.A. “Grand Trophy” 1981 (And Participating Shows) Robert Foster and Charles Glass won the C.0.A. Grand Trophy at ''The West Coast Shell Show, 1981" with their display entitled Cowries. They exhibited nearly 200 species including Cypraea fulton, barckayi, valentia, teremachtii, kuroharat, armmeniaca, and crauickshanki. They also won the "Shell of the Show"'' trophy for a specimen of the remarkable Homatocantha anomakiae Kosuge, 1979. The show was sponsored by the Santa Barbara Malacological Society. It was held from Friday, September 18th through Sunday the 20th at the Fleischmann Audi- torium of the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum. The judges were Dr. R. Tucker Abbott, Ruth Greenberg, and Carole Heitz, editor of Festivus, the publigarion of the San Diego Shell Club. Robert and Charles are co-chairmen for next years show, ''The West Coast Shell Show, 1982," and preparations are already underway. The dates are Saturday and Sunday, October 2nd and 3rd. Write for details to: West Coast Shell Show, Box 30191, “Santa >Barbaray. CA s9SiG5e * * * Another Grand Trophy winner was Cora Staples, for her exhibit Worldwide Collec- tors Items at the North Carolina Shell Club Show. The show was held on 23-24 October, 1981 in the Independence Mall, Wilmington, North Carolina, and was judged by Dr. Abbott. Mrs. Staples also won Shell of the Show with a specimen of Mitra hekenae Radwin & Bibbey, 1972, in addition to the Dupont Award! JUNE 1982/No. 26 * * * The winners of the C.0.A. Grand Trophy at the 17th Annual Shell Show of the Oregon Society of Conchologists were Bob and Ginny Zeller with their exhibit Volutacea, a Superfamily. Their display showed how the classification of shells is done, breaking down the superfamily into families and describing the charac- teristics common to members of each of the families. It included specimens of the families Olividae, Vasidae, Harpidae, Mitridae, Volutidae, Marginellidae, and Turbinellidae, each shell named and with data. A glossary of terms was part of the display. The Zellers have two sons, Bobby and Scott. Bobby is interested in shells and has become a serious student of malacology. About five years ago, his interest and enthusiasm brought all four members of the family into the Oregon Society of Conchologists, where they have been con- sistent winners in the Shell Shows. Faye Rathbun, Shell Show Publicist Bob and Ginny Zeller receiving the C.O.A. Grand Trophy at the 17th Annual Shell Show of the Oregon Society of Conchol- ogists, for their exhibit Volutacea, a Superfamily. Maxine Hale is presenting them with the trophy. CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 11 Con’t from Page 12 Busycon contrartium (Conrad, 1846) and PLeuroploca gigantea (Kiener, 1840) — our Lightning Whelk and Florida Horse Conch — don't occur in the Bahamas. Instead there are, and we found our share of, Turbinella angulata (Lightfoot, 1786), the Chank or Xancus Shell, and the Triton's Trumpet, Charonia variegata (Lamarck, 1816). The natives have no common names for these large but less common shells, but they call small shells ''whelks" no matter what species. They call Stiombus gigas Linnaeus, 1758 not "Queen Conch" as we do in Florida, but justPplain “Conch. ¥ > They call, jour King Helmet, Cassis tuberosa (Linnaeus, 1758), "Queen Conch."" So much for common names! We found practically all the more common shells that occur in both Florida and the Bahamas, maybe with slight area variations. There were three species or more of chitons, tooth shells, limpets, and periwinkles — so plentiful that. Beanie Sawicki gathered some for shell show use. There were Thats, Purpura, Oliva, Latiuws, Leucozonta, Teguka, Columbekla, fresh-dead pink or yellow edged Codakia, and much, much more. We collected or noticed Arca, Astraea, Lima, Tellina, Bulla, and Marnginekla. We salvaged Laevicardium and Asaphis from refuse piles at the beach, but found none alive for our specimen collections. Bea Winner and I searched diligently but could find neither Natica nor Polinices, not even a dead one in a drift. line. So, you can't always predict what . you're going to find, or what collecting conditions will be like. Some groups found Milk Conchs and others did not; some found Carrier shells and Apple Murexes which others did not. One group could not swim all along one shore due to strong winds, high waves and surf. The group of seventeen had calm weather and shelled both shores. You too. may go to Eleuthera and find different conditions. Just enjoy what you find, even if it isn't what you had your heart set on finding. The people will treat you well, they are friendly and soft-spoken and wave to you on the road. I think nearly everyone knew us, where we stayed, and where we came from. DON'T FORGET! - Fill in the Pre-Regis- tration Form in this issue. Attend the Convention! Help Celebrate Our Anniversary! PAGE 12 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN JUNE 1982/No. 26 ELEUTHERA .... SEVERAL TIMES by Corinne Edwards, Coconut Grove, FI. Several shell clubs in Florida have recently run shelling trips to Eleuthera in the Bahamas. One thing collectors can learn from these trips is never to expect to find the same species of shells, or the same quantity of any one species when revisiting a known area. The time of year, the barometer, the winds, and the tides all can make a big difference, as the experiences of the several groups will show. Mary Lou Pugh's Jackonsonville Shell Club group of five, and the Miami Shell Club group of six both made Eleuthera trips. Jacksonville found no Strombus costatus Gmelin, 1791 (Milk Conchs) while Miami found beautiful ones by the hundreds in early November. They were close to shore at almost every beach or rocky shore we visited. On a Miami Shell Club trip in early August with seventeen shellers, it was different. Close inshore we found only a few live Milk Conchs, and they were very old, with blackened, thick lips, and blackened parietal walls. There were lots of dead ones. Beverly Riviera, our Field Trip Chairman, reported that in deeper water there were plenty of live, lively Milk Conchs. They were laying eggs in long thread-like strings, pale yellow in color. These strings sort of clump up, and were free of sand, so three of our group took small amounts for study. As usual, the shallow water was thick with ‘broken Milk Conch shells where natives, in the season when the mollusks are close to shore, had smashed the shells and taken the bodies for food. When a group from the Palm Beach Shell Club went to Eleuthera, they found high waves and rainy weather, but I gasped in amazement to see Mari Hughes' eight big, frilly, yellow-apertured Murex pomum Gmelin, 1791. On our group of six trip, only a pair of Apple Murex had turned up until Bev went out into deeper water bent on finding her own (and did). On the Miami trip in August, most of us found one or two of these beautiful Murex. Mari also had Lace Murex, but not like the few big brown ones Mary Karwowski found, nor the cruddy one I took. Mari's were light tan and mid way in size between our big.ones and some tiny, tiny (dwarf?) ones we found in a mucky, ikky area. [Dwarf-like Fasciolaria tultpa (Linnaeus, 1758) were there also.] The light tan shells seemed more like our south Florida subspecies, Murex florifer dilectus A. Adams, 1855, and not like the darker, larger Bahamian true Lace Murex, Mutex sLortfer Reeve, 1846. Off the airport, the Palm Beach four harvested big, ugly but fascinating Carrier Shells, Xenophora conchylLiophora (Born, 1780). I don't think any of our group of seventeen found any there. One of Mari's had attached perfect little Rose Coral (Manictnia areokata) when young, and pro- gressively larger perfect pieces as it grew. Another Carrier Shell from this area had progressively larger chips of cement for its shell decoration; perhaps they came from the airport boat ramp where cement was poured down over the rocks. On the August trip, ten year old Andy Dickson found five giant Carrier Shells right in front of our rooms, which faced the town beach. They had full-sized Chione cancel- Lata (Linnaeus, 1767), the Cross-barred Venus, attached at the last go around. We had avoided shelling there because of the boats coming ashore to sell fish and lobster, and because of the refuse strewn there, such as lobster heads and fish guts. Cittarium pica (Linnaeus, 1758), mostly salvaged from the native's refuse piles, were all small, about an inch and a half across. We seldom saw any larger ones such as we used to see at South Bimini (before the Sunshine Inn closed) or those on all three Cayman Islands (Grand, Little, and the Brac). The Baha- mians make a delicious black "Whelk Stew" from these mollusks, so maybe this West Indian Top Shell is being overfished for food and not allowed to grow to full size. [con’t on page 11] VOLUME 10, No. 3, SEPTEMBER 1982 (27) Fig. 1. Sanibel beach was just a stones throw away from the convention room. Meeting breaks found many collectors beachcombing along the shore. All photos by Richard L. Goldberg. Fig. 2. Checking out auction selections before the recordbreaking auction. Generous donations and spirited bidding made this C.O.A.’s most successful auction. THE C.0.A. SANIBEL SOJOURN OF 82 R. TUCKER ABBOTT In what proved to be the most successful convention in the ten-year history of the Conchologists of America, over 200 enthusiastic shell-collectors revelled in four days of shell talks, shell shopping and shell collecting. Sanibel was certainly an ideal place to hold the 10th anniversary meeting, and despite the warmth of those mid-July days, the cool mornings and comfortable quarters of the Sundail Beach Resort made the gathering of the shell clan a delightful reunion. C.O.A. members could not have asked for a finer series of illustrated talks on shells varying from travelogs to Okinawa and the Philippines to ventures into the “Kingdom of the | Land Shell” and vistas of “Pretty Pectens”. Archie Jones of Miami took us back into the early days of Liguus tree-snail hunting, while Charlie Hertweck of Venice, Florida, let us view the fossil wonders of Florida of 30 million years ago. While some lectures offered an intimate review of such (continued on page 8) PAGE 2 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN OF AMERICA, INC. Collective Devotion To osuave.s) ie: SY 010,0,0,0.0.0.0 areteseteratetatateratatatateta aratetetetatcretetetetetatets 0-0-0-0-0-0-0.0. Pos Pete” oneneneee. | In 1972, a group of shell collectors saw the need for a national organization [BS devoted to the interests of shell collectors. Thus, CONCHOLOGISTS OF BR AMERICA, INC. was formed — for amateur collectors interested in the [RS beauty of shells, their scientific aspects and the collecting and preservation of [i mollusks. The membership includes novices, as well as advanced collectors, (i scientists and shell dealers from around the country and world. An annual met convention is held each year in a different part of the country. cee OFFICERS President: Richard H. Jones; 1432 Dorsh Road, South Euclid, Ohio 44121 Vice-President: Richard Forbush; 1104 Sklar Dr. E., Venice, Florida 33595 Secretary/Historian: Mrs. Jay Tripp 212 Connecting Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228 Treasurer: Clair Stahl 3235 N.E. 61st Ave., Portland, Oregon 97213 Membership Chairperson: Phyllis Pipher 1116 N Street, Tekamah, Nebraska 86061 Trophy Chairperson: Anne Joffe 1163 Kittiwake Circle, Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 BULLETIN STAFF Editor: Charles Glass Box 3010, Santa Barbara, California 93105 Managing Editor: Robert Foster Box 3010, Santa Barbara, California 93105 The BULLETIN is an official publication of the CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA, INC, published quarterly in March, June, September, and December. We invite you to submit any shell related items for inclusion in the BULLETIN. Address all BULLETIN correspondence to the EDITOR, Box 3010, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. MEMBERSHIP DUES INDIVIDUAL (per year) $7.50; FAMILY (receiving one Bulletin) $10.00; OVERSEAS (Air Mail Postage) $10.00; Send check or money order to the TREASURER (address above); ***Any other membership problems should be addressed to the MEMBERSHIP CHAIRPERSON, Phyllis Pipher, 1116 N Street, Tekamah, Nebraska, 68061. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE The C.O.A. now starts its second decade. The first decade ended in a spectacular fashion with the recent convention at Sanibel. The beginning of the new decade looks great. Bob Foster and Charlie Glass have taken over the editing and publication of the Bulletin. Their previous experience in this field bodes well for the future of the Bulletin. They can use all the help they can get in the form of articles. If you have a subject you would or could write about, drop them a line. They are waiting to hear from you. The establishment of the Gerrie Walklet Scholarship Fund is a first in this area for the C.O.A. It is a fitting tribute to Gerrie. Directed contributions for this fund, which will go to help some aspiring malacologist, are most welcome. The dues were raised. This was a necessity. While the club is currently in sound financial shape, an increase in dues was necessary to keep it there. At the start of the second decade a fair question is: what can the C.O.A. do for you? What features would you like to see in the Bulletin? What projects similar to the C.O.A. (continued on page 10) EDITORIAL We plan to make rare use of this column, but this being the first bulletin published and edited by us, we feel that a few words of introduction are in order. We have been collecting shells since 1973 and have a large and general collection. In 1981 we purchased the stock of Seashell Treasures in Oak- hurst, California and conduct a mail order shell business under the name of The ABBEY, Specimen Shells. Since 1965 we have been editing and publishing the Cactus & Succulent Journal of the Cactus & Succulent Society of America, a bi- monthly publication. Since 1968 we have conducted a mail- order book business specializing in horticultural books, parti- cularly books related to succulent plants, under the name, Abbey Garden Press. Abbey Garden Press was founded in 1929, and the press, specializing in garden books, had its office in the Abbey San Encino in Pasadena, California, hence the puzzling name. Besides the C.O.A., we are members of the Hawaiian Shell Club, the San Diego Shell Club and the Santa Barbara Malacological Society for whom we have chaired various of their West Coast Shell Shows. As to our relationship to the C.O.A. Bulletin, we are pleased and enthusiastic to be involved with this enterprise. Undoubt- edly there will be changes, but we plan to make these changes relatively gradually. Among the first changes we envision are a change in size and format of the bulletin for reading convenience and economical use of paper, but having often been frustrated by publications which change their format in mid-year, in consideration of those members who have their bulletins bound, this change will probably be made at the end of the current volume. Adoption of the volume system is the main change we have instituted to date. This being our 10th anniversary as a national organization, we are designating the current year’s issues as Vol. 10; the Sept- ember issue should have been the third of the year, so we are designating it No. 3, even though no No. 2 was published. At the suggestions of your President and Membership Chairperson, respectively, we are initiating 2 new features: a “trading post” for members who wish to exchange shells, but as Dick suggests, “an exchange column with a twist -- ex- change of fairly common shells rather than rare shells. I have answered too darn many exchange ads where all people are looking to exchange are super-rarities. This type of exchange leaves most of our members out”. The other item is a listing of members who welcome other members to visit their collections. Phyllis has volunteered to start this one off by inviting any members who happen to be passing through Tekamah, Nebraska to visit! Mr. & Mrs. Bernard T. Pipher, 1116 N Street, Tekamah, Nebraska 68061, just 40 miles north of Omaha, phone: (402) 374-1818 (office: 374-2771). Inter- ests: Cones, Murex and Volutes (and other pretty shells. . .but very few cowries). The only other change planned for the present is to accept advertising related to the hobby and science of Conchology. We consider that the specimen shell dealerships are an important element of the hobby, and that accepting advertis- ing is not only a service to our membership but it enables us to produce a larger and better publication without increased cost to the members. We hope to win your support not by our words but by the quality of your publication. To achieve the desired quality we need your help, in contributing material to the Bulletin and in encouraging your friends and associates to join our group. The Editors VOLUME 10:3 | | : | SEPTEMBER 1982/No. 27 C.0.A. GRAND TROPHY Winners Central Florida Shell Show, March 1982 | winner: Peggy Williams display: “‘Self-Collected Suncoast Shells” __ Mrs. Williams from Sarasota, Florida began collecting shells at | the same time that she took up SCUBA, about 8 to 9 years ago, and since then her interest has showballed. She has dived mostly in Florida and the Caribbean and her collection is entirely self- collected. Her specialty is photographing shells while they are | still alive, and she maintains a salt-water aquarium with many | molluscs. Her exhibit was 21 feet of shells arranged according to habitat and collecting method. Mrs. Williams is past-president of | the Sarasota Shell Club. The 1982 Broward Shell Show, Feb. 5-7, 1982 | winner: Gene D. Everson display: “Worldwide — Self-collected”’ | This 4th C.O.A. Grand Trophy won by Mr. Everson went to his | exhibit consisting of 9 cases containing self-collected shells from the U.S., Mexico, Costa Rica, Bonaire, the Bahamas, Guam, | Okinawa, Australia and the Philippines. A backdrop presented illustrations of four methods of collecting: SCUBA, beach- | combing, snorkeling and dredging. L.LS.C. Show _ winner: Fred Cannon display: ““The Shell — Art in Nature” | Mr. Cannon, from. Brooklyn, New York, started collecting in high school in 1956. He is an interior designer and working with _ color and pattern gave him the inspiration for his display which consisted of 5 cases featuring Color, Pattern, Shape, Texture and | Nature’s Goofs. Mr. Cannon is currently serving his fourth | consecutive term as president of the New York Shell Club. |The Georgia Shell Club’s 4th Annual Georgia Shell Show, March 12-14, 1982 winner: Peter Maltese ‘display: a 7 X 8 ft. plastic dome with approximately 1500 pounds of coral, 47 spondylus, 22 cowries (including Cypraea fultoni, C. leucodon, C. broderipii, C. teramachii and C. valentia!) and | various pectens, volutes, olives and cones. | Mr. Maltese spent 9 hours setting up the display but “seeing the happy people around (it) made it all worthwhile”. His display also ‘took the People’s Choice Award. CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 8 Fig. 1. One of C.0.A. Grand Trophy winner, Fred Cannon’s 5 cases, this one featuring “Color” in shells, at the L.LS.C. Show. We invite show chairpersons to take advantage of the shell world’s most desirable trophy, the C.O.A. Grand Trophy, by applying to our new Chairperson of the Trophy Committee: Ann Joffe, 1163 Kittiwake Circle, Sanibel Island, Florida 33597. Due to lack of space, the other winners will be featured in the December issue. Greater St. Louis Shell Show, 1982 winners: Denver D. and Rosanna Howlett display: ““Land and Tree Snails’ The Howletts’ exhibit included 168 different species of land snails in six cases running 17 ft. Panels behind the cases included photographs of live tree snails and descriptive information. The Howlett’s are charter members of the Indianapolis Shell Club and have both served as officers of the club. Mrs. Howlett collects general//worldwide shells but specializes in land snails; Mr. Howlett’s favorite is the genus Lambis. Fig. 2. Peter Maltese’s award-winning display at the Georgia Shell Club's 4th Annual Georgia Shell Show. “apg emmme i, PAGE 4 SHELLS IN PRINT RICHARD L. GOLDBERG Over the last 8 to 10 months, there has been a flurry of newly described species in various scientific and popular publications which may be of interest to collectors. Below is a capsule outline of some of these sp. nov. and their respective publications for your further investigation. Volume 96, Number 3 of The Nautilus (July 26, 1982), has a description of a new species of Busycon from the eastern United States. Busycon laeostomum Kent, 1982, is a large, sinistral species collected off-shore along the Atlantic coast between southern New Jersey and northern Virginia. It has been referred in the past to a sinistral form of B. carica, or as B. contrarium. Kent shows it distinct from the two former species through morphological studies. He concludes that prior to 1967 no specimens of B. laeostomum appeared to have been in museums, and that the availability of live- collected specimens recently made it possible to differentiate these three species. Volume 30, Part 6 of the Journal of Conchology (November 1981), scientific publication of the Conchological Society of Great Britain & Ireland, has descriptions of two new species from Masirah, Oman, Arabia. Kathleen R. Smythe and June E. Chatfield have described Fusinus (Sinistralia) gallagheri and Bullia rogersi from material collected during two expiditions of the Royal Air Force Ornithological Society to Masirah, and from material in the collection of Dr. D.T. Bosch. F. gallagheri is the fourth species added to this subgenus of odd but naturally sinistral Fusinus. It is compared to other members of the subgenus and other dextral members of the genus Fusinus. At the time of publication no live specimens were collected, but subsequent to the description’s release this author has seen live-taken specimens in circulation. The species was named for Mr. M.D. Gallagher who collected and donated specimens to the author. The second species described in this paper, Bullia rogersi was examined only by Smythe. It has been found only from the Masirah area and is compared with Bullia tranquebarica and B. tahitensis, both of which appear in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea. The species is named for Mr. T.D. Rogers who brought the new species to the author's attention. The Bulletin of Malacology of the Republic of China, published two papers in 1981 describing a new species of Conus and a new sub-species of Murex. Volume 8, pp. 11-13 contains the description of Phyllonotus superbus problem- aticum Lan, 1981. The auther states the sub-sp. nov. is distinguished from the nominate form of P. superbus by its numerous sharp spines recurving upward and backwards, and possessing tiny scabrous varices on each whorl, among: other differences discussed. Its type locality has been designated as Bohol, Cebu, Philippines, in 300 meters depth. It is also mentioned from deep water off N.E. Taiwan. The new sub- species is also related to Murex elliscrossi. In Volume 8, pp. 15-17, of the Bull. Malacol. R.O.C., is the description of Asprella pseudorbignyi Rockel and Lan, 1981. This species is related to other Conus species -- Asprella orbignyi, Endemnoconus ichinoseana, and Conasprella comatosa. The type locality is off N.E. Taiwan and also known from the central Philippines. Fifteen new species and two new sub-species of Conus were described in Publicacoes Ocasionais Da Sociedade Por- tuguesa De Malacologia (#1, 1982). The newly described CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 10:3 Conus include: C. episcopatus da Motta (type locality is Mahe Island, Seychelles); C. auratinus da Motta (Fakarava Is., Tuamotu Archipelago); C. quasimagnificus da Motta (Khor Fakkau, Gulf of Oman); C. textile neovicarius da Motta (Sharem-el-Shech, Gulf of Aqueba); C. textile dahlakensis da Motta (Kahlak Archipelago, off Massawa in Red Sea); C. rubropennatus da Motta (Reunion Is. Indian Ocean); C. patonganus da Motta (Raya Is., Phuket, Thailand); C. skinneri da Motta (Nusa Tenggara, Bali, Indonesia); C. krabiensis da Motta (Raya Is., Phuket, Thailand); C. kantanganus da Motta (Kantang, Thailand); C. samiae da Motta (Balut Is., Phil- ippines); C. fulvobullatus da Motta (trawled off east coast of Malaysia); C. gabelishi da Motta & Ninomiya (Great Australian Bight -- Esperance/Albany area); C. orri Ninomiya & da Motta (Solifor Point, Bojol Is Gambia, West Africa); C. gracianus d Motta & Blocher (Grand Recif, Tulear, Madagascar); C. lenavati da Motta & Rockel (Punta Engano, Cebu, Phil- ippines); and C. garciai da Motta (Punta Patuca, Honduras, to Caratasca Key-Caribbean). In two concurrent issues of Carfel Philippine Shell News 5 new species of Conus are described from the Philippines. Volume 4, Number 2 (March-April 1982) has the description of C. rogmartini da Motta. The author states that he can find no equal to this species in its highly intricate sculptural form and unusual coloration. The type locality is Balut Island. It is named for Roger Martin of Cebu. Volume 4, Number 3 (May-June 1982) of C.P.S.N. has the descriptions of four new Conus by A.J. da Motta and R. Martin. C. cebuganus is compared with C. australis and C. laterculatus. The type locality is Visayan Sea, between Malapascua Is., and Bantayan Is. and northward in 20-40 fathoms. C. leobrerai is compared with C. alabaster, C. mucronatus, C. arcuatus, and C. subulatus. Its type locality is the same as the previous species. It was named for Fely & Charlie Leobrera. C. lapulapui named for the national Filipino hero, Lapu-Lapu, is compared with C. memiae, C. eugram- matus and C. wakayamaiensis. The type locality is as before. C. pseudokimioi is compared with the very similar C. kimioi and juvenile specimens of C. hirasei, with which Habe & Ito previously compared C. kimioi. The type locality is Siquijor Island, Mindanao Sea. C. pseudokimioi is described as a subspecies of C. kimioi. A new Oliva from the Sulu Sea, Philippines was described in La Conchiglia (The Shell) No. 158-159/May-June 1982 by A.J. da Motta. Oliva vicdani is compared to O. multiplicata, O. australis, O. richerti and young specimens of O. flammulata. Furthermore, da Motta states that its rosy-vermillion colora- tion cannot be matched with any other known species. It is named for noted shell collector/dealer, Victor Dan. O. vicdani is only known from its type locality near Zamboanga, Mindanao Island, in the Sulu Sea. “A New Lyria from the Philippines” describes Lyria (Lyria) dondani as a new species, in La Conchiglia - No. 160- 161/July-August 1982. Authors M. Angioy & G. Biraghi re- ceived specimens of this shell from Victor Dan, who requested that the species be named after his brother, Donald Dan of Chicago. It is compared with other recently named Lyria from the western Pacific -- L. vicdani, L. grangei, and its closest relative, L. habei. The type locality is generally the Gulf of Davao, in approximately 300 meters of water. (continued on page 10) —— : th aa i —————————— a treat ee eee SEPTEMBER 1982/No. 27 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN Figs. 1-17, 1) Conus pseudokimioi da Motta & Martin, 1982; 2) Conus cebuganus da Motta & Martin, 1982; 3) Conus lapulapui da Motta & Martin, 1982: 4) Conus leobrerai da Motta & Martin, 1982; 5) Conus samiae da Motta, 1982 - Holotype pictured, 57.5mm; 6) Conus gabelishi da Motta & Ninomiya, 1982 - paratype; 7) Phyllonotus superbus problematicum Lan, 1981 - Holotype, 77.8mm; 8) Asprella pseudorbigny Roéckel & Lan, 1981 - Holotype; 9) Conus episcopatus da Motta, 1982 - Holotype, 82mm; 10) Conus garciai da Motta, 1982 -Holotype, 59mm; 11)Conus krabiensis da Motta, 1982 - Holotype, 45mm; 12) Lyria (Lyria) dondani Angioy & Biraghi, 1982 - Holotype, 64mm; 13) Conus textile dahlakensis da\Motta\1982 -Holotype, 87mm; 14) Oliva vicdani da Motta, 1982 - Holotype, 27.3mm; 15) Bullia rogersi Smythe, 1981 - Holotype, 20.5mm; 16) Fusinus (Sinistralia) gallagheri Smythe & Chatfield, 1981 - Paratype, 19.6mm; 17) Conus rogmartini da Motta, 1982. [photos from the respective publications, and reproduced here by the author]. PAGE 6 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 10:3 CALIFORNIA SEASHELLS PART I: CERATOSTOMA (MURICIDAE) CHARLES GLASS & ROBERT FOSTER In this series of articles we would like to acquaint you with the more interesting shells to be found along the coast of California, particularly in intertidal and moderately shallow depths, and briefly to describe their habitats. Our information is derived chiefly from the experiences of over 250 SCUBA dives in California waters and observations of a large, salt- water, invertebrate aquarium over a period of several months. In general, the cool waters of California do not yield the great variety or beauty of form and color that can be found in warmer waters. There are several exceptions, however. Rather surprisingly, we have one representative each of four genera which are usually associated with more tropical waters, name- ly Cypraea, Conus, Mitra and Latiaxis. And for beauty of form some of the California species of the family Muricidae vie favorably with the most outstanding species of this group from anywhere in the world. The number of species of Muricidae, or the Murex Family, to be counted from California depends upon how liberal or conservative your taxonomic philosophy is, and which author- ity you choose to follow, but there are over fifty recognizable entities occurring in this region, whether you choose to regard them as species, subspecies or forms. They range from interesting to exceptionally beautiful. Vying for the distinction of most elegantly beautiful of California Murex shells is unquestionably Ceratostoma foli- atum (Gmelin, 1791). In fact, the only thing that isn’t beau- tiful about this exquisite species is its prosaic common name, “The Leafy Hornmouth’”, a literal translation of the Latin name! The genus Ceratostoma was proposed by Herrmannsen in 1846 for the species, Murex nuttalli Conrad, 1837. The generic name refers to a long, stout tooth or horn on the outer marginal lip of the aperture, “cerato” meaning “horn” and “stoma”, “opening” or “mouth”. Murex foliatus and other species were later added to the genus. The use of this tooth is interesting. In the aquarium we have observed “Hornmouth” shells patiently waiting outside a mussel or other bivalve, like a cat outside a rodent hole, its horn or tooth poised at the aperture, and as soon as the bivalve opens a bit, the “Horn- mouth” shoves its horn into the aperture, like a persistent salesman with his foot in the door, preventing the bivalve from closing again, and then proceeds to extend itself into the other shell and devour its prey. The range of C. foliatum is given from Santa Cruz Island in Fig. 1. A white form of Ceratostoma foliatum from San Miguel Island, Santa Barbara Channel Islands. Fig. 2 (below). C. burnetti from Korea, a close relative of C. foliatum. Photos: The Abbey, Specimen Shells. moderately deep water (25 to 70 meters), to shallow, subtidal depths in Alaska. A species which is remarkably similar in appearance, C. burnetti, occurs in Japan, Korea and the eastern U.S.S.R. and it is tempting to speculate that at one time they may have represented the extreme forms of one variable, wide-spread species. The maximum size of the spe- cies, C. foliatum, is given as 110 mm or a bit over 4 inches, Fig. 3. A striped form (below, left) of C. foliatum and (below, right) a dark form, both from San Miguel Island. The dark color is a beautiful, rich purplish brown. SEPTEMBER 1982/No. 27 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 7 Fig. 4. Detail of the laminations on the underside of the varix wing of C. foliatum. Each of the approximately 25 layers is laid down separately and the whole process takes about 5 weeks — after the initial layer of the varix is produced! but the finest specimens are rarely over 80 mm. The south- erly form from deeper water is far more delicately beautiful with exaggerated varical wings than its stubbier, northern counterpart. The shell color is basically pure, alabaster white but quite variable, often with yellowish brown or nch purplish to reddish brown shading, banding or mottling. We have found one specimen with egg-yoke yellow on the body whor!! There are corded bands on the body whorl which, together with the thin, broad, flaring, undulate wings give this species its exceptional quality. Egg laying has been reported for C. foliatum in Washington state in late February and early March. We have observed egg-laying clusters or “pods” of several dozen shells each off Santa Barbara, California in early January. This was in 45 feet (about 15 meters), shallower than one is supposed to find this species in the southern portion of its range, in crevices of rocky reefs off the southeastern corner of San Miguel Island, one of the areas where we have found our most handsome specimens. We have also found specimens in only 22 feet of water at Cuyler Harbor, San Miguel Island, in about 65 feet of water on Talcott Shoals off the northwestern corner of Santa Rosa Island, near Bee Rock off the southwestern end of that island and even on low reefs in about 80 feet of water off the Santa Barbara harbor. We have heard reports of C. foliatum from Begg Rock off San Nicolas Island and even near Punta Banda, Baja California which, if accurate, would be a con- siderable extension of the range. Shells we have collected on the breakwater of Monterrey Harbor are generally consider- ably smaller and could be mistaken for C. nuttalli, also they were mostly an orangey or yellowish brown. Freshly collected specimens are typically heavily encrusted and require a minimum of an hour or so of hard work to clean. We have occasionally collected specimens which were in the process of growing a new varix. These we have put in the aquarium for them to complete their growth cycle. They can add up to a centimeter of shell to the body whorl in 2 or Fig. 6. A side view of C. nuttalli showing the characteristic horn or tooth. The shells pictured in fig. 5 show the obsolete teeth from previous varices. 3 days, but laying down the dozens of layers of laminations that comprise the leafy varix wing has taken several weeks during which time the shell stays virtually motionless, half buried in the sand or gravel and clinging to rock or glass. The dissolving of the old varical wing is also a relatively slow process (as is the final touch of finishing the aperture and building up the horn or tooth). Many of us don't stop to think that for a winged shell such as the Murex, in order to build a new varix whorl, the animal must also dissolve the old one which now stands in its way! The other species of the genus represented in California waters is “Nuttall’s Hornmouth” or Ceratostoma nuttalli (Con- rad, 1837). It fares rather poorly in comparison with its elegant cousin, but exceptional specimens may occasionally be found for which no apologies need by made! It is a smaller shell than C. foliatum, the maximum size given as 70 mm, (but 60 mm is an exceptionally large shell!) and the winglike extensions of the varices are less exaggerated. There are various distinctive forms which have been named but they are rarely recognized taxonomically and all forms may be found (continued on page 10) Fig. 5. Five forms of Ceratostoma nuttalli: (from left) the “typical” dark brown and honey-tan forms, the banded albofasciatus form, the pure white albescens form and the wingless form (Sowerby’s M. monoceros). Photos from The Abbey, Specimen Shells. SANIBEL SOJOURN: cont. from page 1 colorful families as the miters, other talks, such as Bea Winner's on gastropod egg masses demonstrated how advanced and interesting a biological subject could be researched by an amateur. An average attendance of over 150 members at each talk attested to the success of the programs. The latest in new shells coming from far-away oceans and new books on conchology were on display by dozens of dealers. The Dealers Bourse was a brilliant display of. spec- imens, shellcraft, shell paintings and shell books spread through five conference rooms. Some table tops resembled museum displays, and many members enjoyed seeing such an array of interesting specimens, outstanding books and works of shell art. What conchologist could come to Sanibel and not roam the beaches and pick up shells? Planned field trips seemed unnecessary; and one trip by boat to the Pine Island mud flats produced more rain and mud than shells. But diversions were offered by a guided tour through the Ding Darling Sanctuary, a conservation refuge named after the well-known cartoonist. Equally interesting was a lecture on the Sanibel-based save- the-turtle operation known as “Caretta Research”. Half the fun of a convention are the opportunities to renew old friendships and make new friends. A lovely welcome cocktail party, hosted by the Sanibel-Captiva and Sarasota shell clubs and a sumptuous banquet given the last day broke the ice for many new members. It seems that everyone pitched in to make the meeting a grand success. Sue Stephens and Anne Joffe of Sanibel, together with our Pres- ident, Ruth Greenberg, guided, cajoled and humoured the participants of the convention through the complex of activi- ties. The usual late registrants, unexpected banquet guests and misplaced projectors could not upset the well-planned and beautifully executed meetings. Marty Lerner and Al Deynzer engineered the exciting auction that netted the C.0.A. over $2,000.00. Mili Backus, local publicity chief, arranged TV and newspaper coverage. From the Hertwecks and the Palm Ridge Florists came banquet favors and table arrangements. The meetings were a grand success and a pleasure to attend. Florida shellers accounted for most of the record attendance, but collectors from Brazil, Canada and Hawaii came too. The C.O.A. is growing and maturing. It has a useful place in the shell world and will contribute to the health and enjoyment of our hobby of conchology. CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN Fig 3. (left) Convention chairperson Sue Stephens opens the convention VOLUME 10:3 with some announcements. Over 225 people registered for the conve tion —the largest turn out at the annual event. Fig. 4. (right) C.O.A.’s nev president to start its second decade is Richard A. Jones, of Clevelan Ohio. i Fig. 5. Convention chairperson Sue Seohen addresses the banquet. The! guest speaker was Dr. R. Tucker Abbott. i Fig. 6. Dr. R. Tucker Abbott shows C.O.A.’s youngest? member, 2 year ol¢ Daniel Sigler the proper apesiigy to collect beach drift! i] Fig. 7. John Lewis of Lisle, Illinois places his bid on one of over 200 lots of shells auctioned off during the auction. A standing room-only crowd attended the event. Fig. 8. (right) Local television news covered the auction, of which a short feature appeared on their late-night news that evening. Fig. 9. Auctioneer Martin Lerner along with Sol Weiss from New York moved the auction along at a fast pace. The auction was dutifully organized by Al & Bev Deynzer of Sanibel. Fig. 10 (below) Donald Young of Treasure Is., Flordia won the raffle shell at the auction — a beautiful Mitra helenae, donated by The Abbey Specimen Shells. AUCTION NOTES -- 1982 The specimen shells auctioned at the Tenth Anniversary Meeting of the C.O.A., Sundial Beach Hotel, Sanibel Island, . Florida were donated by members of the C.O.A. and by many shell dealers located throughout the USA and overseas. We | urge our members to patronize these dealers and we express il our thanks and appreciation to all members and dealers who i have been so generous in their contributions to make our 1982 auction the most successful to date. i DEALERS: The Abbey, Specimen Shells Box 3010, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 Brooksmans - H.M. Cater & Sons 1 PO Box 49, Booval. 4304, Queensland, Australia 1 Easlands Shell Cabinets 5803 Fernhill Drive, Orlando, FL 32808 Cypraea Nut Hut ) Box 313, Westport Pt, MA 02791 | Richard Goldberg | 49-77 Fresh Meadow Ln., Flushing, NY 11365 Richard M. Kurz, Inc. 1575 North 118th St., Wauwatosa, WI 53226 Elsie Malone 2422 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957 (| Morrison Galleries PO Box 15011, Sarasota, FL 33579 Shamaron Shells 229 West 2nd St., Deer Park, NY 11729 i The Shell Factory ) PO Box B-B, Ft. Myers, FL 33902 Edward T. Schelling P.O. Box 68, Shalimar, FL 32579 Shelloak 129 Blackjack St., Forrest Hills, Brookville, FL 33512 Showcase Shells 1614 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957 Tidepool Gallery 22762 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, CA 90265 INDIVIDUALS: Etta Green, Ft. Myers, FL Kermit Pearson, Cape Coral, FL Bernard Pipher, Tekamah, NE Olive Schoenberg, Hawaii Sue Stephens, Sanibel, FL Jay Tripp, Pittsburgh, PA LaVerne Weddle, Ft. Myers, FL PAGE 10 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 10:3 PRESIDENT'’S MESSAGE: cont. from page 2 awards could and should we become involved with? What can the C.O.A. do to make shell collecting a better hobby? Do you have ideas? Let us hear about them. The C.O.A. is your organization! Your ideas will help it grow. Good shelling! Dick Jones, President MESSAGE FROM YOUR OUTGOING PRESIDENT As Past-President of the C.O.A., I want to thank everyone on the executive board for their ever-ready assistance, advice and moral support, given during a year of difficult decisions. It was a long way from San Francisco, California to Sanibel, Florida - especially since we tried to go by way of Cozumel, Mexico! To those who were disappointed that we were unable to meet in Cozumel, I want to say, don't give up hope - someday the C.O.A. will be able to put together a super- duper, tropical island, shell-collecting convention. . . .when we find a tropical island with an active shell club ready to act as host! To those who joined us in Sanibel for the biggest and best convention we have ever had, I want to say thanks for your enthusiasm and participation - and a special thank you to all the Florida members whose hospitality made 1982 a memorable year. Ruth Greenberg CALIFORNIA SEASHELLS: cont. from page 7 growing together on the same reef. In 1841 Sowerby des- cribed a Murex monoceros which is now merely accepted as an interesting form without the varical wings. In 1919 Dall named the banded brown and white form albofasciatus and the pure white form albescens. The “typical” form is tan or honey-brown to dark brown. The range for C. nuttalli extends from Point Conception to Santa Maria Bay, Baja California. We have generally found it in shallow depths, from 10 to about 50 feet, near Santa Cruz, Catalina and San Clemente Islands and near the coast near Santa Barbara and on the breakwaters of the L.A. Harbor, almost always on rocks. SHELLS IN PRINT: cont. from page 4 Some new books to be looked to in the future are, Abbott & Dance’s Compendium of Seashells (to contain over 4,000 species of marine shells, illustrated in color -- due out sometime in the fall according to Dr. Abbott); word from Brian Parkinson in Papua New Guinea is that he has finished a book on land shells -- no particular details, but I'm sure land shell enthusiasts will eagerly await its arrival; on the topic on land shells -- Dr. Abbott will have a new book out in the future called Kingdom of the Land Shell, based on the format of his Kingdom of the Seashell. Although not particularly an identification guide, Abbott says it will give a complete introduction to the terristrials. Dr. Pat Burgess’ updated version of The Living Cowries will contain photographs of the animal, something never before compiled in one book. With the great number of revisions in this family since the first edition of his Living Cowries, I’m sure this will stand as one of the more important shell books published in the 1980’s. Shells of the Philippines is soon to be published by Carfel in the Philippines. The book will feature many of the newly named Philippine species, plus other fantastic & rare shells according to a note in the Carfel Philippine Shell News. WHO’S WHO IN THE C.O.A. JAY TRIPP C.O.A. Secretary/Historian The “tree” grew in Brooklyn and so did Dottie Janowsky and her husband Bob. They married and will certainly live happily ever after, since they became one of the youngest rare shell collectors-dealers in the world, with their Mal de Mer Enterprises. Dorothy Janowsky, the first Secretary-Treasurer of the C.O.A., is a lady of many interests -- seashells, cats, turtles, blooming plants, opera, ballet, and primitive art -- not neces- sarily in that order. Dottie matriculated at Brooklyn and Hunter Colleges in New York City. Before the onslaught of invertebrate mal de mer, she developed a career as a buyer for two retail stores; Saks, and Abraham & Strauss. Next, she became a “shopper” for shells at Veronica Johns’ Seashells Unlimited; from then until now the prognosis for her seashell sickness is “incurable”! Mal de Mer Enterprises has recently become a full-time way of life for the family Janowsky, and they have moved their base of operations to West Hempstead, N.Y. They are so motivated toward beauty and flawlessness in all specimens they handle, that a great percentage of incoming shells are returned to their source as being sub-Janowsky standard. One of the recently-described Murex beginning to appear on the market is a small pink and gold gem, Favartia dorothyae Emerson & D’Attilio (“Six New Living Species of Muricacean Gastropods”, The Nautilus, Jan. 1979, Vol. 93, No. 1). The holotype is from the Janowsky collection and is named in honor of Dottie. “If anything, our love for shells has increased over the years, but I can enjoy them as temporary--/rather than per- manent--/residents of our cabinets! My collection now consists of anything that particularly appeals to me because of color or beauty of form, and is constantly changing, as I add new or give others away.” We further quote Dottie, “I'm delighted at the growth of the C.O.A. over the past years -- it has come a long way from the small group of us who began it. I see an even greater growth potential in the future as more and more people become captivated by the beauty and fascination of shells”. The C.O.A. will continue to grow, and it will be the direct result of enthusiastic, willing, long-term supporters such as Dottie and Bob Janowsky. OF SEA AND SHORE There was much speculation at the C.O.A. Convention concerning the fate of Of Sea and Shore. We spoke to Tom Rice, editor and publisher and he assures us that the next issue will be out shortly and, despite the inevitable and regrettable gap in that popular publication, he hopes soon to catch up with the back issues and return to the regular publishing schedule. SHELL SHOWS The Coastal Bend Shell Club will be host to the Texas State Shell Show this year. It will be held on October 30th and 31 at the Bayfront Plaza Convention Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Judges will be Dr. R. Tucker Abbott, Myra Taylor and Dr. Jean Andrews. In addition to the C.O.A. Grand Trophy, the Texas, Shell of the Show, Self-collected Shell of the Show and du Pont trophies will be awarded. For additional information write Peter Vaky, 3307 San Antonio Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78411. Show committees for variotis organizations are invited to send us information about their local shell shows. CONC \OF AMERICA HOLOGISTS. ey 1 bo ; BULLETIN ‘SHELLS IN PRINT _ RICHARD L. GOLDBERG | LATIAXIS CATALOG & ILLUSTRATED CHECK LIST OF CORALLIOPHILIDAE FAMILY by Phillip W. Clover The Coralliophilidae or coral shells is one of the more ' confusing families taxonomically, but despite this confusion | has been a favorite with collectors. So many diverse scientific | publications have dealt with members of the family over the years that tracking them down would be a full time job. Mr. | Clover, feeling the need to compile all of this information | into one neat compact publication, undertook such a venture. | The result is the Latiaxis Catalog, Clover states in his intro- duction that in no way is this to be considered a “monograph” | of the family, but an illustrated catalog based upon D’Attilio’s _A Catalogue of Coralliophilidae published in the San Diego Shell Club’s newsletter, The Festivus (Vol. 10 - October 1978). | Clover has illustrated in black & white all of D’Attilio’s ‘names with either original photographs, or from illustrations ' from the original descriptions. He has also taken a “middle-of- the-road” stance relative to nomenclature, and has listed the original designated genera, even though they might be invalid or not even belonging to the Family Coralliophilidae; but the ‘latest one in use for the species. Also listed are localities, |sizes, and a few short notes on either color, sculpture, |synonymy, similar species, etc. The species that without a doubt fall into synonymy, are not illustrated and referenced to their valid names. | Latiaxis Catalog is useful in that it has updated Mr. D/Attilio’s listing, and is a handy reference when trying to |place a name on a coral shell. Unfortunately the user must make up his or her own mind as to the validity of the listed generic name. None-the-less, I highly recommend Latiaxis Catalog as a first reference when identifying the Coral- \liophilidae. The catalog costs $10.00, and is available through \Mr. Clover, P.O. Box 83, Glen Ellen, CA, 95442. As an addi- tional note: for those who do not have the D’Attilio paper, I would suggest it as a companion reference to Latiaxis Catalog, as it lists where to reference the original descriptions. Clover ‘has listed references only for species not included in D’At- itilio’s listing. You can write to San Diego Shell Club, 3883 Blackburn Ave., San Diego, CA, 92111, to inquire about costs ‘and availability. Fig. 1. Latiaxis santacruzensis Emerson & D'Attilio, a 44 mm long specimen trawled in 200 m on 5/81, Santa Cruz, Galapagos. Fig. 2. (below) Latiaxis celinamarumai Kosuge, a 55 mm long speci- men taken in gill nets in deep water off Balut, Philippines. Shells from the Glass & Foster collection. CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 10:4 In 1972, a group of shell collectors saw the need for a national organization PX devoted to the interests of shell collectors. Thus, CONCHOLOGISTS OF &% AMERICA, INC. was formed — for amateur collectors interested in the § beauty of shells, their scientific aspects and the collecting and preservation of [BR mollusks. The membership includes novices, as well as advanced collectors, § scientists and shell dealers from around the country and world. An annual BRR convention is held each year in a different part of the country. OFFICERS President: Richard H. Jones; 1432 Dorsh Road, South Euclid, Ohio 44121 Vice-President: Richard Forbush; 1104 Sklar Dr. E., Venice, Florida 33595 Secretary/Historian: Mrs. Jay Tripp 212 Connecting Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228 Treasurer: Clair Stahl 3235 N.E. 61st Ave., Portland, Oregon 97213 Membership Chairperson: Phyllis Pipher 1116 N Street, Tekamah, Nebraska 86061 Trophy Chairperson: Anne Joffe 1163 Kittiwake Circle, Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 BULLETIN STAFF Editor: Charles Glass Box 3010, Santa Barbara, California 93105 Managing Editor: Robert Foster Box 3010, Santa Barbara, California 93105 Ral The BULLETIN is an offical publication of the CONCHOLOGISTS OF mx] AMERICA INC, published quarterly in March, June, September, and December Bea by Abbey Garden Press, 1675 Las Canoas Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Bee] Second Class Postage pending at Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Postmaster: send faq address changes to Abbey Garden Press, box 3010, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. MEMBERSHIP DUES INDIVIDUAL (per year) $7.50; FAMILY (receiving one Bulletin) $10.00; OVERSEAS (Air Mail Postage) $10.00; Send check or money order to the TREASURER (address above); ***Any other membership problems should be addressed to the MEMBERSHIP CHAIRPERSON, Phyllis Pipher, 1116 N Street, Tekamah, Nebraska, 68061. re Serta = - 5 aecrcsaeaeaeaeaes Waser aMassPatatacucctecsescotecececoracscereracscsrasecscerecsecrereccesrorerecesesecers aa, ren esac on REPORT OF C.O.A. BUSINESS MEETING The Tenth Annual business meeting of Conchologists of America was called to order by President Ruth Greenberg on July 17, 1982, Sundial Beach & Tennis Club, Sanibel Island, Florida at 1:30 P.M. A motion was presented and passed by the membership to forego the reading of the Minutes of last years’ meeting. The Treasurers’ report was read by Treasurer Clair Stahl: Monetary Assets as of September |, 1981 - $2,452.93 Monetary Assets as of July 1, 1982 -$4,115.93 The Shell Auction of September, 1981, Myaka Hotel, San Francisco, Calif. netted $2,150.50. The Shell Auction, July, 1982, Sundial Beach & Tennis Club, Sanibel, Fla. netted $2,663.00 The Treasurers’ report was accepted by the Auditing Committee, consisting of Richard Jones, Charles Hertwick, et al. The Membership Committee report was presented by Vice-Pres- ident Bernard Pipher. He reported our membership is currently near 700. The Trophy Committee report was presented by R. Tucker Abbott. A total of 21 trophies were given this year -- one each in London, Florida, Texas, Oregon, Indiana, Long Island, etc. Dr. Abbott voiced an appeal for a Florida member to assist him in giving out trophy booklets. The Nominating Committee, consisting of Bernard Pipher, Mar- garet Teskey, and Stewart Armington, presented their slate for the year 1982-83: President - Richard Jones Vice-President - Richard Forbush Secretary - Jay Tripp Treasurer - Clair Stahl Dr. R. Tucker Abbott moved that the nominations be closed and the presented slate accepted unanimously. Membership so voted. President Ruth Greenberg discussed the recent problems in pub- lishing our quarterly Bulletin. The current editor, Gary Rosenberg, is unable to continue. The new editors were announced as being Robert Foster and Charles Glass of Santa Barbara, California, who are greatly experienced in publishing this type of organ. Dr. R. Tucker Abbott will head our Publications Committee. A suggestion from the floor was made to publish a current roster of members. This is in the process of being executed. . President Ruth Greenberg opened a discussion in reaccepting advertising ads in future issues of the Bulletin. She asked for authoriza- tion from the membership. A general discussion ensued regarding not allowing the ads to cut into article space, and also that the integrity of the advertisers be checked out. Peggy Williams moved that we allow advertising, and the motion carried. (cont. on page 8) WHO’S WHO IN C.O.A. | Our current president, Dick Jones, is a charter member and past-president of the Cleveland (Ohio) Shell Club. He’s been — an active member of the C.O.A. for a number of years. Dick is employed as a Process Consultant for Standard Oil Co. (Sohio). For the last 38 years, he has been a Process Engineer designing refineries and chemical plants, in addition — to doing design work on the Trans-Alaska Oil and the pro- | posed Alaskan Gas pipelines. | A true “mid-westerner’, Dick was born in Highland Park, } Michigan, a Detroit suburb, and graduated from Michigan State University. His manner emphasizes this in his relaxed, “laid-back” personality and his wry sense of humor. | Dick and his wife Bobbie (Roberta) have three children: two married daughters and a son at Northern Arizona Univer- sity in Flagstaff. { Since becoming enamored of seashells 15 years ago, Dick and Bobbie have visited all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom, and have travelled to such diverse areas as the Bahamas, U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Mexico, Gulf of — California, Hawaii and the Florida Gulf coast and Keys, Texas, | and here and there in our Atlantic coastal states, seeking — shells. | The Jones shell collection consists of mostly self-collected . western Atlantic specimens, along with a current emphasis on the family Cypraeidae. Dick has an especial interest in © morphological variants, particulary dwarf Cypraea. His love of | the cowries is followed distantly by Strombus and Oliva. Dick compiles and publishes a list of minimum and maximum © Cypraea sizes from time to time as data becomes available. He welcomes any and all aid in this endeavor. | Dick’s back-up hobby is stamp collecting. : Our President feels that the C.O.A. definitely has some- | thing to offer to all levels of shell collecting and further of malacology. JAY TRIPP C.O.A. Secretary/Historian } | i} believes the organization can contribute greatly to the science | CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN Fig. 2. Morum macdonaldi Emerson & D’Attilio, the newest and tiniest of the morums; this 17.3 mm shell was taken live by Jeanette Hammon in February of this year crawling in the open at night in 60 ft., oceanside of West Reef, west of Kwajalein, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. SHELLS FOR THE AMATEUR C. GLASS & R. FOSTER _ Fig. 1. Homalocantha anomalieae Kosuge, a remarkable, relatively new species reminiscent of an H. anatomica made of wax and pulled and } twisted almost out of recognition! This 50 mm specimen was taken in § deep water by gill nets off Panglao, Bohol, Philippines. as 7 r e i es ae ee — Fig. 4. Falsilyria kotorai Petuch, a handsome new species from off the coast of northeast Honduras, this 83.4 mm specimen was trawled in 36 m. It is very reminiscent of Petuch’s F. morrisoni and Voluta demarcoi. Figs. 5 & 6. Astraea girgyllus Reeve. The exceedingly ornate, 63.5 mm | specimen pictured below left (fig. 5) was collected in deep water off Fig. 3. Colubraria tortuosa Reeve, like a prototype for the S.S.T., this Davao, Mindanao in the Philippines. The more typical, 59.3 mm zarre, 47.5 mm shell was found in the same general area as the specimen pictured below, right (fig. 6) was taken in tangle nets in )morum, but in only 30 ft. deep water off Bohol. PAGE 4 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 10:4 LITTLE WINDOWS INTO WONDERLAND DEBORAH G. WALTON New Zealand On the southwest coast of New Zealand’s North Island there is an exposed piece of rocky coastline called Pukerua Bay. It was a cold and wintery day that I chose to go exploring amongst the rocks for some shells for my collection. The intertidal zone at Pukerua is seldom left fully dry as the tide retreats and tidal pools remain containing tiny communities of plants and animals. I spent little time looking for mollusks in the highly saline pools of the littoral fringe; these pools show the greatest of diurnal extremes as they are met by the tide only a few times each month. Subsequently the life existing in these pools is not truly marine. Further down the shore within the mid-littoral zone are many pools containing marine animals and plants that thrive in the less sun-warmed waters. Rockpools provide a window into a world that is otherwise hidden from us. Apart from the quick spasmodic movements of small fish there are many organisms that find refuge in the fine algae growths and seaweed that lives attached to the rocks. Corallina officinalis is common in these pools along with Hormosira banksii. It is the predominantly coralline pools such as those found at Pukerua that also harbor an abundance of small red, green and brown algae. When you look into the rockpools you can clearly see that the corallina creates a multi-layered habitat. Corallina is the food of our common Catseye Turbo smaragdus (Gmelin), amongst the coralline growth I found T. smaragdus at every stage of growth, from the very small through to the half- mature green spirally ridged shells and the dark, smooth adult specimens. Very common under ledges and in crevasses were the Thaididae. These carniverous gastropods were represented by the white Thais orbita (Gmelin) and the dark Haustrum haustorium (Gmelin). T. orbita was exceptionally common and appeared to live on the surf barnacle, Eliminus plicatus, for although it’s generally a mussel feeder there were no mussels in any great quantity to be found on this piece of coastline. The large patellid Cellana radians radians (Gmelin) was common within the littoral and sub-littoral fringe where it grazes in patches clear of the larger algae. . .many of the cellana had dull brown ralfsia growth on their shells. This limpet, often called the “Radiate Limpet”, is found through- out New Zealand; the young shells tend to be boldy patterned but the spots and markings on their shells vanish with age and weathering by the sea. The silver interior becomes cloudy while the outside can vary in color from white to reddish- brown. I also pried several other subspecies from the rocks during the afternoon: Cellana ornata (Dillwyn), a beautiful limpet from the upper tidal zone with its upper surface covered in a pattern of lines and raised dots and Cellana strigilis redimiculum (Reeve), a thick, strongly sculpted shell in midbrown tonings. Where there are limpets there always seem to be chitons and Pukerua was no exception. I found many fine examples of these fascinating shells, that are as common on the surface of rocks as on the underside, although they were represented by differing species in each case. Lifting up loose rocks I found many Amaurochiton glaucus (Gray), a common green chiton with a narrow girdle, small overlapping plates and faint radial striations. The color of these chitons can vary from olive, yellow-green, blue-green to a brown shade. To keep a record Hormosira banksii Thais orbita Melagraphia aethiops Corallina officinalis LF Littorina unifasciata antipodum PUKERUA BAY Eliminus plicatus DECEMBER 1982/No. 28 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN of the color variation found within this species. I collected several specimens which I treated when I got home that night. A. glaucus was once considered to be peculiar to New Zealand but I read that it has established itself in the Derwent Estuary in Tasmania and it is quite common there. I believe that there is nothing more beautiful than the opalescent hues of an empty Haliotis iris (Gmelin) glinting beneath slightly wind-rippled water. The local population had obviously been “Paua” gathering and had discarded the empty shells. The H. iris is herbivorous; it lives on seaweeds and that makes for the animal a high protein meal if eaten. I also found some excellent specimens of the Haliotis australis (Gmelin), a silvery-hued shell with strong corrugations. Shells like the Melagraphia aethiops (Gray) abound on the rocky shore. These shells aren’t very colorful but there are so many of them that they are a characteristic of the shore in this particular area. It is our most common topshell and it grazes on open surfaces in the barnacle and splash zone. The shell seldom reaches more than an inch in height and is a dull puplish-gray to black color. M. aethiops moves about freely in the rock-pools and is quite at home on rock surfaces in the moist spash zone where it feeds on organic particles which become caught in crevices. There are several members of the Trochidae that are very well represented on this part of the coastline including the “Periwinkle”, Littorina unifasciata antipodum (Philippi), a small snail with a big name! The shell is a small and sharply conical one with each whorl white with a blue band below. It has a very close fitting operculum and can subsequently live out of the water for up to weeks at a time. The animal is very tolerant of the sun and I found that in many cases the shells that lived furthest up the shore were the biggest specimens although it was these that had the most eroded shells. Down where the T. smaragdus feed on Capophyllum and brown kelp, I could see several small Cookia sulcata (Gmelin) which, like the T. smaragdus, are members of the Turbinidae. C. sulcata is a very heavy conical shell of gray coloring. It has a heavy operculum of a shelly material that resembles por- _ celain. The adult C. sulcata lives below the low water mark, | its shell usually heavily encrusted with limey growths. Along | with the immature C. sulcata of the intertidal rocks, I also found many live specimens of Lepsiella scobina (Quoy & Gaimard) and Lepsiella scobina albomarginata (Deshayes). These are both shell boring whelks that you can find any- PAGE 5 hundreds and is a predator of mussels, oysters and barnacles. The shell is about 3 cm long, gray and roughly sculpted. The aperture is chocolate brown and white lipped. Algae of rockpools provide a good habitat for many organ- isms both sessile and mobile. It does not dry easily between tides and provides anchorage, shelter and algal tissue for feeding. Corallina officinalis and Hormosira banksii, 2 of the most common algal types found at Pukerua Bay, provided a home for many of the shells that I collected that day. I found that many of the shells were badly eroded by small boring organisms and encrusting growths, especially the C. sulcata where it must be almost impossible to find an adult shell in perfect condition. These shells seem to attract a thick limey deposit. The fine, wrinkled, web-like sculpture on the shell provides too good an anchorage for these growths. Its relative, T. smaragdus, is also hard to obtain in perfect condition as the spire in adult specimens is easily eroded by wave action. The Echinoidea are so well represented on the rocky coastlines of New Zealand that I will mention them now. The sea-egg, Evechinus chloroticus, lives from well below the sublittoral fringe right up to the coralline pools of the mid- littoral zone, their size ranging from the very small right up to 11 cm adults. These urchins live in cracks in the rocks and under ledges or concavities and their spines have an abrasive action that enlarges their abode. E. chloroticus has long, sharp, green spines; amongst these are the brown tube feet that give the urchin a firm hold or can be used to attach small bits of shell and pebble to it for camouflage. The sea urchin grazes on corallina and other algae with very strong jaws. E. chloroticus seems to me to be overtaking some areas of the N.Z coastline in plague proportion, although its concentration in Pukerua Bay does not appear to be too bad at this stage. It was common for a shell to be found harboring a hermit crab rather than a mollusk. The shells that appeared to have grown legs had become the residence of the common Pagu- rus novaezelandiae. It has strong walking legs and was often the inhabitant of the heavy Thais orbita. Apart from the molluscan life to be found in the tidal pools, there were also many other diverse life forms. Underneath rocks and stones there were the tubes of the worm Pomato- ceros caerulus, the worm hidden from view awaiting the next high tide. Small sponges, sea anemones and many crustacea abound in these pools. . . .all in all making for an interesting look into an underwater community. where there are barnacles covering the rocks. L. scobina is the smallest and most common of the Thaididae. It is found in Adequate housing is apparently a problem everywhere these days. A hermit crab was found taking up residence in a discarded _ Vick’s bottle! The WHAT’S-IN-A-NAME Department Otohime, or Princess Oto of the Sea, according to Japanese mythology, inhabited “Dragon Castle” at the bottom of the ocean. A _ befriended turtle took the fisherman, Urashiman, on a magical three day voyage to visit Otohime. On his departure Urashiman was | given a box by the princess with the instructions that he was never to open it. Upon his return to his world he found everything subtly changed and recognized no one. He disobeyed the princess’s instructions and opened the box whereupon he was engulfed by a cloud of smoke which transformed him into a gray, wrinkled, exceedingly old man. His 3 enchanted days in Otohime’s realm were | the equivalent of many ages in his normal home. Both the princess and the fisherman are commemorated in the cones, Conus | otohimeae and Conus urashimanus! PAGE 6 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 10:4 C.0.A. GRAND TROPHY WINNERS Fig. 1. Bernard & Phyllis Pipher with their C.O.A. Grand Trophy Texas State Shell Show, Oct. 29-31, 1982 winners: Bernard & Phyllis Pipher display: Lyropectens Phyl and Bernie Pipher of the Tekamah Shell Club need no introduction to C.O.A. members! Their prize winning exhibit on the genus Lyropecten presented the bivalves displayed in “butterfly form” above a mirror so that all sides were visible. Included was an enormous Lyropecten magnificus which had taken “Shell of the Show” in the 1974 show in Santa Barbara, CA. . . .it received the same award at this Corpus Christi show! The Piphers also won the duPont trophy for a 42 foot display of world-wide cone shells. Fig. 2. Pat Bingham is presented with the C.O.A. Grand Trophy by Show Chairman Norris McElya at the Greater Miami Shell Club’s 20th Annual Show. Greater Miami Shell Club’s 20th Annual Show, Jan. 28-31, 1982 winners: Dick and Pat Bingham display: “Story of the Caribbean Murex” The Binghams’ award winning, 30 foot long display explained copulation, spawning, egg masses and anatomy of the Caribbean murex and included X-rays showing internal structure and a model of the living animal of Murex pomum. The Binghams, from North Palm Beach, Florida, have been collecting Caribbean murex for the past six years. 1982 West Coast Shell Show, Oct. 2-3 winners: Robert Foster & Charles Glass display: The Murex Family Mssrs. Foster & Glass are the editors of the C.O.A. Bulletin and this is the fourth consecutive year that they have won the C.O.A. Grand Trophy. The display covered one whole table and consisted of one large display case and two smaller ones, with a total of 275 Muricid shells. The same team also won “Shell of the Show” trophy for their Perotrochus adansonianus and the “Judges’ Special” for a double case display of “Tritons & Frogs”. Glass also won the duPont and Sara Delaney Memorial trophies for his “Self-Collected Southern California Shells” display. The judges were William Old, Anthony D’Attilio and Cid Derry. The show featured over a hundred individual entries. Fig. 3. Thelma and William Shaw, winners of the C.O.A. Grand Trophy for their exhibit, “Cone Shells — The Living Conidae” at the Southwest Florida Conchologist Society Shell Show. Southwest Florida Conchologist Society Shell Show, Jan. 1982 winners: Thelma & William Shaw display: ““Cone Shells — The Living Conidae” 15 large cases extending for 37 feet made up this exhibit with approximately 550 specimens of 410 species, subspecies and varieties. The Shaws started getting involved with shell collecting soon after moving to Flushing, New York, on New Year's Day, 1974 when a friend took them to a local beach. They really got hooked, however, after Mrs. Shaw found a Junonia on the beach in Sanibel one winter. They became shelling addicts, patrolling local beaches and occasionally visiting the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, Antigua and even Cuba! Mr. Shaw states that as long as he can walk he'll be a sheller and that as long as they have an extra dime — or rather dollar — his wife will be a shell collector! 35th Annual St. Petersburg Shell Show, Feb. 25-28, 1982 winner: John Hoft Jr. display: “Seashell Expedition” Mr. Hoft, a young lawyer from Tampa, Florida displayed self- collected material from Florida and the Caribbean. The show included 47 shell exhibits and 13 shell-craft exhibits. _ DECEMBER 1982/No. 28 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLITIN PAGE 7 Fig. 5. Lee and Kay Easland with their prized C.O.A. Grand Trophy at the Astronaut Trail Shell Show. Astronaut Trail Shell Show, Jan. 15-17, 1982 winners: Les & Kay Easland display: “Family Pectinidae Rafinesque, 1815” “ 4. “aise honey eae display their C.0.A. Grand Trophy The Easlands are from Orlando, Florida. The show was held at Seer ov their exhibit at the Naples, Florida Shell Show. Kiwanis Island, Merritt Island, Florida, and included 35 Naples, Florida Shell Show, Feb. 19-21, 1982 exhibitors with 360 running feet of displays. winners: Chip & Edie Chippeaux display: “Bahia de Panama, Self-collected” This second C.O.A. award for Mr. & Mrs. Chippeaux went to their display consisting of twelve 19 X 25 inch cases running 19 feet. The shells were divided into three categories: taken at night, in the daytime and while dredging for scallops. The Chippeaux became interested in shells in 1955 while he was in the military and stationed in Panama. Upon their return from Panama they made several shelling trips to Florida, Sanibel and the Keys, then moved to Florida in 1969, to Fort Myers. Other than Panamic and Caribbean shells, they specialize in Strombidae. Sarasota Shell Show, Jan. 29-31, 1982 winner: Dick Forbush display: ““How Seashells are Collected” Mr. Forbush, a new Florida resident, presented several methods of obtaining shells, from trading to deep-water dredging. His display was one of 41 scientific and 24 artistic competitive entries. NOTE: Apply for the C.O.A. Grand Trophy for your local show by writing to Anne Joffe, 1163 Kittiwake Circle, Sanibel Island, FL 33957. Fig. 6 Dick Forbush with his award in front of his prize-winning display at the Sarasota Shell Show. C.O.A. Grand Trophy winners or shell show chairpersons are invited to submit information about winning exhibits and photographs for possible inclusion in | the Bulletin. Please include stamped, self-addressed envelope if pictures are to be returned. DARWIN REVISITED A husband was overheard explaining to his wife that the Nautilus was descended from a tree, as he examined the display of live nautilus at the Honolulu Aquarium. The unintentional eavesdropper, highly perplexed by this remark - to say the least - went over to _study the display to see what could have given the fellow that idea. On the side of the aquarium there was an exhibit with the title, | “Nautilus Family Tree”. 4 I PAGE & CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 10:4 BUSINESS MEETING: cont from page 2 The subject of a dues increase was opened. Phyllis Pipher asserted that our current dues do not cover expenses. A general discussion followed, and it was decided to increase the annual dues to $7.50 individual, $10.00 family, and $5.00 overseas. After October 1, 1982, new members will receive the 3 months remaining in 1982, plus all of 1983. President Greenberg reported the recommendation of the Exec- utive Committee to establish a Gerrie Walklet Memorial Scholarship Fund in the amount of $500 to be awarded annually to a graduate student in malacology. The money would be invested annually until the fund is self-sustaining. A motion was made and seconded, and immediately voted affirmative, without any discussion. A Scholarship Fund Committee will be appointed by the president. A touching eulogy to Gerrie Walklet was read by Bernard Pipher. The locations for future meetings was then discussed. In order to encourage shell clubs to host the C.O.A. annual meetings, it was suggested that a list of specifications be printed in the Bulletin; the summer months being preferred by most members. Martin Lerner gave a brief discussion on field trip possibilities other than shell collecting, such as museum trips, sight-seeing, etc. He emphasized that every city has many possibilities. It was announced that the attendance at this meeting was around 210 -- our largest meeting to date. Martin Lerner then rose to thank Sue Stephens, Chairman of Local Arrangements, the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club, and the Sarasota Shell Club for the magnificent arrangements for the meeting. The President of the St. Petersburg Shell Club welcomed the membership for the 1984 annual meeting in his city, and the meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jay J. Tripp, Secretary ADDITIONS TO MEMBERSHIP ROSTER FOR 1982 (and inadvertent omissions) BARBARA LEE BARFIELD P.O. BOX 651, LYNN HAVEN, FL 32444 ALBERT & BEVERLY DEYNZER 1614 PERIWINKLE WAY, SANIBEL, FL 33957 DENVER & ROSANNA HOWLETT 3507 WHITCOMB, INDIANAPOLIS IN 46224 RICHARD M. KURZ, INC. 1575 NORTH 118TH ST, WAUWATOSA, WI 53226 RICHARD & RUTH MIKKELSEN 120 W 7TH AVE., CUDJOE GARDENS, SUMMERLAND KEY, FL 33042 FRANCISCO MORALES AAPO 284, COZUMEL, Q. ROO, MEXICO WALTER E. MURRAY 102 MINER ST., HUDSON, PA 18705 SELMA RASKIN 12851 EVANSTON ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90049 JAMES B. RODGERS JR. 5707 CORSO DE NAPOLI, LONG BEACH, CA 90803 KATHERINE M. WEILER P.O. BOX 7308, MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29577 ADDRESS CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS SUNI CABRERA COND. LAGUNA GARDENS, EDIF. III. APT. 4-L, ISLA VERDE, PR 00913 RICHARD & JANE FORBUSH 1104 SKLAR DR. EAST, VENICE, FL 33595 MAVIS WALKUP 401 E 5TH, APT 6, CLOVIS, NM 88101 DAVID & JOLENE WOLF 404 E. LOCUST, ROBINSON, IL 62454 “THOSE WHO GIVE” Our growing society is becoming a household name among participants and visitors to the dozens of shell shows held each year from Hawaii to London and from Cleveland to Miami. The much sought-after C.O.A. Grand Trophy, one of the most highly prized awards in the shell world, and its val- uable booklet of gift certificates are stimulating great interest | in our club. But special thanks must go to the enthusiatic dealers and publishers who each year have generously given | of time and money to the cause. Here's a bravo to: American Malacologists, Inc., Box 2255, Melbourne, FL 32901 Kirk Anders Shelling Tours, Box 14633, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302 Benjane Arts, 320 Hempstead Ave., West Hempstead, NY 11552 The Blue Mussel, 478 Fifth Ave. So., Naples, FL 33940 Richard M. Kurz, Inc., 1575 North 118 st., Wauwatosa, WI 53226 Mal de Mer Enterprises, Box 482, W. Hempstead, NY 11552 New York Shell Club, 211 Milligan Rd., West Babylon, NY 11704 Of Sea and Shore, Box 33, Port Gamble, WA 98364 The Shell Gallery, Piccadilly Square, 77 Union St., Newton Centre, MA 02159 The Shell Store, 440-75th Ave., Route A19A, St. Petersburg, FL 33706 Shelloak, 129 Blackjack St., Brooksville, FL 33512 Shells of the Seas, Inc., Box 1418, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33302 Tidepool Gallery, 22762 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265 C.0.A. TRADING POST Lynn Nathanson, 3369 Milburn Ave., Baldwin, NY 11510 has beautiful Long Island Argopecten irradians Lamarck (orange, white, tan, etc.) to trade. THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CONCHOLOGIST SOCIETY’S 16TH ANNUAL SHELL SHOW This society's show will be held at the Fort Myers Exhibition Hall, | January 14-16, 1983. They announce that their “Special Masters | Trophy” will be awarded to the best entry which has previously won | either the C.O.A. Grand Trophy, the duPont or the Smithsonian trophies. For further information write Olin Bell, 383 Norwood Court, Ft. Myers, FL. 33907. | HELP WANTED WANTED: a shell club looking for an interesting and rewarding project! The C.O.A. needs a host club for the 1983 Convention. Hosting our convention will be work but will give your club a chance to meet a lot of shell collectors, help the C.O.A. and have a lot of fun. If your club is interested in hosting the 1983 meeting or a future C.O.A. meeting, let President Dick Jones know. . . the sooner the better! Write: R.H. Jones, 1432 Dorsh Road, South Euclid, Ohio 44121. DECEMBER 1982/No. 28 a CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 9 MARGINELLA TESSELLATA REDISCOVERED RICHARD L. GOLDBERG Recently dredged specimens of a Marginella species off West Panama, by James Ernest, have surfaced the true identity of Marginella tessellata Lamarck, 1822. In a paper published by Barry Roth and William K. Emerson (Nautilus, Vol. 96, No.4/Oct. 29, 1982), the authors have reinstated the name Persicula tessellata to the literature as a valid species most closely related to P. accola (Roth & Coan, 1968), also from West Panama. Marginella tessellata was originally described from an un- known province, and Roth & Emerson have now designated the type locality “off Isla Cebaco, West Panama.” The nomen- clature surrounding the Marginella tessellata, porcellana, ac- cola complex is quite confusing. Fig. 1: Persicula accola (Roth & Coan, 1968) - Isla Gubernador, West Panama; taken in 2 fathoms of water, on muddy sand. Figure 2: Persicula tessellata (Lamarck, 1822) - Isla de Cebaco, West Panama; dredged in 100 feet of water, in white sand. Photos: Worldwide Specimen Shells. Basically, Gmelin (1791) described Voluta porcellana with reference to two figures in Chemnitz (1788), with a type locality of Indian Ocean. This locality was speculative. La- marck (1822) described Marginella tessellata citing the same two figures in Chemnitz. Later authors beginning with Reeve (1864), considered Lamarck’s & Gmelin’s species as synon- | ymous, perhaps because both cited the same figures. Sowerby (1846) illustrated three different specimens as M. tessellata; one of them actually being Persicula chrysomelina (Redfield, 1848). Sowerby was the first to designate the locality of M. tessellata as Venezuela) Roth & Emerson (1982) state that Sowerby’s illustrations are suggestive of P. porcellana (Gmelin, 1791) (M. obesa Redfield, 1846 & Voluta albida Bosc, 1801 | being junior synonyms), and that Chemnitz’ illustrations cited by Gmelin for his species, agree more closely with the Caribbean species than with the Pacific P. tessellata; thus Voluta porcellana is the oldest name of the Caribbean species. Roth and Coan (1966) designated the holotype of M. tessel- lata as a neotype for Voluta porcellana. They had regarded Persicula porcellana as an eastern Pacific species. In 1968, they renamed the eastern Pacific species as P. accola, and allocated the name P. porcellana to the western Atlantic species. The recent discovery of true P. tessellata from West Panama removes it as a junior synonym of P. porcellana. P. accola is the closest relative to P. tessellata, both phys- ically and geographically, and differs by its consistantly smal- ler size, rows of spots covering about 90% of the shell’s surface, among other differences listed by Roth and Emerson. P. accola is reported to be an intertidal species, found in mixed sand and mud, while P. tessellata is found in deep water, down to about 30 meters, on white sand and very clear water. SCHOLARSHIP FOR MOLLUSCAN STUDIES The Austronaut Trail Shell Club of Brevard, Inc., box EG-515, Melbourne, FL 32935 again offers a grant of $500.00, their Morris Karl Jacobson Scholarship, to a student who is registered for a Masters of Ph.D. degree in an accredited Florida college or university and is engaged in a research project or preparing a thesis dealing primarily with the natural history or systematics of mollusks. Appli- cants should submit a brief educational resume, an outline of the research project, the use to which the money will be put, and a letter of recommendation from his or her chief advisor to the Chairman of Scholarship Awards at the above address. 22762 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California 90265 RARE SHELLS OUR SPECIALITY Largest stock of world-wide specimens on the West Coast. Plus unique and beautiful fine art, carvings, handicrafted Jewelry, Weavings - all related to the Sea. RETAIL ONLY - No Lists or Catalogues We do our best to answer specific request sent by mail. For a truly delightful experience - Visit the Tidepool! Ask any collector PAGE 10 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 10:4 Figs. 1 & 2. Typical (left) and albino forms of Pteropurpura trialata (Sowerby), both 90.25 mm long, both from about 20 ft on rocks on the breakwater in Los Angeles Harbor. CALIFORNIA SEASHELLS PART Il: PTEROPURPURA (MURICIDAE) CHARLES GLASS & ROBERT FOSTER The main contender with Ceratostoma foliatum for the title of most elegantly beautiful of California murex shells is certainly Pteropurpura trialata (Sowerby, 1834), the “Three Winged Murex’. It is a large, cream-colored shell with brown bands and broad, fluted wings or varices. It is listed as being as large as 93 mm and we have found exceptional specimens up to 97 mm long, just under 4 inches. The range is given as extending from Cedros Island off Baja California to Bodega Bay, Marin County, California, but scarce north of Palos Verdes. We have collected specimens near the Los Angeles Harbor and an occasional specimen near the Avalon break- water, Catalina, near the Santa Barbara wharf and on the reef near Elwood, west of Santa Barbara. It is generally found in 10 to 30 feet of water, under and between rocks such as on breakwaters or pilings, often at bay entrances, often in associ- ation with other muricid shells, namely Ceratostoma nuttalli, Ocenebra foveolata, Roperia poulsoni and Pteropurpura festiva. While brown-banded, cream-colored shells are the norm, pure white forms are not exceedingly rare, say 1 out of 8 or 10, but nearly completely brown forms are indeed quite rare. Freshly collected shells are generally not particularly difficult to clean, being often partially covered with small, limey encrustations which can be flaked off, and the high spire is usually in good condition. One or two of the wing tips are, unfortunately, often broken, however, or bored by worms. The lobed, wing-like varices are particularly delicate and graceful as is the slender, curved siphonal canal. Another of California’s choicest muricids, in fact, the type of the genus, Pteropurpura, is Pteropurpura macroptera (Des- hayes, 1839). Until 1964 when Dr. Emerson determined the identity based on the type specimens, macroptera was known under the junior synonym, Pteronotus carpenteri Dall, 1899. P. trialatus was also confused with this species. In 1908 in The Nautilus (21:105-106) Dr. Stillman Berry made note of what he called Murex carpenteri form alba with the comment, “during the past year the fishermen of Newport, Orange County, California, have brought up a number of specimens Fig. 3. (above). An exceedingly rare, white form of P. macroptera (Deshayes), 51 mm long, leg. John Phillips, in 75 ft at Coho Anchorage. Fig. 4 (below). An exceptionally fine, 60 mm _ long specimen of P. macroptera from Canby Reef off Santa Barbara Harbor. “72 7 “8 ca < ee 5 a a7 287 oS 1 250: So) see |) a F\ 22 es. aS, 366 66 Sse *s =. 454 ‘ 561 739 goM | 574 375 + Fy eas, cherie A 454 (988. 172 shorn Bank 663 \ 73 YP / Mn \ 1 , y 200 Ppp pian nye\ 60 190 180 370 == ~ a ERO = Rot W&GLERY h by : Oe 8, Ge eha) ere ee Bes : Mela © Jk on 332:2:- a 40 ate, (KEER) = 420 = Gp Fi (2) 10sec 2 Pt Sars ie 65673 Fl 30sec 76ft 14M 125 - nta Catalina I VR Bn 42) Fig. 5 (above). The white banded, “tremperi” form of P. macroptera, this 39 mm long specimen from 60 ft. near Point Conception, leg. John Phillips. Fig. 6 (below). Top view of a specimen of P. macrop- tera, a 51.7 mm long specimen taken in about 70 ft. near Canby Reef. Note characteristic flare and indentation of anterior varical margins near siphonal canal. pe 267 622 ? = 152 7 - 652 Paes oe or 646 617 ee Be IES Hs 685 ty oe gm 47S, ‘ ‘ ; ra let ‘ os Raod R ee) eo ~y. 64 GULF OF SANTA CATALINA 3893 : 7m es, } naa 904 . 265 M 677 nD 566 eel Boe : 2 0h un Oy . 209 25€ 736 * 185 °~. ties © iat - 949 a 1 Ip > 636g EN 972 “Hee ge Nga : ape asi Ty 197 Bee AO ene - ScS yes oe oe aoe Fi 15sec 202ft 11M "~ 1 1 dOT “tee Ee 810 aes ae! \ ay. 2 v “ S15 661° *s, 533. : . Bey 4) All . 414 FFI ]0sec 226ft 13M 326 43, ~\ Fy, ade of Murex carpenteri Dall, in their nets. Most of them are the ordinary form, but among them are two or three specimens of pure white color, showing little or none of the browinish coloration so characteristic of the species. This is a really beautiful variation, but as yet it seems to be very rare. According to the usual custom, this form may be referred to as the form or variety alba.--S.S. Berry”. When carpenteri was found to be a synonym of Pteropurpura macroptera, alba was also accepted as a white form of macroptera. We considered that this was highly unlikely since out of thousands of specimens of P. macroptera, we have only ever heard of 2 white ones (one of which is in our collection). We considered it far more likely that Berry's white form was a white form of P. trialata, since it is far more likely that if 2 or 3 specimens were netted by fishermen they would be referrable to that species rather than the extraordinarily rare white P. mar- coptera, a plausible theory since P. trialata and P. macroptera had indeed been confused with each other. Since the type of Berry's form alba was neither pictured nor described, and was in his private collection and since he is now 95 years old, it was not too possible to prove that theory. However, recently Dr. Berry has most graciously given us permission to visit his collection and hopefully solve this admittedly minor riddle. P. macroptera is indeed a lovely species. An exceptional specimen may be as long as 75 mm (3 inches) and with gracefully recurved, winged varices. Most shells are a rich, chestnut to almost purplish brown but there is a rare form with 1 or more flaring, white stripes across the body whorl which was named Murex carpenteri var. tremperi by Dall (1910) and then the exceedingly rare white form we men- tioned above (see figures 3 & 4). There are also minor variations which are a bit perplexing, with some specimens, possibly whole populations, the shell may be smooth or scabrous, the varices stiff and straight or gracefully recurved, PAGE 12 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 10:4 the varical digitations brief or long and slender. More habitat studies and population samplings must be made before it can be determined whether these differences are related to geographical distribution. There is, however, an intriguing posibility which may explain some of this variability, but we will take that up in our discussion of the following species, Pteropurpura vokesae. In our experience we have found the species Pteropurpura macroptera in moderately deep water, around and on low rocky reefs in 60 to 100 feet of water. We have found by far the best specimens off the Santa Barbara harbor, but we have also collected it at Horseshoe Kelp Reef off the Los Angeles harbor, off San Clemente Island, at Coho Anchorage near Point Conception and 1 specimen in only 45 feet of water off Santa Cruz Island and a juvenile specimen in just 30 ft. on the breakwater of Monterey harbor! We have often found them in the act of drilling Ventricolaria (Circomphalus) fordii bivalves. Indeed virtually all dead specimens of this bivalve which we have found have had drill holes in them. The range of P. macroptera is given as extending from Monterey Bay, California, to Todos Santos Bay, Baja California, at depths below 60 feet. Pteropurpura vokesae Emerson, 1964 is a new name for what was previously known as Murex rhyssus Dall, 1919, a name preoccupied by a Tertiary fossil Murex. In the Radwin- D' Attilio classification, P. vokesae was transferred to Ocenebra. External characteristics certainly are remarkably similar to P. macroptera, the type of the genus, and Mr. D’Attilio agrees that the radular characteristics are compatible with Ptero- purpura as well as Ocenebra. Surprisingly, the two species, P. macroptera and P. vokesae, are often found together, occupy- ing the same habitat, and it can be difficult to determine to which species a somewhat encrusted shell belongs, so similar can they be in general shape, at least in the case of some forms of P. macroptera. Indeed, Dall apparently confused the two species, since the shell from which he supposedly drew the description of his Murex petri (lectotype in the US. National Museum) is P. macroptera whereas he later figured Murex rhyssus (= P. vokesae) as Murex petri! One is hesitant to speculate on the occurrence of hybrids, but it does seem within the realm of possibility that there may be hybrid influence between these two similar species occupying the same niche which causes the variability in P. macroptera, giving rise to the curvature of the varix wings and the occasionally scabrous sculpture. P. vokesae is an intricate, elegant jewel of a shell, with backswept varical wings and strong, lacelike, scabrous lamellae covering the entire shell. The color is yellowish brown. We have observed very little variation. The range of P. vokesae is given as extending from Santa Rosa Island, in the Santa Barbara Channel Island group, to Figs. 7, 8 & 9. P. vokesae Emerson, a near-perfect, 55.9 mm long specimen from near Canby Reef. Fig. 7 (left). Side view. Fig. 8 (above). Ventral view showing aperture and operculum; compare outline to fig. 6. Fig. 9 (below). Greatly enlarged detail of delicate sculpturing. San Bartolome Bay, Baja California. We have collected spec- imens off the L.A. harbor at San Pedro, on Horseshoe Kelp Reef, virtually the type locality, in about 80 feet, and, our best specimens, off the Santa Barbara harbor near low reefs on silt in 60 to 90 feet. We were surprised to find 2 small P. vokesae in only 30 ft. on the L.A. harbor breakwater. Fortunately some specimens are quite clean or with only a soft, crumbly, sugar-like encrustation, for it is practically impossible to remove hard, limey encrustations without destroying the del- icate sculpturing. DECEMBER 1982/No. 28 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 13 The fourth and only other known California member of this genus is Pteropurpura festiva (Hinds, 1844). It seems rather drab in comparison to its showy cousins, but it is an attractive enough species in its own right. The three varices are strongly recurved and have the appearance of cresting waves. The body whorl is decorated with numerous, usually darker, finely cut striae or grooves. The shell color is white to yellowish brown. The maximum length is given as 60 mm but in most areas specimens over 25-40 mm are rare indeed. The range is given as extending from Santa Barbara, California to Magdalena Bay, Baja California) We have found it most abundantly on the breakwaters in the L.A. harbor in 10 to 20 ft. where it is not uncommon to find hundreds of small shells in congregations on one rock! We have also found it in 20 to 25 feet on wharf pilings and low, rocky reefs off Santa Barbara beaches. We recently found two larger specimens in about 30 feet near the Avalon breakwater on Catalina Island in the act of boring the Ventricolaria (Circomphalus) fordii bivalve. Fig. 10. P. festiva (Hinds), a 53 mm long specimen coll. intertidally at Newport Bay, rather unusual specimen for its brownish banding and near absence of striae around the body whorl. Fig. 11 (right). A typical, striated (and greatly magnified) specimen of P. festiva, 40 mm long, leg. J. Phillips in 40 ft, Coho Anchorage. The genus Shaskyus was proposed in 1963 by Burch and Campbell for the species, but Radwin and D' Attilio consid- ered that it could be accomodated in Pteropurpura, the most likely of the many genera in which it had been placed. REFERENCES: Abbott, R. Tucker, 1964. American Seashells. Van Nostrand, New York. Berry, S. Stillman, 1908. Murex carpenteri, form alba. The Nautilus 21:105-6. Emerson, William K., 1964. On the identity of Murex mac- ropterus Deshayes, 1839. The Veliger 6 (3): 151-154. 1964. A new name for Murex rhyssus Dall, 1919. The Veliger, 7 (1): 5-7. Radwin, G. & A. D’Attilio, 1976. Murex Shells of the World, Stanford, CA. SUPPLEMENT 2 WAGNER AND ABBOTT'S STANDARD CATALOG OF SHELLS Complete species and generic catalogs of six major families, a revision of 1200 World Size Records, and an Index to genera and subgenera. With seven New guide tabs. Fits into your pres- ent binder. 116 pages, illus. $13.00, plus $1.00 postage (foreign postage $1.50). Families covered: Coralliophilidae (Latiaxis, Magilus, etc.); Triviidae; Ovulidae; Nassariidae (by W. O. Cernohorsky, about 2,600 names); Glycymerididae (650 names); Spondylidae (250 names). Order now from AMERICAN MALACOLOGISTS, INC., P.O. Box 2255, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA. We accept VISA or MASTER CARD payments. Give your name, card number, and the month and year of expiration. PAGE 14 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 10:4 ENJOYING BULA BULA LAND DORA E. BRUNOTTO 16379 E. Binney Street, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745 On my summer vacation to the South Pacific last year in August I had the time of my life viewing the very wildlife of the inshore waters. Upon my first day there I find myself surrounded by the luxurious, turquoise blue of a Fijian inlet. Standing quietly on a not-so-dry piece of reef, I survey its vastness that lies before me. I turn around to view a large tide pool only a few feet from shore. Not more than two feet from my toes and in six inches of water is a young Brachirus zebra, the zebra turkey fish. He treads calmly, fins flexed as he watches the myriad of small blue damsels and sergeant majors dodging by him and swimming in and out of the neighboring coral chunks. The few precious moments I could spend with him, my most favorite of marine tropicals, is a treasured memory I never want to forget. One of the most common, docile sea snakes of the area is also one of the most venomous. Two of them, possibly mates, frolicked in and about both of my legs in a couple feet of the incoming surf. Spotting them in an instant, I grabbed my younger brother and while keeping an eye on the white and black banded serpents, we scurried out of reach. On a famous Fijian resort beach my family and I tried our beach-combing luck in a very low-tidal stretch of shore. We found a small scattering of old wooden ship wreckage sunk deep in the fine, white sand. A good portion was laid dry by the tide; we explored around it not knowing what we'd find. My dad caught sight of a small, white, round object stuck within a crevice of the half submerged boards. He bent down and dislodged it from its hiding place. It was quite an exciting discovery and we proceeded to collect half a dozen more before the tide finally came back. As we headed for our hotel room with a tropical sunset at our backs, I turned to take a last look at the old wood and felt reassured that the by now waist-high tide completely smothered the old debris, knowing that the new nosy waders were too late to find the small Cypraea eburnea colony. Fig. 1. left: Cypraea eburnea Barnes, taken in 2-6 m under rocks and sponges at Ile Nod, New Caledonia. A specimen of the closely related C. miliaris Gmel. is shown to the right for comparison. Approx. nat. size. On the other side of the same islet I decided to snorkel out a ways in the hopes of maybe finding another choice speci- men to add to my shell collection. I swam out about half a meter in what amounted to nothing but a murky mess. I could barely see my own hand in front of my face but I was too eager to get out right away. I shifted my line of sight left and right trying not to disturb the sand beneath me, when all of a sudden, this blue-striped snapper (Lutjanus kasmira) came from out of nowhere and swam up to my nose, eyeball to eyeball! Both in astonishment, we high tailed it out of there in opposite directions. It seems he was as spooked by me as I was by him. Looking back on it now, I can’t remember when the sea had given me such a split-second surprise! It gives me a sense of amusing pleasure that still puts a smile on my face. Amongst all of the treacherous circumstances I put myself in, including nearly stepping on a foot and a half long stone fish and taking a mile-high hike up a mountain to see a puny little waterfall (I did end up having one of the best lobster lunches of my life when I came back to the safety of my bungalow), I wouldn’t have missed this trip for the world. It was really so extraordinary. It’s one unforgettable “joyride” I wouldn’t mind travelling again. Fig. 2. Lambis lambis Linne, a 170 mm shell taken in shallow water by SCUBA by C. Glass off Kwajalein Island in the Marshalls. Photos: Glass & Foster. While visiting one of the neighboring isles, I waded among eel grass in a blanket of sand. I noticed a bright purple, spherical creature near two inches in diameter rolling hap- hazardly in the water just within reach. Thinking what a nice keepsake this pretty little bobble would make and not think- ing of the precaution I should’ve taken, I went ahead and picked it up. Much to my dismay I had a living jellyfish in my hand. Upon seeing its tentacles squirming around, I frantically threw it back into the water. The ugly thought of my poor hand swelling with pain gave me this awful, sinking feeling and I cursed my own stupidity. But to my surprise, my hand didn’t swell up. I felt no pain, either. My obvious relief was enhanced when I turned my head away from the little monster. My eyes fell upon a large, manila colored object crawling slowly among the grass. By its shape I instantly knew what I was looking at. I was amazed and thrilled with joy at the generous gift the sea was giving me. Eagerly picking it up, I turned it over knowing I had a live catch but wondering what beautiful colors lay inside. As I felt the urgency of the surf splashing back and forth between my legs, I got a loving eyeful of the white, speckled, orange based mantle and long eye stalks with green pupils that stared incessantly at me. The brilliant pink-orange labials of its porcellain-like underbase gleamed in the reflected light of the sun. Each algae-laden spike was in place. The siphonal canal was in fine condition being quite long and unchipped. What I held within my fingers was Lambis lambis, the spider conch. I never thought I'd ever come across such an honorable prize as a beach comber. DECEMBER 1982/No. 28 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PHILLIP W. CLOVER Dealer in World Wide Sea Shells since 1960 Specializing ww in Latiaxis, Murex, Morums, Marginella Mitra, Conus, Cypraea, Voluta, Cancellaria, Typhis, Trophons, and out of print Sea Shell Books. Phone # 707-996-6960 Write for Free Price Lists. P.O. Box 83 - Glen Ellen - Calif. 95442 THE WORLD’S MOST COMPLETE OFFERING OF SHELLS FROM THE PANAMIC PROVINCE The Panamic Province includes the Pacific side of tropical America from west Mexico to Ecuador CATALOG 36 pages of rarely offered shells FY-Vato Mm iM (g-ta0]avel-] o)(-Melalm ales meolge(-10) wholesale only VENUS DISPLAYS 10713 ASHBY AVE. Los Angeles, Ca. 90064 PANAMIC SPECIMEN SHELLS 3846 E. HIGHLAND e PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85018 USA Over 3,000 species regularly in stock! We will select your shells as if they were for our own collection. . . .and we’re very very, picky! Bob Foster & Charles Glass ibaeelee Specimen Shells P.O. Box 3010 Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (805) 963-3228 1231 So. Harbor Blud La Habra CA ee ee SHELL SHELTER * WORLD WIDE SHELLS — SPECIMEN QUALITY LARGEST SELECTION OF RARE SHELLS ON WEST COAST SPECIMENS SOLD RECENTLY AND USUALLY IN STOCK INCLUDE — Cyp, broderipii, valentia, vredenburgi, sakurai, guttata, kuroharai, joyceae, rosselli. Conus crocatus, dusaveli, neptunus, cervus, milneedwardsii, proximus, architha- lassus, armadillo. Murex phydlopterus, loebbecki, laqueatus, marumai. Spondylus gloriosus. Pleurotomaria rumphii, schmalzi. Voluta taiwanica, kawamurai, coni- formis, perplicata, rossiniana and many more. — NO LISTS — PLEASE SEND FOR WANTS (213) 836-3177 Advertising in the Bulletin is pre- sented as a service to our member- ship, but does not automatically im- ply Bulletin endorsement of the ad- vertisers. Advertising space is avail- able at the rate of $60.00 for a half page; yearly rate (4X): $225.00; quarter page: $40.00; yearly rate: $150.00; eighth page: $25.00; year- ly rate: $90.00; minimum ad (1”): $15.00; yearly rate: $55.00. Except for the minimum size ads, camera- ready copy is preferred and copy may be changed for any issue. Dead- lines are month prior to publication months (ie., by January 31st for the March Bulletin, etc.) Send advertis- ing copy and fees to The Editor, box 3010, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. PAGE 15 DISPLAY STANDS Large selection of acrylic displays especially for shells and minerals. PAGE 16 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 10:4 RARE AND EXOTIC SPECIMEN SHELLS for the discriminating collector Free price list MAL DE MER ENTERPRISES P.O. Box 482 _ 792 Evergreen Drive West Hempstead, New York 11552, U.S.A. Phone: (516) 481-0456 LATIAXIS CATALOG and Illustrated Check List of Coralliophilidae Family by P.W. Clover price $10.00 post paid U.S. 40 pages over 350 illustrations & Europe by covering 300+ first class species mail or $11.00 to other areas. Available From P.O. Box 83, Glen Ellen, Calif. 95442 y ra i YOUR ONESTOP... ¢ ’ MARINE&LAND Gi.) g Gee, SHELL CONNECTION VW oN 13 BUY @ SELL * EXCHANGE, \ —, »// HMS—ISGS GRADING, AND <3” FOR YOUR FREE LIST WRITE: Richard Goldberg’s World Wide Specimen Shells \} 49-77 Fresh Meadow Lane Flushing, N.Y. 11365 U.S.A. 1575 NORTH 118th STREET WAUWATOSA, WI 53226 U.S.A. Dealer in Fine and Rare Specimen Shells of Superior Quality The very best shells, at the very best prices WRITE FOR FREE PRICE LIST SHELLS BOUGHT, SOLD AND TRADED LARGEST MAIL ORDER SEASHELL DEALER IN THE U.S.A. |} SH 2 -CCONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN ee ae fare: J ? MARCH, 1983 VOL. 11, NO. 1 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA, INC. A Goliective Devotion To Advancing- aerurneser fesarigecastecedta a fete ite eR RSS In 1972, a group of shell collectors saw the need for a national organization devoted to the interests of shell collectors. Thus, CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA, INC. was formed — for amateur collectors interested in the IR beauty of shells, their scientific aspects and the collecting and preservation of [RS mollusks. The membership includes novices, as well as advanced collectors, scientists and shell dealers from around the country and world. An annual convention is held each year in a different part of the country. OFFICERS President: Richard H. Jones; 1432 Dorsh Road, South Euclid, Ohio 44121 Vice-President: Richard Forbush; 1104 Sklar Dr. E., Venice, Florida 33595 Secretary/Historian: Mrs. Jay Tripp 212 Connecting Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228 Treasurer: Clair Stahl 3235 N.E. 61st Ave., Portland, Oregon 97213 Membership Chairperson: Phyllis Pipher 1116 N Street, Tekamah, Nebraska 86061 Trophy Chairperson: Anne Joffe 1163 Kittiwake Circle, Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 BULLETIN STAFF Editor: Charles Glass Box 3010, Santa Barbara, California 93105 Managing Editor: Robert Foster Box 3010, Santa Barbara, California 93105 a] The BULLETIN is an offical publication of the CONCHOLOGISTS OF Ral AMERICA INC, published quarterly in March, June, September, and December a by Abbey Carden Press, 1675 Las Canoas Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. 4 Second Class Postage pending at Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Postmaster: send tq address changes to Abbey Garden Press, box 3010, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. MEMBERSHIP DUES INDIVIDUAL (per year) $7.50; FAMILY (receiving one Bulletin) $10.00; OVERSEAS (Air Mail Postage) $10.00; Send check or money order to the TREASURER (address above); ***Any other membership problems should be addressed to the MEMBERSHIP CHAIRPERSON, Phyllis Pipher, 1116 N Street, Tekamah, Nebraska, 68061. Ean a eee sone COVER PLATE: Chicoreus cornucervi (Réding, 1798) from north- western Australia; painting by Patty McGeeney of Los Angeles; painting (and shell) in the Foster & Glass collection WILLIAM E. OLD Jr. 1928—1982 It is our sad duty to inform you of the death of Bill Old, C.O.A. member, Scientific Assistant in the Department of Fossil and Living Invertebrates at the American Museum of Natural History in New York since 1960. Bill was very active in shell circles, a knowledgeable and willing judge, excellent lecturer and keen collector specializing in Conus. We only recently got to know Bill, since he came out to judge the West Coast Shell Show in October of 1982. We enjoyed meeting him and looking forward to a long and enriching relationship. On December 31st, apparently recovering from a severe ulcer attack, he succumbed to an apparent heart attack. In the words of Dr. William K. Emerson, Curator of Mullusks at the Museum, “we will deeply miss our close friend and valued colleague, but fond memories of his engaging, jovial spirit will live forever in our hearts”. CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:1 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE The deadline to get my column to the editors of the Bulletin is sort of upon me. I had hoped to be able to announce the location and chairman of the 1983 convention in this column. No such luck. What to write about? Perhaps the lack of a convention location is some- thing that is worth writing about. We have talked to quite a number of clubs about their sponsoring the 1983 meeting. The last Bulletin contained an appeal for sponsor- ship. The clubs we talked to (both formally and informally) all had good reasons for not wanting to sponsor the 1983 convention. The many reasons were really one — it is too much additional work. The workers in the club are already up to their ears in work. There has been no response to my appeal for sponsorship in the last Bulletin probably for the same reason. How do we get membership participa- tion for the convention? What are your ideas? Along the same lines how do we get articles for the Bulletin? The editors tell me we have to stretch for the next issue and any backlog of articles is wishful thinking. This is unfair to our editors who also must be authors. Surely of the C.O.A.’s 600 plus members someone has gone on a collecting trip that’s worth writing about. It may have been a once-in-a-lifetime trip, a so-so trip or even a lousy one but other members would like to hear about your trip no matter how it came out. Maybe you have acquired an interesting specimen you would like to boast about. Almost everyone has a bit of knowledge, an opinion, a story, a question, an idea that is worth sharing with the rest of the C.O.A. membership. How do we get you — yes you, to drop the editors a line? The C.O.A. is your club. You are a member! What do you want from your club? What can you do for your club? Since I have been president I have not had a single letter saying anything good or bad about C.O.A. or letter with an idea. As far as I know none of your other officers have heard word one. Since we all like to get letters it would be sort of nice to hear from you. A particularly nice letter would say: “Hey I would like to help C.O.A. by doing 2 .” You fill in the blank. Or perhaps; “Here is something I would like to see C.O.A. do for the membership. Maybe the reason we cannot obtain sponsorship for the 1983 convention is not the work but because there is no membership interest. Can this be correct after more than 200 came to Sanibel? I have sort of rambled on about this and that. The real point is that I'm not very good at twisting wrists particularly when I have run out of wrists. C.O.A. needs your help — the help of the membership. We need convention sponsorship, articles for the Bulletin, ideas as to how to make C.O.A a better club or even what you don't like about C.O.A. Let's hear from you. Write or phone your editors or officers. STOP THE PRESSES! C.O.A. Convention in Sarasota in September We have just received word that the 1983 C.O.A. Con- vention will be held in Sarasota, Florida, September 21st thru the 25th. Those interested in presenting programs or papers please contact Convention Chairman, Dick Forbush, 1104 Sklar Dr. E., Venice, FL 33595 .(phone 813: 488-6170). Further details will be given in the June Bulletin. GENETIC SURGERY A shell-collector/exhibitor wrote in the description of a fine display of self-collected shells that he “went reefing for shells in sneakers and cut-off genes’. PERFECTER SHELLS A mail-order specimen seashell company received an order with | the stipulation, “GEM or better”! MARCH 1983/No. 29 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 3 A SOUTH AMERICAN SOLAROPSIS RICHARD GOLDBERG & BRUCE EINSOHN The land shell fauna of South America is one of the most diverse of any province in tropical climates. They range from small non-descript Bulimulidae or intricately-toothed apertured odontostomids, to the large and solid Strophocheilus. One species that vies for the most beautiful of the helical shaped land shells, not only in South America, but the world, is Solaropsis gibboni Pfeiffer. S. gibboni is rather rare in collec- tions due to its inaccessable habitat. Records show that it has been found in the Amazon Basin region | of Columbia and to the Andes jungles of Ecuador. It is a forest | dwelling, camaenid snail, reported | to live under ground litter and under downed trees. The illustrat- ed specimens were collected at | Puyo, Ecuador, near the villages of | the Jibaro and Auca tribes — tribes which are still quite primitive and reputedly still engage in shrunken head rituals and cannibalism, and use blowguns tipped with curare. It’s no wonder that land shells from | this area are so hard to obtain. Adult specimens of this species | range in size from approximately 165 mm to almost 100 mm in dia- meter, and it is the largest member | of the genus. Its color is white with | alternating reddish-brown axial lines. The two pictured specimens | illustrate two distinct patterns that | have been found. Figure 2 is obvi- | ously just a more well-developed | patterned specimen and does not | deserve any subspecific name. The genus Solaropsis Beck, 1837, | consists of more than 30 species } ranging from Brazil and Peru, to Columbia and Guyana, and up Prose Central America to Costa | Rica. The type of the genus is S. | peliserpentis Chemnitz. Many of | the species in this genus look like | coiled snakes and an invalid syn- q onym of Solaropsis is Ophidermis. In future articles I hope to highlight other spectacular and uncommon land shells from South America. Fig. 1 & 2: Solaropsis giboni Pfeiffer, Puyo, Oriente, Ecuador. Fig. 1- 83mm; fig. 2-77mm. Photo: Richard Goldberg. PAGE 4 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:1 WHO’S WHO IN C.O.A. If you see the license plate “Cowrys” in northern Califor- nia, you can be fairly certain Phillip William Clover, our third Vice President (1974-75), is nearby. Phillip has had a fas- cinating career as a private shell collector, later as a dealer, and is now semi-retired in Glen Ellen, located in California's Sonoma Valley. He and his wife Marjorie Joyce Clover, nee McClary, also own a summer home in the high Sierras. Phillip was born in Oakland, California in 1934, and after two years at the University of California, he spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring in 1973 as Chief Petty Officer in Electronic Communications. His attraction to seashells began in Sunset Beach, Hawaii in 1955, and continued through a tour of duty in Japan where he had the opportunity of meeting the famous collector, Emperor Hirohito, at a shell show. Some time later, in Spain, Phillip collected for the Smithsonian Institution. These for- eign tours of duty led to his gradual extension into trading, buying, and selling. Our subject is a Conchologist with a Capital “C”, and at the young age of 48, he is an Elder Statesman of Conchology, and available for assistance to scientists, museums and others in the malacological field. He has travelled to more than 50 countries, and has dived for shells in all seven oceans of the world. His collection numbers over 25,000 lots, and includes perhaps more rarities than any other private collection in this country. In 1966, Phillip acquired a 75 mm specimen of Cypraea valentia Perry, 1800, “The Prince of Cowries’, not previously collected in over 100 years, and the first to be held in a private collection. Again, in 1978, he found a specimen of Conus cervus Lamarck, which had an identical history. (Phillip is listed in the 1982 Guinness Book of World Records as having refused $10,000 for this specimen!) On the 15th anniversary of their wedding, he presented his wife with a new species of cowry which he had named for her, Cypraea (Lyncina) joyceae Clover, 1970. Many scientists have honored Phillip Clover by naming his newly-discovered species for him: Voluta (Lyria) cloveriana Weaver, 1962, Mitra (Subancilla) cloveri Cernohorsky, 1971, Marginella cloveri Rios & Matthews, 1972, Conus cloveri Walls, 1979, to name but a few. Phillip has written many scientific, and over 200 popular, articles on his special interests: Conus, Cypraea, Latiaxis, Marginella, Mitra, Murex, and Voluta, and he enjoys member- ships in virtually every important conchological/malacological society in the world. In our subject's opinion, “C.O.A. was the best thing to happen to the American shell collectors”. In 1974, during his term of office, many shell collectors, both amateur & profes- sional, had not met personally. In the intervening years, personal acquaintance among collectors has become the norm. He credits C.O.A.’s annual Dealers’ Bourse as an important event which attracts new members to our ranks. One fabled acquisition eluded Phillip for many years: a beautiful Cypraea leucodon Broderip was finally added to his holding in 1982. What will you do for an encore, Phillip? JAY J. TRIPP C.O.A. Secretary-Historian C.0.A. GRAND TROPHY WINNERS Second Tri-State Shell Show, Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 1-3, 1982 winners: Marian and Thad Brzana display: World-Wide Bivalves The Brzanas, from Evergreen Park, Illinois, started seriously collect- ing shells 6 years ago though Marian, who has always loved shells and sea life, used them in floral arrangements and shell-craft over the past 29 years! They started exhibiting in August of 1981 where their “World-Wide Bivalve” display took a blue ribbon. The display has been expanded and upgraded to the present 11 cases, 30 linear feet in all. In addition to the C.O.A. Grand Trophy, the exhibit won the “People’s Choice” award and a silver trophy for the “Most Beautiful Display”. Fig. 1. Marian and Thad Brzana, Grand Trophy winners at the 2nd ! Tri-State Shell Show. . ERRATUM We apologize for a mistake in the citation of authorship of Morum macdonaldi. It was described by W.K. Emerson in 1981 in The Nautilus, not co-authored by A. D’Attilio as we indicated. In the same article Dr. Emerson also described the new Morum joelgreenei. S & D SIGLER - SPECIMEN SHELLS P.O. BOX 14169B ORLANDO, FLA 32857 f=) 305 - 282-3730 === WORLDWIDE SPECIMEN SEASHELLS Superior quality - uncommon to rare RETAIL & WHOLESALE WANT LISTS REQUESTED WRITE FOR: CLUB AUCTION and SLIDE SHOW information VISIT US WHEN IN ORLANDO MARCH 1983/No. Fig. 1. Conus visagenus Kilburn, named for Mr. A. Visage in Durban, South Africa is one of the rarest of cones. This 35 mm specimen was trawled in 180 fm off Natal in 1975. Fig. 2. (above, right). Pero- trochus adansonianus Crosse & Fischer, an exceedingly rare “slit shell”, this 135 mm wide specimen was taken live by SCUBA in 300- 350 ft. off the Grand Bahama Banks (we don't recommend hunting for it to any of you who are divers. . . . it has proved fatal to some)! | SHELLS FOR THE AMATEUR by C. GLASS & R. FOSTER _ Some have questioned the selection of shells “for the amateur”. We | point out to them that amateur means ‘lover’, not beginner or novice. | An amateur participates out of love, not for money We are all amateurs — as far as shells are concerned! Fig. 5. (below, left). Latiaxis cristatus Kosuge, a 35 mm specimen of this newer, deep water species from off Mactan Island, Cebu, Philip- pines, considered by some to be indistinguishable from L. gemmatus. Fig. 3. (above) Cancellaria centrota Dall from 400 ft. deep in the Gulf of California, a 25 mm specimen. Fig. 4. (below, right). There is some question whether this shell is Trophon geversianus (Pallas), under which name it is usually encountered, or the closely related Stramonitrophon laciniatus (Dillwyn), both from the Magellanic region of the southern Atlantic. This 45 mm specimen, originally from the Calvert Collection, was taken off the Falkland Isalnds (before most of us had heard of them). CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:1 TEXAS STATE SHELL SHOW The Coastal Bend Shell Club hosted the “Texas State Shell Show’, October 29, 30 and 31, in the beautiful new Bayfront Plaza Convention Center overlooking Corpus Christi Bay. The show was a celebration of the club’s 25th anniversary. We were very fortunate to have three exceptional judges, R. Tucker Abbott, Jean Andrews and Myra L. Taylor. With much greeting of old shelling friends, visiting and making new acquaintances, exhibits were assembled on Fri- day, the 29th. That evening Corpus Christi State University hosted a lecture by Tucker Abbott on “Zoogeography of Marine Mollusca.” The next morning the judges met to begin the task of determining the exhibits most deserving of receiv- ing the trophies and ribbons to be presented. There were 63 exhibits, about 400 feet, of informative, artistically done displays for the judges to consider. It wasn’t an easy job. An awards luncheon was held at the Travelodge with about 60 attending. Albert Heine, director of the Corpus Christi Muse- um, because of his long, close relationship with the club, gave the welcome address amid peals of laughter. His description of the trials of dealing with small children and animals on television delighted the audience. Trophies were then pre- sented to the deserving recipients. The duPont going to Bernard & Phyllis Pipher, Tekamah, Nebraska, for an out- standing 42 foot display of world wide cones. The COA trophy was awarded to the same couple for a spectacular exhibit on lyropectens that was easily the most beautiful case in the whole show. “Shell of the Show’, from any source, was presented, again to the Piphers, for the huge, red Lyropecten magnificus. “Shell of the Show, Self-collected”, was awarded to Theresa Stelzig, Portland, Texas, for a Conus granulatus she collected live off the reef in Belize, Central Americal. Being the Texas State Shell Show there had to be a trophy for the best Texas collection and there were many fine exhibits in this category but great attention to detail paid off for Harold & Frieda White, Angleton, Texas, who took this trophy home. The sweepstakes trophy was awarded to the person with the most ribbon points. Janey Moore, Clute, Texas, who came early and worked until late Friday night. She was easily the winner of this trophy; no one really came close. Fig. 1. Harold and Frieda White accepting the Texas Trophy from Jean Andrews. Fig. 2. Theresa Stelzig accepting “Shell of the Show, Self-Collected” Trophy from Myra L. Taylor, with R. Tucker Abbott joining in the applause. After the luncheon shellers had a choice of going to the opening of the show, going shelling by boat to the Spoil Islands in the bay, where most shellers visiting our area never get to go, or striking out on their own shelling expedition. Our thanks go out to the judges, the dealers and the show exhibitors; it would not have been possible without you. There were eleven dealers from all over Texas and Florida; their booths were enjoyed by the shellers and visitors to the show alike. There were the usual amount of crises — last minute shifting of exhibits to cover spaces where an exhibit didn't show and another you didn’t expect arrived, some who needed pens, paper, tape, sicissors, glass cleaner, etc., all at the same time so that there was constant hurry, hurry. But all this still can’t take away from the enjoyment of a show. In closing, I'd like to say: support your local shell show, and if you don’t have one. . . . organize one -- you'll love it. Theresa Stelzig Show Chairperson a MARCH 1983/No. 29 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 7 SHELLS IN PRINT by RICHARD L. GOLDBERG COMPENDIUM OF SEASHELLS by Abbott & Dance Amateur and professional conchologists alike will hail the January 1983 release of Abbott and Dance’s COMPENDIUM OF SEA- SHELLS (E.P. Dutton, Inc., New York). Webster’s Dictionary defines “compendium” as a “concise but comprehensive treatise”, and a more appropriate word to describe this book cannot be found. COMPENDIUM is a large-format hard- cover volume with 411 pages covering over 4,200 marine shells. The book is illu- strated throughout with exceptional quality color plates (see picture) on a high quality coated stock paper. Each shell is illustrated showing the best possible view for ident- ification. In many cases a number of views are shown to better illustrate the species or variations. A feature which will make COMPEN- DIUM of special value to the professional as well as advanced amateur collectors is the picturing of the type specimens of many species — this work probably contains illustrations of more type specimens that ever published in one volume. Many other species figured here have never been published in any popular conchological literature. In a work this size and general nature (world wide marine shells) Abbott and Dance have diverged from the typical alphabetical grouping of species within a family. The species are grouped by geographical locality, e.g. Indo-Pacific & Japanese cones, West African & South African cones, Florida & Caribbean cones, etc. Within these family and geographical grouping the species are then grouped by similar look, to help facilitate identification of an unidentified shell. Probably due to the great amount of juxtapositioning involved in laying out COMPENDIUM, a few species got separated from their geographical or generic grouping, but this does not detract in any way from it usefulness. The format provides a quick reference, with the picture and brief accompanying text directly below. Each species’ text includes the common and Latin name, author, date described with the most recent generic placement for the species and average adult size in inches | and centimeters. Other information given includes geographical dis- tribution, habitat (water depth), availability (common, rare, etc.) and sometimes an identifying characteristic, synonym or other pertinent _ information about the species. Type material illustrated is mentioned _as such. The authors have obviously done much research into the | needs of the amateur collector, as this format provides the ultimate general reference book for collectors and will undoubtedly be a first _ choice for identifications before referencing books of a more specific COMPENDIUM OF SEASHELLS | nature. | The selection of species to illustrate in COMPENDIUM must have | been a difficult decision for the authors, but they have covered the popular and unpopular families extremely well. In a quick glance through the book certain families stand out as being covered more comprehensively than ever before including Pleurotomariidae, Hal- iotidae, Fissurellidae, Cerithiidae, Naticidae, Cymatiidae, Buccinidae, Cancellariidae, Polypalcophora (chitons), Pectinidae, Cardiidae, and Veneridae. These, obviously, are the less popular families and will make COMPENDIUM even more useful for identification. Of added interest to the advanced collector is the Taxonomic Classification-Bibliography section of the book. A listing of all the major scientific journals and their publishers’ addresses will be useful for those looking to subscribe to some of them. The taxonomic classification outlines the mollusca down to the family level with the major genera cited. Within each family are listing of useful publica- tions and monographs that the reader can reference for further information about the group. Of course, after all is said and done, there will undoubtedly be those who criticize some of the nomenclatural classification of certain species, but a work of this size cannot be all things to all people. Abbott and Dance have been very conservative in their classification, tending to lump instead of split certain species. They have listed these shells as subspecies or synonyms, but ultimately the collector will decide how to classify the shell in his or her collection. The usefulness of COMPENDIUM can never be denied, and will stand as the best general reference for marine shells for many years. The list price is $50.00 and can be obtained through American Malacologists, Inc., P.O. Box 2255, Melbourne, FL. 32901, or your favorite conchological book dealer. Seashells of Oman SEASHELLS OF OMAN by Don & Eloise Bosch An area that has long been neglected in the conchological literature is the Arabian Peninsula/North Western Indian Ocean. Many shells from this area have been coming into the United States for some time, but there were no popular books to help identify the local and endemic species. This problem has been solved with the publication of SEASHELLS OF OMAN (Longman Group Limited, London) by Donald and Eloise Bosch. Don and Eloise are no newcomers to the shelling world, what with 27 years of collecting experience in Oman. They are responsible for the discovery of many new endemic species, some named for them. One of the most outstanding of these new species, Acteon eloiseae Abbott, 1973, graces the cover of this slick, hardcovered, 206 page volume. The book covers all species of shells likely to be encountered while reefcombing or diving for shell in Oman. Each species is grouped by family, giving Latin name, author and date described, and all pertinent information relative to the species (size, brief description, habitat, distribution and availability in Oman — common, uncommon, etc.). All plates are in color and illustrate shells actually found in Oman — in certain cases this means a few were illustrated as beach or dead- collected, probably not being found commonly in live condition. The text is on the same page as its illustration which quickens referencing the species. The introduction includes the typical information about shells, but in addition adds pertinent information about these topics that are peculiar to Oman. A map of Oman is included. The photography is very good, and in many cases illustrating many views of the same shell. As mentioned before, certain species have been pictured here for the first time in any popular literature. SEASHELLS OF OMAN is a must for any collector specializing in western Indian Ocean shells or building up a solid library of regional conchological books. It is available in the United States through Longman Inc., 19 West 44th Street, New York, N.Y. 10036. It lists for £16.50 or approximately U.S. $35.00 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:1 Te BST A & ae es si ee \ See : >| Bei Fey : j res * ‘£. Fig. 1. The front end of a red abalone, Haliotis rufescens, showing part of the epipodium with its tentacles and lacy, black fringe. Fig. 2. (above, right). This red abalone, photographed in the ocean off Santa Rosa Island, had been tagged for a research project. Photographs by Bill Hagey, CALIFORNIA SEASHELLS PART III: HALIOTIS (HALIOTIDAE) CHARLES GLASS & ROBERT FOSTER Outside of conchological circles, among the best known groups of shells are undoubtedly the abalones or members of the genus Haliotis. They are known partly for their decora- tive shells, used for souvenirs, ashtrays, shellcraft and even Mother-of-Pearl buttons, and for the delicious and increasingly rare delicacy, abalone steaks! The name, Haliotis, which dates officially from Linnaeus in 1758, is derived from the Greek works hali meaning “sea” and otos, “ear”. The “sea ears” are large, loosely coiled, rather flattened shells with a row of open and obsolete holes or vents along the left or outer margin of the shell which serve for water circulation. The interior of the shells is nacreous and highly ornamental for its iridescent silver, blue-green and pink toned “Mother-of-Pearl”. The interior may bear a “muscle scar” or rougher area where the muscle was attached. Both the excurrent openings and the nacreous interior are considered to be primitive charac- ters and, indeed, the family has been around for a long time, over a hundred million years. It is placed within the Super- family, Pleurotomariacea, along with “slit-shells”, another prim- itive, old group. One authority states that there are over 50 species of Haliotis, another that there are under a hundred, and a third that there are over 130 taxa (species and subspecies). This is unfortunately, frustratingly but necessarily vague, for not only do few authorities agree on which are synonyms, good species or merely subspecies, but new taxa keep coming up as well. The range of Haliotis from the British Isles and eastern Europe into the Mediterranean and down along the west coast of Africa, across the Indian Ocean through most of the western Pacific (not including Hawaii), up the eastern coast of the Soviet Union and along Alaska, down the west coast of North America to the tip of the Baja California peninsula. Except for an isolated and rare species which occurs around the Galapagos Islands off Ecuador, Haliotis dallii Henderson, 1915, there are no species known off the west coast of South America. In Chile, “locos” or “Chilean abalone” are prepared and eaten like abalone, but they are really a species of large Concholepas, not a true Haliotis. A small species, % to 1 inch in length, H. roberti, was named by H.J. McLean in 1970 from Cocos Island off Costa Rica, and, on the Atlantic side of the continent, H. pourtalesii Dall, 1881, ranges from off North Carolina around Florida and Texas and supposedly south to Brazil, but otherwise there are probably no species to be found along the east coast of North and South America. We say “probably” because there is still a lot of South American coastline to be explored. H. barbouri was named by Foster (not our R. Foster) in 1946 for an empty shell found at Praia de Copacabana, Brazil, but this is thought to have been merely a specimen of a Polynesian species which did not occur there naturally. Fig. 3. An old abalone shell found in an Indian midden on one of the Santa Barbara Channel Islands. Photo Bill Hagey. MARCH 1983/No. 29 Though the range is large, most species are small and relatively insignificant (except to shell collectors). Only off South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and California are there species large enough to be of commercial importance. In Australia, which has the largest number of species, the common name for the local species is “mutton fish” or “ear shell”; New Zealanders call theirs “paua’; in South Africa it’s “Venus ear shell” or the Afrikaaner “perlemoen” and in England theyre “ormer’. The Japanese name is “awabi’. In California they are called, of course, abalone, and California is blessed with the greatest number of large species, 7 or 8 (again depending on your authority) relatively large, edible types of abs! The taking of abalone (or in SCUBA lingo, “popping abs”) is strictly regulated by the Fish and Game Department. A fishing license is required of any person over 16 years of age. There is a daily limit which currently is only 4 in any combination of species. Abalone may be taken only during the day (a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset) and may be taken only by hand or by a device called an abalone iron similar to an automobile leaf spring, less than 36 inches long and not less than three-quarters of an inch wide or than 1/16th of an inch thick. One reason for the specified thickness is that abalones are “hemophiliacs” with no mech- anism to coagulate the blood, and as they may be easily wounded with a knife or similar sharp tool, they may bleed to death. One removes or “pops” an abalone by quickly sliding the iron under the shell and foot and levering up (not down). One must be reasonably fast or else the animal will clamp down with about 400 lbs. of pressure per square inch, enough to bend most irons! Red abs must be a minimum of 7 inches long; pink, white or green abalones must be at least 6 inches long; blacks 5 and all others 4 inches. They may not be taken by SCUBA but only by free diving north of Yankee Point in Monterey County, California. We should not leave the subject of collecting live abalone without at least some discussion of preparation for eating this marine escargot! The regulations stipulate that abalones not attached to the shell may not be transported or possessed except when being prepared for immediate consumption. To prepare it for consumption, one may remove the animal either with an ab iron, knife or even tough fingers. The viscera may easily be removed by trimming the skin around the top of the muscle which is the bulk of the animal and cutting a deeper notch around the animal's business end. The epipodium, or lacy fringe bearing tentacles and sensory pro- cesses which encircles the foot, should be removed and then the rest of the muscle including the sole of the foot trimmed (or skinned). The muscle is then sliced up into 4” thich “steaks”. These must then be pounded quite thoroughly. The authors subscribe to the belief that one cannot over-pound an abalone steak, as long as one can still pick up the laced product! These pounded steaks may then be frozen or cooked immediately. We also prefer to wash the steaks as much as possible to remove most of the slime! There are many recipes for preparing abalone but the simplest and in our opinion the best is simply to bread the steaks in eggs and corn-flake crumbs, fry in a hot, well- buttered pan for only 30 seconds on a side, and then liberally brush with melted butter and lemon juice. Enough for the gastronomical aspects of these gastropods! Being shell col- lectors, eating abalone steaks is only a means to an end: a tasteful way of removing the animal from the shell, to prepare the shell for the collection! CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 9 Abalone cleaning is not an easy procedure. The best cleaned abalone shells we have seen were prepared by our friend, “Rare-Oil” John Phillips, so we think it worthwhile to publish “The John Phillips Method for Cleaning Worldwide Species of Abalone (Haliotis)”: 1. After collecting the Abalone, allow empty shell to dry naturally in sunlight; this is a procedure that allows the various marine encrustation to fully dry. 2. Use a hand wire brush to strip back of shell from all loosely-clinging marine debris. 3. Use a hammer or hatchet to knock all barracles and tube worms from back of shell. 4. Some folks hand pick the tough debris and lime encrusta- tions from the back of the shell, but I personally prefer to use a bench, electric grinder/buffer with wire brushes attached to the motor. This will remove the very worst types of ‘crud’. Grind everything from the back of the shell right down to the natural surface of the specimen. At this point, on many world- wide species of Haliotis, including several of our California species, you will notice a brown-colored ‘skin’, or periostracum, remaining on the shell. The next step will remove this! Caution: Do not strive to remove periostracum with any type of acid!!! 5. Next, place the shells in a bath of straight Purex or any household Bleach; I like to use the very strongest bleaching agent, which is pool chlorine. These may all be purchased at any hardware or grocery store, or at a swimming pool supply building. 6. Always use rubber gloves when handling anything that is cleaned with bleach or acid! After allowing the shells to soak in the bleach for one half hour to perhaps one full hour on some species, remove the shells and wash thoroughly with fresh water. Incidentally, all of these cleaning steps, from step one forward, should be carried out in well ventilated areas; furthermore, gloves and gauze masks should be worn, espe- cially when grinding the debris from the backs of the shells. 7. After a decent and thorough washing with fresh water, use a paint brush, or an acid brush (available at hardware stores), and paint on one coating of muriatic acid (also available at most hardware stores) on back of shell. The initial reaction will cause a bubbling and fizzing on the surface of the shell; this is done to bring out subtle, underlying coloration in the shell, not for removing any encrustations. After one-only coating of acid on the back of the shell, turn the specimen over and pour a small amount of acid into the interior of the shell, directly onto the mother-of-pearl. Use your rubber gloves and smear the reacting acid all over the interior with your fingertips. This step is for removal of all discoloration and staining from the lovely mother-of-pearl. Sometimes it is necessary to repeat the above step several times on the interior of the shell; the way to tell is to allow the reaction to run its course, then wash the interior off with fresh water and eyeball the mother-of-pearl for satisfactory or unsatisfactory results. Remember: always have plenty of fresh water handy while using muriatic acid, as the water will neutralize any undesir- able reactions on shell or skin. 8. After the acid procedures, allow the shells to dry in direct ‘sunlight, then brush on any type of mineral oil on the inside and outside of the shell. Allow shells to sit for awhile with the messy oil on them; this gives the shell a chance to fully absorb certain quantities of oil into its pores. Afterwards, wipe the excess oil off with a cloth and you have beautiful spec- imens ready for any spot in the home or collection. The PAGE 10 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:1 coating of mineral oil should be repeated as necessary (when- ever the shell takes on a dried-out, dull appearance). We also think that a key of both the living animals and the shells of the California species would be of value both to the sportsman and conchologist: KEY TO THE CALIFORNIA SPECIES OF HALIOTIS A. Epipodium black; shell black on exterior or with red margin on inside edge: B. Shell large, 7-10+"” long, wavy, brick red, with elevated holes; interior with large muscle scar and red margin: FO sigs ae acy gee at Se Etat te ae Canara H. rufescens BB. Shell small, 3-7 (mostly 5)’’ long, smooth, black, holes flush; interior pearly white,without muscle scar: ... H. cracherodii AA. Epipodium mottled black and white or yellowish, greenish or brownish; shell not black and without red margin inside: C. Epipodium lacy, mottled black and white; shell with pro- nounced spiral and diagonal ridges producing corrugated Gffeeti Ts sees ees ke te eee ae ee ee eee H. corrugata CC. Epipodium yellowish to greenish to brownish; shell without both pronounced spiral and diagonal ridges: D. Interior of shell with prominent muscle scar and dark blue-green iridescence. ................. H. fulgens DD. Interior of shell without muscle scar, with pearly white iridescence: E. Shell relatively undulate: F. Shell exterior reddish brown, not mottled; often 6” long or more sad Bt acces GehGs cies seers < abe ee Renae H. sorensoni FF. Shell exterior reddish brown mottled with white and blue; 6” maximum length Bo: Domne a: Vibe dae 9 meee bt OM: H. kamschatana G. Shell relatively high, oval: ...... H. assimilis GG. Shell low, rather flattened, elongate: Oa OR Re Bees: H. walallensis Haliotis rufescens Swainson, 1822, the “Red Abalone’, is the largest species of Haliotis; it is also the largest gastropod found in California waters and commercially it is the most exploited. The annual commercial harvesting of red abs for the years 1965 to 1974 was eighteen hundred and forty tons a year! Red abalones are being grown under controlled, artificial conditions but it is not yet economically feasible to grow them on to harvestable size under mariculture. Exper- iments are being performed to try to farm the small shells out in plots in the ocean, but this too is both an expensive and risky venture. The largest known Haliotis rufescens approaches 12 inches in maximum diameter but a 9 or 10 inch shell is rare indeed these days and one is rather lucky just to find shells that are over the 7” minimal size sport limit (or 744” commercial limit). Habitat depth range is given as extending from inter- tidal in the northern portion of the distribution to a maximum depth of 540 ft.! Maximum concentrations undoubtedly occur intertidally to 60 or 80 ft. The distribution ranges from Coos Bay or Sunset Bay, Oregon to Tortuga Bay, Baja California, but the species is more common in the northern half of this range, perhaps partly at least because of commercial collect- ing pressures. In southern California red abs may still fairly easily be found near Point Conception and Coho Anchorage and off Santa Rosa and San Miguel islands. Between Point Conception and Monterey, the return' of the sea otter has pretty well eliminated the red abalone, but in becomes plentiful north of San Francisco, particularly in Mendocino County. Fig. 4. Haliotis rufescens, “red abalone”, a 7%” specimen, brick red with paler bands, the banding apparently caused by change of diet. Fig. 5. H. rufescens, interior of shell pictured in figure 4. Fig. 6. Haliotis corrugata, “pink abalone” this 6%” specimen, brown- ish with paler bluish and reddish bands, (Abbey Specimen Shell #81- 122) was taken in 40-50 ft. of San Clemente Island. oe MARCH 1983/No. 29 Fig. 7. Haliotis sorensoni, “white abalone”, a 6%, pinkish brick-red shell (AbS 81-3429), from deep water off San Clemente Island. Fig. 8. Haliotis fulgens, “green abalone”, a 7” shell (AbS 81-2802) from Portuguese Bend, California. Fig. 9. H. fulgens, interior of shell pictured in figure 8. Many consider this species the most beautiful for its dark blue-green iridescence. CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 11 The shell is rather lumpy and undulating and generally a dull, reddish brown, occasionally with pink, whitish or green- ish banding. Color is thought to be a result of diet, red shells feeding predominantly on red algae. There are generally 3 to 4 elevated, open holes. There is a narrow margin of red inside the edge of the shell which makes identification fairly easy. The exterior of the shell is often attacked by a boring yellow sponge, Cliona celata, which can eventually disintegrate the entire shell! The inside is an iridescent silver with shades of greens and blues and a prominent muscle scar. The epipodium is dark gray to black. Haliotis corrugata Wood, 1828, the “pink abalone” is the species most commonly collected these days around the Santa Barbara Channel Islands. As is pointed out in the California Fish and Game Department's “Guide to Common Southern California Abalone”, the “pink abalone” is usually everything but pink; in Mexico it is referred to as the “yellow abalone”. The external shell color ranges from dull green to reddish brown and is sculptured by strong spiral and diagonal ridges which give it its characteristic corrugated appearance. There are 2 to 4 open holes on tubular projections. The shells sup- posedly may attain a maximum length of about 10 inches but 6 inch shells are average and the legal minimum size. The shell shape is almost circular. The interior iridescence is pre- dominantly pink, which is probably what gave the species its perplexing common name. There is a prominent muscle scar with green and pink iridescence. The epipodium of the live animal is lacy and mottled black and white which offers the easiest means of identification of the live animal, along with the corrugated texture of the shell exterior. Pink abs are usually found in giant kelp (Macrocystis) beds and feed on various types of drifting algae. They are most common in 20 to 80 feet of water but may occur as deep as 180 ft. The range is from Point Conception west of Santa Barbara to Asuncion Island and Turtle Bay in central Baja California. Orcutt named a variety diegoensis in 1919 but it is generally not recognized as distinct. In the early 70’s the annual commercial catch of pinks averaged only 205 tons but in the 50’s it peaked at 1,750 tons in one year! While young pinks will graze, mature animals will occupy a permanent position on a rock and feed by capturing algae which drifts by. With the amount of sport diving which is done around the Channel Islands the pink abs are becom- ing increasingly scarce. We have visited some areas, such as San Pedro Point at the east end of Santa Cruz Island, where in 1981 H. corrugata were abundant in only 30 ft. of water, but in 1982 they were uncommon except at depths over 50 ft.! Haliotis sorensoni Bartsch, 1940 is commonly referred to as the white abalone, presumably because of the pearly white nacreous interior of the shell which is without muscle scar. The shell is reddish brown with diagonal undulations and fine spiral ribbing. There are 3 to 5 open holes on tubular pro- jections. The epipodium of the live animal is beige, lacy and mottled with yellowish green. The white ab is a fairly deep water species, rarely found under 70 ft. (though a few have been taken in 30 to 40 feet off some of the Channel Islands, such as the backside of Anacapa). They are typically found in 80 to 100 ft., but may occur at 150 to 200 ft. They range from Point Conception to Asuncion Island in central Baja California, basically the same range as H. corrugata, but they are more common around the islands. Also, like H. corrugata, the legal minimal size limit is 6 inches. The meat is said to be so tender that pounding is not necessary! Haliotis fulgens Philippi, 1845 is referred to in California PAGE 12 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:1 Fig. 10. Haliotis cracherodii, “black abalone”, a 6”, exceedingly rare orange-brown form of this common species, AbS 81-057 from the tip of Point Conception in 6 to 10 ft. of water. Fig. 11. Haliotis walallensis, “flat abalone’, a 4%” shell (AbS 81-065) from 90-120 ft., under rocks, at Coho Anchorage near Pt. Conception. Fig. 12. Haliotis kamschatkana, a specimen just under 4” long (AbS 81-2741) from 20 ft. off Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. as “green abalone”; in Mexico it is known as “blue abalone”. Again, the color seemingly refers to the principal iridescence which in the case of H. fulgens is a rich bluish green. There is a well developed muscle scar. The exterior of the shell is brown to olive green to reddish brown or greenish brown, relatively low, sculptured with fine spiral ribs and perforated with 5 to 7 slightly raised, roundish holes. Like H. corrugata, shells may attain a maximum length of 10 inches but 5 to 8 inch shells are typical and 6 inches is the minimal size limit. The epipodium is scalloped and olive-green mottled with brown and with beige green tentacles. The green ab is basically a shallow water species, generally found in 10 to 20 ft, seldom deeper than 25 to 30 ft. but occasionally.as deep as 60 or even 80 ft. We have found it to be quite common under boulders and in crevices, with moray eels and eel grass, in only 3 to 6 feet of turbid water around “boiler rocks” along the south end of San Clemente Island. Apparently their depth range is dependent upon the pre- sence of red algae. The geographical range is from Point Conception to Magdalena Bay, Baja California. There is a subspecies guadalupensis Talm. which is smaller and some- times recognized, but H. splendens Reeve, 1846, H. revea Bartsch, 1942 and H. turveri Bartsch, 1942 are generally regarded as straight synonyms. Haliotis cracherodii Leach, 1814, the “black abalone” is the easiest California species to recognize because of its smooth, black shell and the holes which are flush rather than elevated. (Novice divers will sometimes mistake the giant keyhole limpet, Megathura crenulata with it black mantle for the black ab!) It is also the least desirable to the western palate because of the relative toughness of the dark meat, tough because of its extremely shallow, intertidal habitat where presumably it has to hang on tighter in the rough surf. It is a popular delicacy in China and Japan and some accredit this popularity with saving the ailing abalone induatry which has resorted more to blacks as reds became scarcer. The shell exterior is typically pitch-black, occasionally dark bluish green and we even have some exceedingly rare spec- imens which are a beautiful orange-brown! Shells are often quite eroded and a “gem” specimen is hard to come by. The interior is pearly white and without obvious muscle scar. The epipodium is black. As stated above, the 6 to 8 or 9 open holes are flush with the smooth exterior of the shell. There is a subspecies, californiensis Swainson, 1822 from Guadalupe Island which differs by having 12 to 16 small, open holes, but interestingly when this variant is grown in the laboratory under conditions similar to those under which the typical form grows, it loses this distinction. H. c. bonita Orcutt, H. c. splendidula Williamson and H. c. lusus Finlay are considered synonyms. H. c. hotxneri Hemphill and H. c. imperforata Dall are just forms with no open holes. H. cracherodii occur from Coos Bay, Oregon to the tip of the Baja California peninsula, on and under rocks and in crevices from intertidal or shallow subtidal to 10 or 20 ft. deep. One may often find them in dense colonies, sometimes 3 or 4 deep on top of each other! Exceptionally large spec- imens may reach 7 inches in length, but 3 to 5” is average and 5” is the legal minimum size limit. Large, brown algae is the preferred diet. Haliotis walallensis Stearns, 1899, the “flat abalone”, has an exceedingly beautiful colored shell, brick red with white, blue and/or blue-green mottling and longitudinal striations. The shell is rather flat and elongated in shape; there are 4 to 8 (usually 5-6) slightly raised, open holes. The interior is pearly MARCH 1983/No. 29 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 13 white and without muscle scar. The epipodium is lacy and yellowish green with large brown and yellow splotches. The “flat ab” is rather rare, occurs principally from British Co- lumbia to Carmel Bay, but may be found along the entire California coast, usually at depths form 20 to 70 or 90 ft., under or on rocks where it lives on small algae. Most of the shells of this species in our collection were taken in 60 to 120 ft. off Coho Anchorage near Point Conception. A shell may reach 7” in length but 3 to 5” shells are average and 4” the legal minimum. Haliotis kamschatkana Jonas, 1845, the “pinto abalone’, is the species with which we, personally are the least familiar. It is basically a northern, colder water species but it does sup- posedly occur as far south as Point Conception, California (we interject supposedly because this may be a reference to H. assimilis which is often treated as a subspecies of kam- schatkana and which does, indeed, occur at Point Conception. The shells of the pinto ab are ridged, lumpy and relatively thin, reddish brown mottled with white and blue markings. There are 3 to 6 (generally 5) open, slightly raised holes and 6 inches is given as the maximum length, 4” the legal minimum. The interior is pearly white and without muscle scar. Some references give Sitka, Alaska as the northern edge of the range, others Japan. . . and with a name like “kam- schatkana” we would tend to buy the latter range with the species occurring along the eastern coast of the U.S.S.R.! In the northern portion of its range it occurs intertidally, in relatively warmer waters in 35 to 50 or 80 ft. The epipodium is tan to greenish brown. Haliotis assimilis Dall, 1878, the “threaded abalone” is, in our opinion, the most beautiful — and certainly the most variable in color and pattern — of the local abs. It is hard to describe the quality in words, but exceptional forms are like criss-crossed rainbows of color! The basic shell colors are described as red-green and blue-green areas with white splotches on broad ribs. Orange banding also occurs but is exceedingly rare and choice. The banding may be longitu- dinal, lateral or both, or may appear in flecking or shading .. . no two are alike! The shell is fairly heavy and longitudinally ridged, and rather high. There are 3 or 4 to 6 raised aper- tures. The maximum length is given as 5”; our largest shell is | Fig. 13. Haliotis assimilis, “threaded abalone”, a 5%” specimen from 60-120 ft. on rock reef at Coho Anchorage. Fig. 14. H. assimilis, interior of shell pictured in figure 13. 6” long. The legal minimal length for collecting is 4’. The interior is pearly white with faint pink and green inridescence and no muscle scar. The epipodium is yellowish with brown blotches. It occurs in 10 to 120 ft. from central California to central Baja Californis, but the only ones we have seen are from off Point Conception and Coho Anchorage in 60 to 120 ft. H. aulaea Bartsch and H. smithsoni Bartsch are listed as possible synonyms. H. assimilis is sometimes treated as a sub- species of H. kamschatkana. We find that difficult to accept. . but then, we prefaced this discussion of H. kamschatkana with the admission that we don't know much about it! REFERENCES: Abbott, R. Tucker, 1964. American Seashells. Van Nostrand, New York. Morris, R.H., D.P. Abott & E.C. Haderlie et al., 1980. Inter- tidal Invertebrates of California. Stanford, CA. McLean, James H., 1969. Marine Shells of Southern California. Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, CA. Huisveld, P., K. Schmitt, M. & R. Howard, 1975. Abalone, from sea to saucepan. San Diego, CA. Gotshall, D.W. & L.L. Laurent, 1979. Pacific Coast Subtidal Marine Invertebrates, A Fishwatchers Guide. Los Osos, CA. THOMAS HONKER Specimen Shells P.O. Box 1011 25 N.E. 10th Street Delray Beach, Florida 33444 Phone 305—276-9658 Free lists. Caribbean specialist Large stock worldwide shells _ Finest Quality-H1MS-ISGS grading Friendly and Personalized service Want lists, inquines invited, Donald Dan Selected Specimen Shells PO, Box 3332 Oak Brook, IL 60521 VOLUME 11:1 Large selection of acrylic displays Chicago Suburb-For Visits, Call (312)963-7551 Inquiries Welcome-No Lists THE WORLD'S MOST COMPLETE OFFERING OF SHELLS FROM THE PANAMIC PROVINCE The Panamic Province includes the Pacific side of tropical America from west Mexico to Ecuador CATALOG KYoWl of-(o f= o) mt] d=) hoy ac-1e-Xe Mal VIS send $1 (refundable on first order) especially for shells and minerals. wholesale only VENUS DISPLAYS 10713 ASHBY AVE. Los Angeles, Ca. 90064 PANAMIC SPECIMEN SHELLS - 3846 E. HIGHLAND e PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85018 USA Over 3,000 species regularly in stock! We will select your shells as if they were for our own collection. . . .and we’re very very, picky! Bob Foster & Charles Glass Ope aes Specimen Shells P.O. Box 3010 Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (805) 963-3228 1231 So. Harbor Blud La Habra CA OPS TR tes SHELL SHELTER * WORLD WIDE SHELLS — SPECIMEN QUALITY LARGEST SELECTION OF RARE SHELLS ON WEST COAST SPECIMENS SOLD RECENTLY AND USUALLY IN STOCK INCLUDE — Cyp, broderipii, valentia, vredenburgi, sakurai, guttata, kuroharai, joyceae, rosselli. Conus crocatus, dusaveli, neptunus, cervus, milneedwardsii, proximus, architha- lassus, armadillo. Murex phydlopterus, loebbecki, laqueatus, marumai. Spondylus gloriosus. Pleurotomaria rumphii,\ schmalzi. Voluta taiwanica, kawamurai, coni- formis, perplicata, rossiniana and many more. — NO LISTS — PLEASE SEND FOR WANTS (213) 836-3177 Advertising in the Bulletin is pre- sented as a service to our member- ship, but does not automatically im- ply Bulletin endorsement of the ad- vertisers. Advertising space is avail- able at the rate of $60.00 for a half page; yearly rate (4X): $225.00; quarter page: $40.00; yearly rate: $150.00; eighth page: $25.00; year- ly rate: $90.00; minimum ad (1’): $15.00; yearly rate: $55.00. Except for the minimum size ads, camera- ready copy is preferred and copy may be changed for any issue. Dead- lines are month prior to publication months (ie., by January 31st for the March Bulletin, etc.) Send advertis- ing copy and fees to The Editor, box 3010, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. MARCH 1983/No. 29 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 15 JOEL GREENE TOURS COME JOIN US IN THE SHELLING ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME! for 1983: 15-20 days The Philippines/Hong Kong May 22 23 days Fiji/New Zealand/Australia-Great Barrier Reef July 24 LA CONCHIGLA - A CLASSIC Since 1969, devoted to worldwide Malacology and Conchology Bimonthly magazine in color English and Italian Editions Subscription rates: $12.00 U.S. by surface mail $18.00 U.S. by air for U.S.A. Inquire about back numbers available Address: Via C. Federici 1 00147, Rome (Italy) The C.O.A. Bulletin staff recommends to our subscribers that they join the Hawaiian Malacological Society and receive their excellent monthly publication, HAWAIIAN SHELL NEWS one of the best and most popular publications in the shell world. Annual dues, including subscription to the magazine, is $16.00 in the U.S. It is recommended that you add $4.00 for Ist class delivery (U.S., Mexico and Canada) or add $8.50 for airmail. Send your check or bank cheque to: Hawaiian Malacological Society, Box 10391, Honolulu, Hawaii 96816. BSB ES oe JOEL GREEN TOURS Phil-Am Travel Agency, Inc. 210 Post St. San Francisco, CA 94108 write for free color brochure 22762 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California 90265 RARE SHELLS OUR SPECIALITY Largest stock of world-wide specimens on the West Coast. Plus unique and beautiful fine art, carvings, handicrafted Jewelry, Weavings - all related to the Sea. RETAIL ONLY - No Lists or Catalogues We do our best to answer specific request sent by mail. For a truly delightful experience - Visit the Tidepool! Ask any collector PAGE 16 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN RARE AND EXOTIC SPECIMEN SHELLS for the discriminating collector Free price list MAL DE MER ENTERPRISES P.O. Box 482 792 Evergreen Drive West Hempstead, New York 11552, U.S.A. Phone: (516) 481-0456 VOLUME 11:1 = WORLDWIDE oa } SHELLS .. =f YOUR ONESTOP... ¢ MARINE & LAND ay 1 ge, SHELL COLLECT y & ')) BUY * SELL * EXCHANGE, ./ HMS—ISGS GRADING, AND <9” FOR YOUR FREE LIST WRITE: Richard Goldberg’s World Wide Specimen Shells 49-77 Fresh Meadow Lane Flushing, N.Y. 11365 | U.S.A. PHILLIP W. CLOVER Dealer in World Wide Sea Shells since 1960 Specializing ww in Latiaxis, Murex, Morums, Marginella Mitra, Conus, Cypraea, Voluta, Cancellaria, Typhis, Trophons, and out of print Sea Shell Books. Phone # 707-996-6960 Write for Free Price Lists. P.O. Box 83 - Glen Ellen - Calif. 95442 House of Quality and Service RICHARD M. KURZ. INC. 1575 NORTH 118th STREET WAUWATOSA, WI 53226 U.S.A. Dealer in Fine and Rare Specimen Shells of Superior Quality The very best shells, at the very best prices WRITE FOR FREE PRICE LIST SHELLS BOUGHT, SOLD AND TRADED LARGEST MAIL ORDER SEASHELL DEALER IN THE U.S.A. JUNE, 1983 Pr =e, iceman ee ¢ iy { re tS | . — i- (ee | 4 - ——s ~ -CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOL. 11, NO. 2 PAGE 18 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:2 > : it Stig —_— CONCHOLOGISTS es {OF AMERICA, ING. A EGoliective Devotion To dvancing- Gonchology. | In 1972, a group of shell collectors saw the need for a national organization devoted to the interests of shell collectors. Thus, CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA, INC. was formed — for amateur collectors interested in the beauty of shells, their scientific aspects and the collecting and preservation of mollusks. The membership includes novices, as well as advanced collectors, scientists and shell dealers from around the country and world. An annual convention is held each year in a different part of the country. OFFICERS President: Richard H. Jones; 1432 Dorsh Road, South Euclid, Ohio 44121 Vice-President: Richard Forbush; 1104 Sklar Dr. E., Venice, Florida 33595 Secretary/Historian: Mrs. Jay Tripp 212 Connecting Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228 Treasurer: Clair Stahl 3235 N.E. 61st Ave., Portland, Oregon 97213 Membership Chairperson: Phyllis Pipher 1116 N Street, Tekamah, Nebraska 86061 Trophy Chairperson: Anne Joffe 1163 Kittiwake Circle, Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 BULLETIN STAFF Editor: Charles Glass Box 3010, Santa Barbara, California 93105 Managing Editor: Robert Foster Box 3010, Santa Barbara, California 93105 al 6The BULLETIN is an ofee! publication of the CONCHOLOGISTS OF a AMERICA INC.,, published quarterly in March, June, September, and December M1 by Abbey Garden Press, 1675 Las Canoas Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Bs Second Class Postage pending at Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Postmaster: send ba address changes to Abbey Garden Press, box 3010, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. MEMBERSHIP DUES INDIVIDUAL (per year) $7.50; FAMILY (receiving one Bulletin) $10.00; OVERSEAS (Air Mail Postage) $10.00; Send check or money order to the TREASURER (address above); ***Any other membership problems should be addressed to the MEMBERSHIP CHAIRPERSON, Phyllis Pipher, 1116 N Street, Tekamah, Nebraska, 68061. a — eer ae a ne eran a ein ee tte tetetet, 8 0.0 0 0 8 0 0 0 002 0's 0-0 0 e 8 0 00” esetececorecero 8c oro ce ol ete neta aaa ea a a ata aaa oP aPa MRC IRR ERE COVER PLATE: Murex (Siratus) alabaster, another painting by Patty McGeeney of Los Angeles, this one in the collection of Marty Beals. LA CONCHIGLA - A CLASSIC Since 1969, devoted to worldwide Malacology and Conchology Bimonthly magazine in color English and Italian Editions Subscription rates: $12.00 U.S. by surface mail $18.00 U.S. by air for U.S.A. Inquire about back numbers available Address: Via C. Federici 1 00147, Rome (Italy) PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE CONVENTION SHELL AUCTION One of the fun events of the convention is our shell auction. This is the only COA fund raiser other than dues. The proceeds of the auction go to support the Bulletin, the COA award and our scholar- ship. This is our appeal to you, our members, for your support of the auction. Most of us have specimen shells or other hobby related items that we could contribute to support of COA activities. If you have duplicate material (and you surely do) pack it up and send it off to: R.H. Jones, 1432 Dorsh Rd., South Euclid, Ohio 44121. We would like to get your material well before the convention so it can be lotted and an auction catalog prepared. Don’t procrastinate! Send your contribution now! Help your organization! Thanks in advance. WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE COLLECT STAMPS? It has been estimated that there are several million stamp collectors in the United States. No other collecting hobby has attracted more than a fraction of this number. Why? A year or so ago an editorial in a leading stamp journal took a shot at answering this question. The writer felt that the reason stamp collecting outdrew other collecting hobbies was because it had features that other hobbies lacked. Included in the features which that writer felt necessary, if people were to participate in a collecting hobby, were: e = The availability of standard catalogs with prices. e The availability of books and periodicals oriented to the hobby. e Standards of quality. Dealers in materials and supplies. e The ability to accommodate different personal tastes in collecting. e The opportunity to specialize. The person who wrote the editorial felt that stamp collecting had all these attributes while others of the collecting hobbies lacked many, if not all, of the listed features. Shell collecting has all the listed — features. Thus it is not at all obvious why stamp collecting numbers its devotees in the millions and shell collecting’s devotees number in only the tens of thousands. What is the missing ingredient in our hobby that restricts its propularity? Or perhaps there is a feature of shell collecting that turns people off. Several things have been suggested that may limit the attractive- ness of shell collecting. One is portability. With shells one, generally speaking, must go to the collection. You can stick a fairly extensive stamp collection under your arm and go where you wish. Another is our general practice of using the scientific names of the shells we collect. Does this practice drive off the novice, the life blood of any hobby? While there is lots of literature available much of it is hard to obtain. Does this discourage would be collectors? One vexing area is the difficulty in finding collecting supplies. I know of no dealer that carries any sort of a stock of the supplies and tools useful and necessary to pursuit of the hobby. Is this a factor in the popularity of shell collecting? Why doesn’t shell collecting have millions of ad- herents? Are there steps which we, as collectors, our local shell clubs and our national (or international if you will) organizations should be taking to increase the participation in our hobby? What are these steps? Or perhaps, as some have suggested, the hobby is big enough as it is. Things are fine as they are. What are your ideas? Let us know! Good Shelling Dick IN OUR NEXT ISSUE: Aside from our regular features, “Shells for the Amateur’, “Shells in Print”, “C.O.A. Grand Trophy Winners” and “California Seashells”, we will have articles on shelling in the Marshall Islands and on shelling in Florida scallop dumps (which is more fun than it may sound), among others. JUNE 1983 _ CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 19 Fig. 1. Vasum (Altivasum) flindersi Verco, from Freemantle, W. Australia, collected in a lobster pot at 600 ft., the largest of the Indo- Pacific Vasidae, this shell a lovely pink color. Shown natural size. Fig. 2. (below). Cerithium (Pseudovertagus) clava Gmelin, one of the largest and very uncommon species; this shell, shown natural size, was taken in June of 1980 in 100 ft. off Tahiti. SHELLS FOR THE AMATEUR iby C. GLASS & R. FOSTER _ Fig. 3. Dorsal, ventral and side views of two specimens of the very | uncommon “frog shell”, Bursa marginata Gmelin; these shells, approx. | 28 & 29 mm long, were taken in 100 m off Cayar, Senegal. PAGE 20 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:2 C.0.A. GRAND TROPHY WINNERS 4 i ce ee Atat s ee Fig. 1. Louise and Doug Compton display their C.O.A. Grand Trophy by their prize-winning exhibit, “Shells and Man Through the Ages”, at the Georgia Shell Show this past March. The Georgia Shell Show, at Cumberland Mall in Marietta, GA., March 11, 12, 13. Winners: Mr. & Mrs. William D. Compton Title of display: Shells and Man Through the Ages. “We have had the idea for years, and finally put it together where we were happy with it”, said Louise and Doug. The exhibit showed how in the past man has used shells for ornaments, industry, arts and craft, communication, money, and religion. They also dealt with the North American Indians using shells extensively. Also shown were shell related activities, such as collecting shells, and shells on stamps today. The Comptons also won the Exhibitors’ Award for this exhibit. St. Petersburg Shell Club, Inc. 36th Annual Shell Show, Feb. 25-27, 1983, St. Petersburg, Florida Winner: Mary L. Hillenbrand Display: Principal Tertiary Units in South Florida Fossil mollusks of south Florida with complete information con- cerning Florida stratigraphy during the Miocene, Pliocene and Ple- istocene periods. Each species is categoried in a particular geographic unit described in the display. Mary and husband, Peter, have been collecting fossil mollusks for approximately 4 years. They have self-collected all but a few in the collection which includes 14 cases and when displayed has a total Fig. 2. Mary Hillenbrand, proud winner of the C.O.A. Grand Trophy, at the 36th annual St. Petersburg Shell Show. SSF A at Sxopilonse te the) Bitetendirg $ xhiher tn «ee So iis 4 ve q ie. Fitarestre Sheil Rha Hawt measurement of 48 feet. Mary and Peter are members of the Sarasota Shell Club, originally collecting living specimens of Florida and the Caribbean. Through an invitation of another club member to try fossil collecting, they became hooked on this different kind of shelling. Since then fossil collecting has been a learning experience, especially for Mary who is a native Floridian and prepared the award winning display. Palm Beach County Shell Show, West Palm Beach., Florida. Feb 17, 18, 19, 20. Winner: Anita Blondin Title of display: Spondylus americanus “The Chrysanthemum Shell“ The display showed the spondylus in its habitat on a small coral reef, it showed different surfaces the spondylus will attached itself to, listed and displayed the different enemies, showed the different functions of the spines, and one case of beautiful specimens of Spondylus americanus. Anita originally came from Mass. She joined The Shell Club in 1975. Has been an active member, she has been secretary, field Trip Chairperson, Raffle Chairperson and Shell Show Chairperson four times, twice by herself and twice as part of a committee. Anita will be shell show chairperson in 1984. Her favorite shells are the Bivalvia, especially pectens. After winning this C.O.A. award I'm sure she will always treasure her Spondylus americanus. in das Fig. 3 (left). Anita Blondin is presented the C.O.A. award by Ed Petuch at the Palm Beach County Shell Show. Fig. 4. (right). Dale Lent displays the trophy he won for his “Oceans of Shells” at the Central Florida Shell Club Show. Central Florida Shell Club Show, Orlando, Florida, March 4-6, 1983. winner: Dale Lent title of display: Oceans of Shells Eleven cases total divided into eastern Pacific, central Pacific, western Pacific, Indian Ocean, eastern Atlantic, and western Atlantic Oceans. Each case had 20-25 specimens selected for their beauty, color and shape and were arranged fan-shaped for additional interest. Dale Lent, age 45, is a school teacher. In that capacity, he has enjoyed 8 years in Hawaii, and 6 years (to the present) is enjoying the sunshine and shelling in Florida (particularly in the lower keys). He is a certified SCUBA diver with 22 years of experience, but enjoys collecting by just about any of the regular methods. Trading self- collected Hawaiian, eastern Pacific and Florida shells was the method used to obtain most of his world-wide collection. After arriving in Honolulu in 1961 he joined the Hawaiian Malacological Society and was elected later as vice-president of the club. He also served on its board of directors. In Florida he has been elected president of the Central Florida Shell Club twice, served on the board of directors 4 years and at present is the editor of their “Shell News”. JUNE 1983 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 21 Cypraea gracilis Gaskoin, 1848 - a rostrate form from Tryon Island, | Capricorn Group, Queensland, Australia. Photo by Richard L. Goldberg. i} | it ! A RARE ROSTRATE | by RICHARD L. GOLDBERG Among the most sought-after Cypraea are the melanistic | and rostrated forms found only in southern New Caledonia | and the Capicorn Group and Keppel Islands, Queensland. Much hypothesizing has been done on the causes for such | aberrations, but no conclusive answers have arisen. This group of Cypraea is not only rare because of the restricted locality, but because not all of the cowries of one species will exhibit the melanism or rostration in one location. Many articles have been written on New Caledonia forms and, in fact, one whole book is devoted to the subject. The Australian cowries exhibiting the melanistic-rostrate syndrome, | on the other-hand, have had little or no focus placed on | them. The species found with some or total aberration include _Cypraea felina, arabica and gracilis macula. A rostrated form of the latter is illustrated here. This very rare form is 23 mm in length, and the dorsum is a bluish green base color, speckled with brown. The base is sunken in as many rostrated specimens exhibit. It was collected by divers off Tryon Island, Capricorn Group, Queensland. | Of extreme interest on this specimen is the darkening of | the anterior and posterior canals, a characteristic not common /to the normal form of Cypraea gracilis macula. It is interest- ing to point out that in many melanistic forms of Cypraea the bases tend to be paler with the dark pigmentation restricted | to the dorsum. Could this have been the start of the animal adding pigmentation to the base? This remains to been seen, as are many other questions about this odd and interesting | group. THE PHILADELPHIA SHELL SHOW The Philadelphia Shell Club is presenting its first shell show October 1 and 2, 1983 at the Great Hall, James Creese Student Center, Drexel University, 32nd & Chestnut Sts., Philadelphia, PA. 19104. Show times will be 10:00am -10:00pm, Saturday, October 1, and 9:30am - 6:00pm, Sunday, October 2. There will be exhibits from area museums and research institutes, exhibits especially for children, booths from area shell clubs, and a special program of lectures Saturday evening. Regular exhibits will include: scientific displays from private collections, educational displays, shell crafts, shell art, and shell photography. Shell dealers will sell specimen shells, etc. For further information, please contact Richard Kirk, Fairfax #619, 43’rd & Locust Sts., NE. Phila, PA 19104. CHICAGO AREA GEARING UP FOR MAJOR SHELL SHOW IN SEPTEMBER The Southlake Mall in Merrillville, Indiana will be the site of the first major shell show in the Chicago-South Lake Michigan region. The dates have been set for September 24th and 25th. The host club, The Crown Point Shell Club whose members have become well known through their participation in shell shows in the Midwest and Florida, will now have a chance to host their own show. The show is open to all exhibitors who are interested in competing in the numerous categories grouped under four divisions: Scientific, Shellcraft, Shell Art and Collectibles. Entry applications should be submitted by September 10th. There will be nine major trophies to be awarded including the C.O.A. Grand Trophy, the DuPont, Shell of the Show, People’s Choice and Exhibitors’ Choice trophies. The show site, which is located south of Chicago, has several hotels and motels nearby, including some budget rate motels, for the convenience of out-of-town exhibitors and visitors. Local club mem- bers are known to offer traditional country hospitality and have promised to make all out-of-towners feel at home. For further information write or call Myrna Crissinger, 820 N. Court St., Crown Point, IN 46307, (219) 663-2795. 1983 WEST COAST SHELL SHOW The annual West Coast Shell Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, October 22nd and 23rd, 9am to 5pm, at the Fleischmann Auditorium of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol Road, north of Mission Santa Barbara. There will be a shell sales booth open throughout the show and a rare shell auction Sunday afternoon. There are open and amateur classes and ten trophies will be awarded, including the C.O.A. Grand Trophy and the new DuPont Trophy. Participation is open to all shell collectors. For further information and entry forms write: Show Committee, P.O. Box 30191, Santa Barbara, California 93105. hamaron 229 West Second Street | Deer Park New York 11729 U.S.A. 516 586-7830 PAGE 22 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:2 PAC-SHELL PECTEN The illustrated freak pecten certainly conjures up images of a popular video game. The aberrant pecten is Cryptopecten vesiculosus (Dunker, 1877), trawled in 10-20 fathoms of water off Mikawa, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Its color is variegated purple and white, and measures 26 mm x 15 mm in thickness from valve to valve. The animal probably, because of an environmental change, decided to continue growing after in-folding or thickening its vental edge at sexual maturity. The mollusk first reached sexual maturity when its shell was 16 mm in length. Among the environmental changes that might have contributed to this aberration are change in water temperature, food supply, or possibly even pollution. Whatever the cause, it definitely catagorizes this pecten as a fabulous freak! Richard L. Goldberg The WHAT’S IN A NAME Department Aspella castor and Aspella pollux were named by Radwin & d' Attilio in their Murex Shells of the World, 1976, for the “gemini” or twins of Greek Mythology. The names were chosen in part to point out the close similarity of these Atlantic (A. castor) and Pacific (A. pollux) species, and in part to honor Clifton and Clifford Martin, amateur malacologist-twins of Oceanside, California who had helped the authors in their research. S & D SIGLER - SPECIMEN SHELLS P.O. BOX 14169B ORLANDO, FLA 32857 S 305; 282-3730 = WORLDWIDE SPECIMEN SEASHELLS Superior quality - uncommon to rare RETAIL & WHOLESALE WANT LISTS REQUESTED WRITE FOR: CLUB AUCTION and ho) | BD) ce) ws @MAVani Coda patejacoyn VISIT US WHEN IN ORLANDO ABOUT SHELL CONSERVATION by ED WOODS Isn't the spoiling of the environment the culprit when an area becomes devoid of shells? What is to blame? I believe it is man’s unbelievable obsession to be on the waterfront with walls, groins, dredging of canals and his pollution. I believe it is the ruination of our bays, inlets, beaches, mangrove swamps, rivers and streams. Who is the villain for less molluscan life, if that actually is the case? Shell fisheries offshore, as well as commercial shellers in shallow water are taking thousands upon thousands of mollusks daily. Scientists have been taking shells in lots of hundreds or more for generations. Think of the number of mollusks that could be accounted for in shell mounds and kitchen middens. Dredging for mollusks for food must kill off many of the young and non-used mollusk life. Beach nourishment projects cost thousands of dollars, in order to save man’s work already encroached upon the beach. They dredge offshore reefs, and untold numbers of shells turn up on the beach, to the consternation or delight of shell collectors. McGinty and Nelson listed 507 species of shells actually found in the Pompano Beach (Florida) dredge mate- rial nourishing the beach in 1970. The dredge was located about a mile offshore. Among their listing are 22 species of limpets, 13 of Cerithidae, 15 of Epitoniidae, 13 of Naticidae, 21 of Muricidae and 19 of Conidae, plus more. The so-called nourished beach soon washes back into the ocean. Shallow- water breeding areas are being filled to extend ocean pro- perty. Deep canals are being cut far inland so everyone can have a boat at his own dock. Freshwater shelling areas disappear as streams are walled and turned into canals. Swamps are drained and lakes are polluted. Shelling areas open to the public are disappearing as miles of coastline are turned into restricted parking areas. The Shell Collector's Code of Ethics, as well as the present need for the protection of our shells and their environment are our concern. A sentence in the American Malacological Union Bulletin reads: “Conservation is being stressed, though to date the effort to convince shell collectors not to take live mollusks seems confined to lip service.” Other people say “A conservationist is a collector who has all the shells he wants.” We must protect our hobby! Shell club members collect after high winds and hurricanes, on the many beaches that are being nourished, after red-tide kills and on fossil shell banks. I've collected on scallop dumps, in dredge material from shrimp nets, on aragonite piles and in Coast Guard buoys brought in for cleaning. We beachcomb for already cleaned shells for our shellcraft work, shell packs, give-away shells and even for miniature specimen shells. On shelling trips to new areas I take one or two of each species, unless I have a specific request to collect for a scientist. Out on the local flats I find my shelling apron filled with dead shells, good enough to be cleaned up, or crabbed specimens. I do not believe shell collectors can over-collect an area! Nature protects her own by expert camouflage, seasonal changes, rough weather and high tides. There was an invasion of the Miami Finger Channel Flats by three shell clubs at one time. Mollusks were saved from over-collecting by an onshore wind, and by water covering most of the area. We shell collectors do not want immature, hard-to-clean or poor quality shells. We let these mollusks grow to to become food for other sea creatures or to reproduce. Think of the millions of veligers, or baby mollusks, that come from each adult. We do | JUNE 1983 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 23 ‘not collect in very deep water. We seldom take living mollusks, if we already have live-collected specimens in our collection, unless we trade with those enjoying our hobby in | other countries. We try to protect the environment by turning back every rock, piece of coral, clump of sponge, dead shells _and even man-made debris that house, hide and protect minute sea life. We do not want to destroy our favorite |habitats and turn them into dead areas. We want to return again and again to study and observe. | I do believe in National Mouments and state or county offshore areas where collecting all forms of marine life is for- bidden. These must, however, be better patrolled, and the law ‘more strictly enforced. | To put a mollusk on an endangered list will raise its dealers’ |price and practically every collector will want one in his | collection - before it is extinct. To advertise a resort as a shelling paradise, allow the streets to be lined with shell shops and then beg the people not to collect live mollusks ‘scarcely helps. To publish books on shelling, hold annual 1983 C.0.A. CONVENTION - UPDATE Plans for the eleventh Annual C.O.A. Convention to be held in Sarasota, Florida on Sept. 21-24, 1983 are proceeding very smoothly. The four day event will be held at the Holiday Inn on Lido Key in Sarasota, Fla. The Sarasota Shell Club is the host for the convention. The convention committee will be sending out a separate mailing to all C.O.A. members early in June. This mailing will contain detailed information as to the programs, field trips and will include registration and hotel reservation forms. There was a request in the last bulletin for programs for the convention. If you would like to participate, please send information about your program and what, if any projection equipment would be needed to: Mr. Charles Hertweck, 637 Sheridan Dr., Venice, Fla. 33595. Contributions of shells for the annual auction will be greatly appreciated. Last years auction was the most successful in the organization’s history, and we would like to set a new record this year. All shells you wish to donate should be sent to our C.O.A. President, } i conchological and malacological meetings, form more shell clubs, plead for students to become marine scientists all encourage shell collecting. Best we protect the environment and the mollusk habitats from so-called progress! | To shell clubbers, shell collectors and readers of the vast ‘number of exotic and expensive shell books being published - 'Let’s not over-collect!! Juveniles, undersized or poor quality 'shells have no place in our collections and are not trading Mr. Richard Jones, 1432 Dorsch Rd. South Euclid, Ohio 44121. We expect to have an exciting convention with excellent programs and interesting field trips. The Holiday Inn on Lido Key is located across the street from the beautiful white sand Lido Beach. There are miles of beaches to walk. Also just a short walk away is the world famous St. Armands’s Circle Shopping Area, with more than 100 shops of all kinds. Be sure to set aside the dates of Sept. 21-24, 1983 and join us in Sarasota for a memorable convention. Further questions on the convention should be directed to Mr. ‘material. Let’s not show growth series in our cabinets or shell R.W. (Dick) Forbush, 1104 Sklar Dr. E., Venice, Fla. 33595. show displays. Let's keep turning those rocks back. Let's | carefully replace a specimen after we have studied it - let it | continue to reproduce. Let’s take only what we need and can | carefully clean. Let’s discourage the taking of buckets’ full of ‘shells by thoughtless collectors. Let’s enjoy the shells we | have. Let’s become malacologists and not just shell collectors. | Let’s study the living mollusk to discover its food, foes, habits and variations. Let’s record and publish our observations. ‘Let's be conservationists. Let’s fight to help save the environ- ment and the right to our hobby. THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY On Kwajalein Island activities are limited and many U.S. gov- ernment employees take up SCUBA diving and shell collecting. Salt water aquariums are referred to as “KWAJ-TV’. In one such aquarium a hungry Conus textile was provided with a Cypraea eglantina for supper. The cone immediately responded to the proximity of the cowry extending its elephant-trunk-like proboscis to its astonishing full length and waving it through the water to get the bearings of its prey. Once it located the cowry it swept its proboscis under the shell to hit the soft parts of the animal. The cowry reacted with a shudder and immediately emitted cupfuls of mucous into the water which obviously confused and disoriented the cone while the cowry made its escape. This won the cowry a thumbs-up from the spectators and it was replaced in the ocean rather than in the shell collection. SHE SELLS SEASHELLS!!! Key shells sold by lot or aS specimens. Write for list. Donald Dan Selected Specimen Shells Margaret Teskey P.O. Box 273 Big Pine Key, Fl 33043 R@rBoxiseozZ Oak Brook, IL 60521 | 7 Chicago Suburb-For Visits, Call (312)963-7551 |TALK A FRIEND into joining the C.O.A. We will all benefit from a ae ' Inquiries Welcome-No Lists larger membership. Let's make a goal of over 1,000 members by the iend of the year and 1,500 by the end of 1984! PAGE 24 Fig. 1. Calliostoma annulatum, Abbey Specimen Shell #82-220, approx. X 2, leg. Glass on giant kelp off south coast of San Miguel Island, Jan. 1982. Fig. 2 (right). C. annulatum, same shell pictured in fig. 1, approx. X 2.5. CALIFORNIA SEASHELLS PART IV: TROCHIDAE C. GLASS & R. FOSTER The top-shells, or members of the family Trochidae, are represented in California by several interesting and, in some cases, very attractive species in 9 or 10 genera, namely and alphabetically: Calliostoma, Halistylus, Lirularia', Margarites, Norrisia, Seguenzia, Solariella, Tegula and Turcica. In this paper we are dealing with the three most common genera, Calliostoma, Tegula and Norrisia. Top-shells may most easily be distinguished from the similar turban-shells?, members of the family Turbinidae, of which, also, there are several along the California coast, by the horny, thin, multispiralled oper- culum as compared to the calcareous, thickened operculum of the turbinids. The most beautiful of the California trochids is almost unquestionably Calliostoma annulatum (Lightfoot, 1786), the “purple-ringed top-shell”. It is hard to describe the delicate beauty and subtle coloring of this jewel, and, unfortunately, it is never again as beautiful as when it is live and fresh out of the water! The shell is golden yellow to amber in color with spiral ridges which are strongly beaded, the beading purple and white, with a pale but lively purple band at the base of the whorl by the suture and around the columella. Size is given as 10 to 30 mm in length and to 30 mm in diameter. The largest specimen we have found is 28.3 mm in diameter and 33 mm long from the tip of the spire down through the central axis of the shell to the level of the bottom of the aperture’. We have found small specimens in 10 to 30 ft. of water on the Monterey harbor breakwater, on Naples Reef west of Santa Barbara in 25 to 50 ft., and at similar depths off Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and the Anacapa Islands, but by far the best and largest population we have ever seen was on giant kelp (Macrocystis) in 70 ft. of water off the southern shore (or “backside”) of San Miguel Island. When we first visited this spot in January of 1982 there were innumerable and extra large specimens of this species together with C. canaliculatum and Tegula pulligo on nearly every blade of kelp, as well as C. ligatum on the rocky bottom, but when we returned to the area, not only were the shells gone (except the C. ligatum) so was most of the kelp! A storm had undoubtedly washed both shells and kelp away. It will be interesting to see whether the shells return in similar num- bers seasonally or at all, once the kelp reestablishes itself on that reef. The range of C. annulatum extends from Forrester Island, Alaska to San Geronimo Island off northern Baja California. They are omnivores, feeding on hydroids, bryozoans, detritus and even anemones, as well as on the kelp itself. Calliostoma canaliculatum (Lightfoot, 1786), described at the same time as C. annulatum, is often found in the same area as that species, though often higher up on the kelp, occupies approximately the same range (Sitka, Alaska to northern Baja California), competes for the same basic diet, and, indeed, both species were discovered at the same time, among the first known California molluscan species, taken on the voyage of Captain James Cook. C. canaliculatum, the “channeled top-shell”, is described as attaining 35 mm in height and diameter, white to buff colored (occasionally with Fig. 3. Calliostoma canaliculatum, AbS #82-227, approx. X 2.5 (note darker maculations evenly spaced around bottom of whorls). VOLUME 11:2 | JUNE 1983 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 25 subtle tan mottling and regularly spaced tan blotches near the base of the whorls) and characterized by several, spiral channels (or raised ribs, depending upon your point of view). We have found this species on the pilings of the Santa Barbara wharf, on the Monterey harbor breakwater, and again, along with C. annulatum, the best, largest and most numerous specimens were on the kelp off the south shore of San Miguel Island, our largest self-collected specimen measur- ing 27 mm in diameter and 26 mm in length. The largest in our collection, AbS #83-144 from Monterey County, measures 33.5 mm tall, 35 mm wide. Calliostoma ligatum (Gould, 1849) was also discovered during the Cook expedition and is also fairly common in California giant kelp forests, along with the two aforemen- tioned species. In most instances, however, we have en- countered this smaller (to 25 mm in length and diameter), less showy species on the rocky reef substrate under the kelp, and even where there is no kelp: on the perpendicular rock faces of the Monterey harbor breakwater in 10 to 30 ft., on Talcott Shoals off northwestern Santa Rosa Island in 55 to 65 ft., and in 45 ft. off the southeast comer of San Miguel Island. Its range is from Prince William Sound, Alaska to San Diego. The shells are relatively low with broad, rounded whorls, dark brown with paler, relatively smooth spiral ridges and often with a dark bluish cast, particularly in the early whorls near the spire. C. ligatum is most similar to C. canaliculatum but may easily be distinguished by its smaller size, darker color, more rounded whorls and less flattened bottom. The other four or five species occurring in California waters with which we are somewhat familiar are relatively uncommon and smaller species, mostly under 25 mm. We have found Calliostoma gloriosum Dall, 1871 on Naples Reef and on the backside of the Anacapa Islands in 35 to 40 ft., under rocks. We also have specimens from rocky reefs in about 45 ft. in Coho Anchorage near Point Conception, collected by John Phillips. Height is given as 15 to 25 mm, the range from San Francisco to the Coronado Islands oft northern Baja California. The Phillips shells, however, are exceptional specimens, one measuring 32 mm long and 27.5 mm in diameter, the other 30 mm in both dimensions. The shells are tan to dusky orange with regularly spaced darker blotches or flammules on the upper and lower parts of the somewhat rounded to slightly shouldered whorls near the suture. The whorls are sculptured with fine spiral ribs, the upper ones lightly beaded. This species reportedly feeds mostly on the sponge, Xestospongia diprosopia. Fig. 4. C. canaliculatum, AbS #82-228, approx. X 2.5, leg. Glass, with 82-220 (see figs. 1 & 2). Fig. 5. Calliostoma ligatum, AbS #82-1222, approx. X 2.5, leg. Glass on Monterey harbor breakwater in 20-30 ft., April, 1982. Fig, 6. Calliostoma gloriosum, AbS #81-270, approx. X 2, leg. John Phillips in 45 ft., Coho Anchorage. Fig. 7 (below). C. gloriosum, AbS #.77-055, approx. X 2.5, leg. J. Phillips in 45 ft., Coho Anchorage. PAGE 26 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:2 rig. 8. Calliostoma splendens, AbS #81-3420, approx. X 4, leg. Glass in 65 ft., on crabbed shell encrusted with diaporitia, Canby Reef, Santa Barbara. Both Calliostoma supragranosum and C. splendens were described by Carpenter in 1864. The taxa are similar and some authorities consider C. splendens a synonym of C. supragranosum. Kaicher points out that C. supragranosum, described as light yellowish brown with a spiral row of pale white spots on the lower edge and to 13 mm long, is umbilicate whereas C. splendens, described as a yellowish orange with whitish maculations along the upper edge of the whorl and to 7 or 8 mm long, is imperforate. (All other species of this genus with which we are dealing in detail in this paper are imperforate, that is: not umbilicate.) If one chooses to recognize these differences as significant, then the shells with which we are familiar would all fall under C. splendens. They are the tiniest of California calliostomas. Most of our shells have been collected adventitiously, unnoticed on small rocks or upon other shells which we have brought home for the aquarium. Being mostly omnivores, calliostomas do relatively well in saltwater aquaria, but it is a particularly pleasant surprise to suddenly notice some tiny calliostoma sliding across the glass inside the aquarium and realize that it must have been brought in on a rock or piece of kelp! Most of our specimens have come from Canby Reef out of the Santa Barbara harbor in 65 to 70 ft. of water. The range (for both taxa) extends from Monterey to southern Baja California. Also on Canby Reef, as well as on the wharf pilings in Santa Barbara, we have found the beautiful, little Calliostoma tricolor Gabb, 1865. At first we considered our identification somewhat tentative for our shells did not adequately match the illustrations or descriptions at our disposal. The illustration in the Abbott & Dance Compendium of Seashells, however, is definitely our species. The later whorls are quite smooth textured with almost no trace of spiral beading. They are somewhat angular with sloping shoulders, orange-tan with spiral lines of alternating light and dark dashes. The shells are 18 to 22 mm long, our largest specimen being only 18 mm long and in diameter. Its range is from Santa Cruz, California to San Martin Island off northern Baja California. Calliostoma variegatum Carpenter, 1864 has been com- pared to C. canaliculatum with narrower, beaded cords, a slightly concave profile and rounded base. The shells are buff- colored, sometimes with spaced, reddish brown dots atop the cords. There is a slight depression along the suture. The shell is described as 25 mm long. Our largest specimen, collected by T. Kincaid in 1946 off the San Juan Islands, Washington, is 27 mm in diameter and 30 mm long. We have another specimen, 24 mm in diameter and 29.5 mm long, collected by John Phillips in 90 ft. near Point Conception, California. The range is from Alaska to southern California. Fig. 9. Calliostoma tricolor, AbS #82-690, approx. X 2.5, leg. Glass, on pilings of Stearns wharf in 25 ft., Santa Barbara. Fig. 10. C. tricolor, AbS #82-691, approx. X 3, coll. with 82-690 (fig. 9). Fig. 11. Calliostoma variegatum, AbS #77-056, approx. X 2.5, leg. John Phillips in 90 ft., Pt. Conception. We are not, unfortunately, very familiar with the other four species listed from California waters, namely C. gemmulatum JUNE 1983 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 27 Carpenter, 1864, C. keenae McLean, 1970, C. platinum Dall, 1889 and C. turbinum Dall, 1895 (but we're still looking!). C. gemmulatum is described as being 15 mm in diameter and 20 mm tall, olive green with darker, longitudinal markings and with up to 6 beaded, spiral ridges on the body whorl, moderately uncommon in low, intertidal zone, in rocky areas and on wharf pilings, from Cayucos, San Luis Obispo County, California to southern Baja California. C. keenae seems very close to C. supragranosum. A specified difference is a lack of beading in the early whorls of C. keenae. The range is given as coming from 24 to 68 fm from off Laguna Beach to Baja California. C. platinum, a smooth, thin, silvery white shell to 32 mm large, is from deep water (50 to 414 fm) from British Columbia to San Diego. C. turbinum is apparently a small (to 12 mm large), rather colorful species with 3 strong and several thread-like cords on the body whorl, with a short range in fairly deep water (35 to 75 fm) from Point Con- ception to San Diego, California. At least some species of Calliostoma cover themselves with a layer of mucous which offers them some slippery protection. Be it for this reason or some other, calliostomas are generally very clean shells, rarely heavily encrusted like some of their Tegula cousins .... which is fortunate since the outer shell material, particularly in the early whorls, is soft and is easily brushed off down to the nacre if one is not careful. The other main group of top-shells in California waters is Tegula with eight species. Tegula is similar to Calliostoma but distinguished by the presence of one or more denticles at the base of the columella. The largest, showiest and most dif- ferent species by far is the “queen tegula’, Tegula regina (Stearns, 1892). Its range is from Catalina Island to Asuncion Island off central Baja California. We have found T. regina rather commonly on rocks in 15 to 35 ft, but only around Catalina and San Clemente Islands. It appears along the mainland coast around San Diego and south. T. regina is pyramidal in shape, 40 to 50 mm tall (our largest shell is 45 mm tall and 53.5 mm in diameter), with wavy, axially corded sides which flare slightly at the bottom of each whorl with an overhanging, laminate, crenulate margin. This flaring portion |) Fig. 12. C. variegatum, AbS #76-624, approx. X 2.5, San Juan Islands, ) Washington. Fig. 13. Calliostoma gemmulatum, left: approx. X 3.5, leg. Earl Nydam, under rocks, low tide, Coal-oil Point, Santa Barbara. Right: AbS #83- 128, approx. X 1.5, leg. C. Neeb, 1963, Mission Bay, San Diego. is usually black, but the rest of the whorl varies from lemon- yellow to orange to nearly black. The base is white and most peculiar with numerous curved, raised, black ridges cor- responding to growth lines. Near the aperture the base becomes smooth and lemon-yellow with a darker, orange stain around the umbilicus. In our experience shells are typically heavily encrusted with limey deposits. most difficult to clean. Fig. 14 (above). Tegula regina, AbS #81-230, approx. X 1.5, leg. Glass, in 15-35 ft. backside of Catalina Is., near Sentinel Rock. Fig. 15 (below). T. regina, bottom view of same shell pictured in fig. 14. PAGE 28 Fig. 16. Tegula regina, AbS #81-231, a rare, nearly totally lemon- yellow specimen from the same locality as AbS #81-230. Two similar species of Tegula which share more or less the same range, from southern California to Magdalena Bay, Baja California, are Tegula aureotincta (Forbes, 1852) and T. eiseni Jordan, 1936. In the water and encrusted they are fairly hard to tell apart, but they may be readily distinguished by the deep orange stain around the umbilicus of T. aureo- tincta which gives that species its name and by the unbeaded, wavy or irregularly lumpy sculpturing on the whorls. Also, the base bears about 5, low, rounded, spiral cords. The shell is’ gray to greenish gray to nearly black. The maximum size is given as 40 mm tall (our largest shell [83-133] is 37 mm tall and in diameter. T. eiseni is tan to dull brownish with nu- merous beaded, spiral cords, the beads typically alternating black and white, the black predominant. The species is also generally smaller, from 20 to 25 mm tall and usually slightly broader. Our largest specimen is 25 mm tall and 25 mm in diameter. Both species are common on rocks in moderately shallow water around Catalina and San Clemente Islands. We have found T. aureotincta around Santa Cruz Island as well and T. eiseni on the breakwaters of the Los Angeles harbor at San Pedro. CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:2 Two other, closely related species of Tegula whose ranges and habitats are also similar are T. funebralis (A. Adams, 1855) and T. gallina Forbes, 1850. They are shallow, inter- tidal to tidepool species, often exposed to air for periods of time. A third similar species, T. brunnea Philippi, 1848, more often occurs subtidally. None of the three is a particular “grabber” as far as specimen shells go, and the spires are usually badly worn or eroded from their turbulent habitat, so a good specimen is hard to find and when you have one, you haven't got much! All three have a closed umbilicus with merely a dimple-like depression. The size range for all three is from 25 to 35 mm though exceptional specimens of T. funebralis, the “black tegula’, may get as large as 50 mm. Its range is from Vancouver Island to central Baja California. T. gallina, the “speckled tegula’, is characterized by zigzag axial stripes of white to purple. Its range is from Santa Barbara County to Magdalena Bay, Baja California. T. brunnea, the “brown tegula”, is a light, chestnut brown in color. Its range is from Oregon to the Santa Barbara Channel Islands. Fig. 20. (top left). Tegula eiseni, AbS #83-132, approx. X 1.5, coll. in the 1920s at San Pedro. Fig. 21 (top right). T. funebralis, AbS #83- 137, approx. X 1.33, Sand Dollar Beach Monterey Co., leg. Jean Wilkins, 7/1968. Fig. 22 (bottom left). T. gallina, AbS #83-134, approx. X 1.5, Seal Beach, 6/1966. Fig. 23 (bottom right). T. brunnea, AbS #83-141, approx. X 1.33, near Cayucos, leg. Thelma Crow, 3/1972. Fig. 17-19. Tegula aureotincta, AbS #82-712: left, front view of a greenish grey shell from Fraser Point, in 30 ft. of water: west end of Santa Cruz Island; center, base of same shell showing orange blotch and spiral cords, approx. X 1.5; right, side view of same shell, approx. X 1.75. JUNE 1983 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 29 Fig. 24. Tegula pulligo, AbS #82-230, approx. X 3, leg. Glass on giant kelp, off south coast of San Miguel Is., Jan. 1982. | The last two tegulas also may easily be. confused, spe- cifically Tegula pulligo (Gmelin, 1791) and T. montereyi (Kiener, 1850). They are similar in conical shape and size, 25- 37 mm long and about as wide or slightly wider. They can be distinguished by details of the base of the shells, the base of | T. montereyi bearing faint spiral threads, with weak spiral | cords around the umbilicus and 1 prominent tooth on the | columella; the base of T. pulligo is smooth, the columella | toothless. The range of T. montereyi is from Bolinas Bay, | California to the Santa Barbara Channel Islands, generally | found on kelp in deeper water. We have found T. pulligo, the | “dusky tegula”, on kelp off the southern shore of San Miguel | Island, with Calliostoma annulatum and C. canaliculatum, and | on kelp near the Monterey harbor breakwater. The shells are | smooth, sharply conical, grey to pale pinkish tan with slight | gradations of shading corresponding to growth lines. The | early whorls are markedly different with a lavender cast and | lighter and darker maculations especially at the upper edge of | the whorls by the suture, and to a lesser extent at the bottom | of the same whorls. After the second or third whorl the color | lightens and the spotting no longer occurs. The base is white | and slopes smoothly and sharply towards the umbilicus. Our | largest specimen, from San Miguel, measures 30 mm tall and | 34 mm in diameter. The range is from Sitka, Alaska to Baja | California. We have not yet collected T. montereyi. In some ways the most unusual of the California trochids is the monotypic Norrisia norrisi (Sowerby, 1838) which is very | common in kelp beds off southern California. The shell is | heavy, broad, to at least 57.5 mm in diameter and 45 mm | high, with a low, rounded spire and large, smooth, rounded | whorl, rich brown over pink in color with shaded growth lines | like wood grain, and shading to black around the umbilicus. | The columella is vivid kelly-green, the aperture pearly white |and the animal bright orange-red, all of which make this a ] very colorful creature. The operculum is quite distinct, brown Hand cardboard-like with thickened spiral ridges of matted, hair-like material. Its range is from Point Conception to } Asuncion Island off central Baja California. We have en- | countered this species particularly on “palm kelp” beds | throughout southern California waters and around the islands. Fig. 25. Comparison of the most obvious differences between Tegula pulligo (left: AbS #82-229, leg. Glass, with shell pictured in fig. 24, approx. X 1.25) and T. montereyi (right: AbS #83-145, leg. Bill Pitt, 7/1967, on kelp, Monterey Co., approx. X 1.25). Note nearly obsolete, faint spiral threads around base of T. montereyi and weak spiral cords around umbilicus with prominent tooth on columella; T. pulligo does not exhibit these characteristics. The absence of the tooth is part- icularly suprising since it is considered diagnostic of Tegula. Fig. 26-27. Front and side views of Norrisia norrisi, AbS #81-072, approx. X 1.5, leg. Glass, Frenchy's Flats in ca. 30 ft., off Anacapa Is., Feb. 1981. PAGE 30 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:2 Fig. 28. Norrisia norrisi. Photo Bill Hagey. If there is any encrustation on the shell, it is virtually impossible to clean without removing a lot of the brown exterior down to a pink, opalescent nacre as the exterior material is surprisingly impermanent in contrast to most shells. REFERENCES Abbott, R. Tucker, 1964. American Seashells. Van Nostrand, New York. & S. Peter Dance, 1983. Compendium of Seashells. E.P. Dutton, New York. Kaicher, Sally D., 1979. Card Catalogue of World-wide Shells, Pack 21 - Trochidae, Part I. Mi , 1980, Ibid., Pack 22 - Trochidae, Part II. McLean, James H., 1969. Marine Shells of Southern California. Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, CA. Morris, R.H., D.P. Abbott & E.C. Haderlie et al., 1980. Intertidal Invertebrates of California. Stanford, CA. ! Lirularia is considered by some authorities to be synonymous with a subgenus of Margarites. ? Tegulas are occasionally referred to with the common name, “turban shells”, and some turbinids are called “top-shells”. Astraea undosa, for instance, a turbinid, is referred to both as the “wavy turban” and “wavy top-shell”. Such is the main problem with common names! The more accepted usage, however, what we are following here, restricts the use of “top-shells” for trochids and “turbans” for turbinids. 3 We are specific about our method of taking measurements in this group, since, to us, it is somewhat unclear in the literature whether “length” or “height” measurements of shells with uneven bases are taken from the base line, through the axis of the shell to the level of the lowest point or of the maximum length which would be down the side of the shell to the base of the aperture, presenting, in some cases, a difference of 40% or more! ADDITIONAL READING ON CALIFORNIA ABALONE Cox, Keith W., 1960. Review of the Abalone in California, California Fish & Game 46:4, 381-406. (An excellent review with 16 color plates — 8 figures, showing both sides of shells — and a drawing of soft parts, life history notes, key and references.) WHO’S WHO IN COA Gene Stratton Porter’s Girl of the Limberlost had a far- reaching effect on one young Minnesota girl. Ruth Green- berg, our immediate Past-President, became an amateur nat- uralist early in life through the book’s. influence, and main- tains that interest today. Born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and growing up around Minnesota's lakes, Ruth graduated from the University of Minnesota, Class of 1936. During college and a subsequent marriage, and the rearing of her two sons, Dan and Phil, she added art, writing, and science to her roster of interests. After 23 years of California living, and for love of the sea and its creatures, Ruth and her sister-in-law, Jan, opened their Tidepool Gallery on the beach at Malibu. The Greenbergs called themselves “part-time artists and full-time beachcom- bers”. During this period, Ruth created craft objects from sea materials and did drawings and wood-cuts of shell forms. Six months after the Gallery opening in 1969, Ruth dis- covered the world of specimen shells, shell clubs, and serious collectors — and the quest for knowledge of this shell world was on. Ruth’s travels have included Mexico, Samoa, Fiji, Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Australia, Singapore, Oman, Israel, Lon- don, Micronesia, and a visit to Japan in 1973 for the opening of the Nomozaki Marine Museum on Kyushu. She has judged shell shows in both Santa Barbara and Hawaii, and_ has appraised shell collections for estates, insurance, and museum donations. Our subject is not interested in owning a great rare shell collection; these specimens go to her customers. She does collect: ethnic and contemporary art, crafts, old and new baskets, succulents and cactus, driftwood, rocks, and _ self- collected shells. Ruth enjoys C.O.A., A.M.U., and W.S.M. meetings, especially visiting with and getting to know other members. Currently Ruth’s love is her summer home in Trinidad, northern California. There she has time for her creative art work: soft sculptures of crochet on natural sponges, carving small utensils of driftwood, and making porpoises from hard- woods. She can explore, garden, cook the local seafood, and pick berries and mushrooms to her heart’s content. She has just joined the Humboldt Bay Mycological (study of mush- rooms) Society, but is not neglecting malacology; she _ is assisting a friend in labelling, organizing, and collating the collection of the late Bob Talmadge for the College of the Redwoods in Eureka, Calif. Ruth left her idyllic spot in Trinidad recently for an Alaskan cruise with 14 Sierra Club members and a crew of 6 on a 97-foot converted mine-sweeper. They followed a hump- back whale herd playing near the surface, anchored in small, isolated inlets and bays, landed in only two tiny villages, fished, beach-combed, and hiked. If reading Gene Stratton Porters work can assure an adventurous life such as Ruth Greenberg’s, there will cer- tainly be a renewed interest in this author! JAY J. TRIPP, C.O.A. Secretary-Historian HAD ENOUGH about California shells? Help alleviate the situation by writing articles. The Editors | JUNE 1983 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 31 22762 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California 90265 @idepool ma JS) RARE SHELLS OUR SPECIALITY Largest stock of world-wide specimens on the West Coast. Plus unique and beautiful fine art, carvings, handicrafted Jewelry, Weavings - all related to the Sea. RETAIL ONLY - No Lists or Catalogues We do our best to answer specific request sent by mail. For a truly delightful experience - Visit the Tidepool! Ask any collector DISPLAY > STANDS Large selection of acrylic displays especially for shells and minerals. wholesale only VENUS DISPLAYS 10713 ASHBY AVE. Los Angeles, Ca. 90064 (213) 836-3177 THE WORLD’S MOST COMPLETE OFFERING OF SHELLS FROM THE PANAMIC PROVINCE é The Panamic Province includes the Pacific : side of tropical America from west Mexico to Ecuador CATALOG 36 pages of rarely offered shells Tato Mh Mi (g-saUlavol-] ol (-Wol aim df acs aol col-To) te: PANAMIC SPECIMEN SHELLS 3846 E. HIGHLAND e PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85018 USA Over 3,000 species regularly in stock! We will select your shells as if they were for our own collection. . . .and we’re very very, picky! Bob Foster & Charles Glass aE ABE a, Specimen Shells P.O. Box 3010 Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (805) 963-3228 Advertising in the Bulletin is pre- sented as a service to our member- ship, but does not automatically im- ply Bulletin endorsement of the ad- vertisers. Advertising space is avail- able at the rate of $60.00 for a half page; yearly rate (4X): $225.00; quarter page: $40.00; yearly rate: Derry’s SHELL SHELTER "+4 WORLD WIDE SHELLS — SPECIMEN QUALITY LARGEST SELECTION OF RARE SHELLS ON WEST COAST 1231 So. Harbor Blud La Habra CA 90631 USA Tel. (714) 992-1030 formis, perplicata, rossiniana and many more. — NO LISTS — PLEASE SEND FOR WANTS $150.00; eighth page: $25.00; year- ly rate: $90.00; minimum ad (1”): $15.00; yearly rate: $55.00. Except > for the minimum size ads, camera- ~ 7 ready copy is preferred and copy may be changed for any issue. Dead- lines are month prior to publication months (ie., by January 31st for the March Bulletin, etc.) Send advertis- ing copy and fees to The Editor, box 3010, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. SPECIMENS SOLD RECENTLY AND USUALLY IN STOCK INCLUDE — Cyp, broderipii, valentia, vredenburgi, sakurai, guttata, kuroharai, joyceae, rosselli. Conus crocatus, dusaveli, neptunus, cervus, milneedwardsii, proximus, architha- lassus, armadillo. Murex phyllopterus, loebbecki, laqueatus, marumai. Spondylus gloriosus. Pleurotomaria rumphii, schmalzi. Voluta taiwanica, kawamurai, coni- PAGE 32 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:2 =~aWORLDWIDE SPECIMEN } SHELLS = s® » YOUR ONE STOP... 354 MARINE & LAND sa =~ SHELL CONNECTION ™. *; BUY ¢ SELL ¢ EXCHANGE, .. & HMS—ISGS GRADING, AND “0%” FOR YOUR FREE LIST WRITE: Richard Goldberg’s WorldWide Specimen Shells 49-77 Fresh Meadow Lane Flushing, N.Y. 11365 |} U.S.A. PHILLIP W. CLOVER Dealer in World Wide Sea Shells since 1960 Specializing ww in Latiaxis, Murex, Morums, Marginella Mitra, Conus, Cypraea, Voluta, Cancellaria, Typhis, Trophons, and out of print Sea Shell Books. Phone # 707-996-6960 Write for Free Price Lists. P.O. Box 83 - Glen Ellen - Calif. 95442 RARE AND EXOTIC SPECIMEN SHELLS for the discriminating collector MAL DE MER ENTERPRISES P.O. Box 482 792 Evergreen Drive West Hempstead, New York 11552, U.S.A. Phone: (516) 481-0456 House of Quality and Service (7 RICHARD M. KURZ, INC. 7 \ 1575 NORTH 118th STREET ~ WAUWATOSA, WI 53226 U.S.A. Dealer in Fine and Rare Specimen Shells of Superior Quality The very best shells, at the very best prices WRITE FOR FREE PRICE LIST SHELLS BOUGHT, SOLD AND TRADED LARGEST MAIL ORDER SEASHELL DEALER IN THE U.S.A. ‘CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN _ eee NO. ss SEPTEMBER, 1983 ADATttillo 7-76 PAGE 34 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:3 ,ONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA, INC. A Collective Devotion To Advancing- Conchology. In 1972, a group of shell collectors saw the need for a national organization devoted to the interests of shell collectors. Thus, CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA, INC. was formed — for amateur collectors interested in the TS beauty of shells, their scientific aspects and the collecting and preservation of TS mollusks. The membership includes novices, as well as advanced collectors, scientists and shell dealers from around the country and world. An annual B® convention is held each year in a different part of the country. ae OFFICERS President: Richard H. Jones; 1432 Dorsh Road, South Euclid, Ohio 44121 Vice-President: Richard Forbush; 1104 Sklar Dr. E., Venice, Florida 33595 Secretary/Historian: Mrs. Jay Tripp 212 Connecting Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228 Treasurer: Clair Stahl A 3235 N.E. 61st Ave., Portland, Oregon 97213 Membership Chairperson: Phyllis Pipher 1116 N Street, Tekamah, Nebraska 86061 Trophy Chairperson: Anne Joffe 1163 Kittiwake Circle, Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 BULLETIN STAFF Editor: Charles Glass Box 3010, Santa Barbara, California 93105 Managing Editor: Robert Foster Box 3010, Santa Barbara, California 93105 i The BULLETIN is an offical publication of the CONCHOLOGISTS OF (Rs a7 AMERICA INC, published quarterly in March, June, September, and December i by Abbey Garden Press, 1675 Las Canoas Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. § i Second Class Postage pending at Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Postmaster: send a] address changes to Abbey Garden Press, box 3010, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. MEMBERSHIP DUES INDIVIDUAL (per year) $7.50; FAMILY (receiving one Bulletin) $10.00; OVERSEAS (Air Mail Postage) $10.00; Send check or money order to the TREASURER (address above); ***Any other membership problems should be addressed to the MEMBERSHIP CHAIRPERSON, Phyllis Pipher, 1116 N Street, Tekamah, Nebraska,’ 68061. COVER PLATE: Murexiella bojadorensis (Locard, 1897), pen and ink by Anthony D’Attilio of a shell (AbS 74-3372) in the Foster & Glass Collection (see “Notes on Murex”, page 35). HOW TO KEEP TRACK OF YOUR SHELLS As most collectors know, keeping as complete data as possible on each of one’s shells is important, not only for the scientific and commercial value of the shell, but for one’s greater enjoyment and understanding. Most collectors give the shell a number and maintain a separate card-file or notebook, listing the appropriate date under that number. Some choose to write that number on the shell with ink or on a label; others write it on a slip of paper inside the shell. In our system, for instance, we give the shells a number beginning with the initials AbS (for “Abbey Specimen Shells”) followed by the year in which it was acquired followed by the number that shell was given in that year, for example: AbS 83-500, the fifth hundredth shell we acquired in 1983. A 3 x 5 file card has the name of the shell, that number and any information we have about where it was collected, by whom or how, when, what sort of habitat (if known) and the amount we paid or how we acquired the specimen. It’s a lot of work, but well worth it! The Editors Cc. O. A. CONVENTION The 1983 Conchologists of America Convention will be held at the Holiday Inn on Lido Beach in Sarasota, Florida. The dates are from Wednesday Sept. 21 through Saturday Sept. 24. The preregistration indicates that this will be a very popular convention with fellow shell collectors from all corners of the country attending. Wednesday evening there will be a “Wine & Cheese” party at the Mote Marine Science Center. You can enjoy the refreshments and also view the exhibits on display. The daily programs will be varied and will contain some photography of live shells that you might never see anywhere else. The convention will be climaxed by the banquet on Sat- urday evening. The speaker will be Willian G. Lyon of the Florida Department of Natural Resources. Bill just returned from a dredging trip off Southern Florida, and his topic will be “Dredging off East Florida”. Hope to see all of you at the convention. Join us for a “SUPER SEPTEMBER IN SARASOTA”. LETTER TO THE EDITOR I read with great interest the article on Haliotidae in the March ’83 issue of the Bulletin, especially “The John Phillips Method” (of cleaning abalone shells) and think you might find the following of interest. I have found a way of partially reviving the colors and/or patterns on shells like cones, volutes, Tonna, Cassidae, Cymatiidae, etc. Since mineral oil always leave a micron thin layer on the shell which attracts dust, an alternative had to be found. After much experiment I finally hit on the answer: anhydrous lanolin. The material you need are: 1. anhydrous lanolin (in a glass jar with tight lid). 2. artist’s paint brush. 3. black plastic sheet (a black garbage bag is fine). 4. pot, kettle or saucepan (for boiling water). 5. tongs (for handling hot jar). 6. several coths. 7. a hot, sunny day. THE METHOD: 1. Place the shells you want to treat in the sunshine outside and cover with sheet of black plastic. This will heat the shells slowly without the risk of fading colors. 2. In a pan of boiling water, immerse a small, glass jar of anhydrous lanolin. Make sure no water gets into the jar. The lanolin, which is quite like ‘Vaseline’ in color and consistancy, will melt in the jar until it is quite liquid. Remove from water with tongs. 3. Paint the liquid lanolin onto the warm shells with brush. Do not paint the shells if they are still cold; the lanolin will solidify im- mediately, and you will have a real mess on your shells! 4. Replace the lanolin-coated shells under the plastic sheet (still in the sunshine) and leave for about an hour. The lanolin will then penetrate the shell. 5. Wipe off all excess lanolin with a cloth until it cannot be felt on the shell anymore. And “voila!”, you will be amazed how your shells look almost new! I have used this method on hundreds of shells for many years, without any deleterious effects at all. I suspect it is because lanolin is designed by nature to protect hair, which is not unlike the substance of a shell’s periostracum. Charles E. Maris 128 Mitchell Street, George 6530 Republic of South Africa VOLUME 11:3 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 35 NOTES ON MUREX by ANTHONY D’ATTILIO San Diego Natural History Museum Murexiella bojadorensis (Locard, 1897) Murex bojadorensis Locard, 1897 Murex asteriae Nicolay, 1972 At the time “Murex Shells of the World’, Radwin and D Attilio, 1976, was published, this species of Murexiella was fortunately available to us for inclusion in the colored plates. Figure 98, page 156, is a photographic reproduction of the holotype in the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris. The type is from 200 meters off Cape Bojador, northwestern Africa. Specimens were subsequently collected off Ghana, Africa, in 100 meters. Due to the obscurity of the shell of M. bojadorensis, the shell was named again as Murex asteriae Nicolay, 1972. The type of Murexiella is hidalgoi (Crosse, 1869) from the western Atlantic. A list of the known described species of Murexiella, in addition to the two, named above, follows: Murexiella humilis (Broderip, 1833) Eastern Pacific Murexiella vittata (Broderip, 1833) Eastern Pacific Murexiella jacquelinae (Emerson and D ‘Attilio, 1969) Eastern Pacific Murexiella lappa (Broderip, 1833) Eastern Pacific Murexiella perita (Hinds, 1844) Eastern Pacific Murexiella radwini Emerson and D’Attilio, 1970 Eastern Pacific Eastern Pacific Eastern Pacific Eastern Pacific Murexiella diomedaea (Dall, 1908) Murexiella keenae Vokes, 1970 Murexiella laurae Vokes, 1970 Murexiella mildredae Poorman, 1980 Eastern Pacific Murexiella iemanjo Petuch, 1979 Caribbean, Brazil Murexiella mactanensis Emerson and D’Attilio, 1979 Philippines Philippines Philippines Murexiella peregrina Oliviera, 1980 Murexiella martini Shikama, 1977 Fig. 1 (left). Murexiella bojadorensis, the specimen depicted on the cover, the form described by Nicolay as M. asteriae, from Somune, N’Bour, Senegal; actual size, 33 mm long. Fig. 2 (directly below). A 42 mm long specimen (AbS 78-012) of M. bojadorensis from 80-200 m off La Palma, Canary Islands. Fig. 3 (bottom). A rare “albino” form (AbS 81-037), 40 mm long, dredged from 200 m off Santo Antao Is., Cape Verde Islands. (Photos and shells, Foster & Glass). A number of species described in the genus Favartia may, with equal justice, be placed in Murexiella. Some authors have placed Murexiella as a subgenus of Favartia. The main char- acter that differentiates the two genera is the development of the varical flange. It is very extensively raised as in hidalgoi and bojadorensis. Except for this more extensive varical development, there are a number of species assigned to Favartia whose generic placement is the subjective one of the author. Disregarding the possible transfer of some Favartia species, the presently accepted number of known Murexiella species is sixteen. The species are found subtidally, often in consider- able depths, and none are very common; some are known only from the holotype. PAGE 36 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:3 a | . SARASOTA FOSSILS by CHARLIE (“The Old Fossil”) HERTWECK Have you ever picked up a shell on the beach and wondered what its ancestor looked like? You are in luck, because The Sarasota Shell Club has arranged a field trip to the fossil pit in Sarasota during the C.O.A. Convention, on Saturday, September, 24th, from 9 until 12:30. The pit contains fossils from late Pliocene (1 to 2 million years) to early Pliocene and even late Miocene (11 to 12 million years). If you have never collected here, your first thrill is to find a left handed cone, or a Cypraea, still shiny. There are some other fantastic finds, such as Spondylus, still attached, many forms of Muricidae and olives, so shiny they look like they were living yesterday. Of course the rarest find of all is an Ecphora, which is the marker fossil for the Miocene. I, personally, save all the matrix from the inside of the shells and wash it thru a screen. The miniatures that may be found will amaze you. Finding the names of the fossils is a real chore. Many of the books are out of print and hard to get. The real thrill is finding the shell, cleaning it, and putting it in your collection to admire. — ee ee ee Editors’ Note: Interested in the identity of these Sarasota fossils? Come to the C.O.A. Convention in Sarasota this month and find out. .... as well as others you may find on the field trip to the fossil pit! (Fossils pictured are in the Foster & Glass Collection; photos by Foster & Glass). PAGE 38 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:3 DEEPWATER SHELLING INA LAND-BASED DUMP by CORINNE E. EDWARDS It was after A.M.U’s 1966 meeting that I first shelled on a scallop dump in North Carolina, where 180 species were reported to have been found. While at A.M.U.’s 1971 meeting at Cocoa Beach, Florida, I again collected small but choice shells and perfect pairs of quarter-sized “lion’s paws’, Lyro- pecten nodosus, on a scallop dump right beside the road. In October 1971, and again in 1972, while giving shell programs to children at the John Young Museum in Orlando, I was treated to trips for brilliant, little, one-inch “lion’s paws” and other very special shell-collecting on a scallop dump in the woods and another one within the restricted entrance of a city dump at Cape Canaveral. It was there that I found my first egg case mass of Tonna galea. I even did a blue-ribbon shell show exhibit with my “take.” One case was made up of 40 quarter-size brilliant red “lion’s paws”, and I also showed pictures of grown women scrunched down grubbing in piles of dead, smelly shells. Then, in 1981, Florida shell club members discovered a commercial scallop fishery was dumping their waste material in a land-fill area at Port Canaveral near the Kennedy Space Center. I have a list of 108 univalve and 63 bivalve species from this dump; others, who have shelled there more than I, or who bring home buckets of small debris to scan under a microscope, may have many more species than that. There are some species being found that are not yet identiffied —all from shelling on dry land — a small rake is the only equipment one needs, except a strong stomach to withstand the smell of a scallop dump under the hot Florida sun. Florida's east coast scallop beds were discovered in 1960 and by 1969-70 the yearly yield was 180-196,000 pounds of meat valued at $172-196,000.00. The scallop beds extend over 200 miles of a 1200 square mile area. The greatest con- centration is located in bands 800 meters long and several 100 meters wide off Cape Canaveral. Pecten gibbus became Aequipecten gibbus and, in 1969, Tom Waller placed the “calico scallop” in the genus Argo- pecten. The left or upper valve is mottled red-maroon on a yellow-white background. The right or lower valve is mottled, but lighter in color. The meat, or the scallop muscle itself, though small, is said to be sweeter and the richest of all the scallops. The calico scallop is hermaphroditic, in the spawning season the sperm and then the eggs are ejected into the water to be fertilized. The life span is given as 24 months and full size as 80 mm. One enemy, other than the scallop draggers (not shell collectors overcollecting) is the sea star, and, for older specimens, it is a heavy encrustation or fouling of the upper valve which restricts its ability to swim or jet away when it senses an approaching sea star. As soon as the scallop boats come in, I believe the trawled or dredged load is fed into a hopper and into a moving belt where helpers throw off large fish and large shells so that usable scallops can be seen and rapidly picked off, sent down a shute to the shore-based plant and machine processed to get the edible muscle. Scallops must be handled quickly and refrigerated. Trucks are loaded with the unwanted and still alive sea life coming off the moving belt. These loads consist of unbelievable numbers of small, clean, pink and white unwanted calico scallops, deep water mollusks of all kinds, fish, crustaceans, echinoderms, coral and sponge. At the land fill area that “stuff’ soon becomes, like all dead sea life, very smelly, full of maggots and covered with swarms of flies. Sea gulls, terns, roseate spoonbills, egrets, pelicans and other birds feed at the scallop dump. If you know how clumsily the pelican is as it tries to get airborne, then you can understand that some of these big birds become partly buried as they eagerly flock to the rich feast of flounder, octopus and squid even at it is falling from the uptilted dump trucks. Shell collectors leave home before daybreak, or stay over- night at Cocoa Beach motels, so as to have a whole day or two of raking down the piles searching for plentiful and colorful deepwater shells - most of which run much larger than similar species near shore. It is backbreaking work searching among the masses of scallops, scallop shells, fish, eels, crabs of all species and other wasted material. We try to keep out of the way of trucks, often help rescue half-buried pelicans, and hope that the bulldozers don’t come right away to flatten out the piles. We take garbage pails to the dump and great tightly covered containers for our collected still- alive or very dead shells. I carry formaldehyde solution for fixing crustaceans, echinoderms, rock shrimp, Bat Fish, Sea Horses and adorable, little, cookie-shaped sea stars — all for use in my three-day school programs on marine science. Would you believe we make 500 mile round trips in one day to collect dead and dying shells on dry land? We often leave behind our saturated, smelly sneakers and gloves. Would you believe we might even order scallops at the nearby restaurant if we stay overnight? We find ever-so-many species of deep- water shells that are much larger and more colorful than any of those that may be nearer shore as we snorkel for shells. Scallop dump collecting becomes a mania. We go again and again. I was happy to find Sinum maculatum, the brownish “baby’s ear,” at the dump where we pick it up with its huge, purple body almost hiding the shell — I gathered plenty of them to preserve, body and all. We exclaim over Conus delessertii, Sozon’s cone, C. stimpsoni and Julia’s cone, now called Conus amphiurgus. I found my biggest and best Scaphella junonia on a flat area already bulldozed over, but they are not commonly found in the land-fill area. Back in 1971 we could gather a bucket full of junonias at the city dump but now-a-days the scallop boat crews know their value. They pick out the junonias and large shells in good condition - “lion’s paws” and other special shells. Buyers meet the boats and buy whole boxes of junonias or other sorted shells for a price they can live with. Then they process them, doctor up any chipped lips, and sell them individually for a good price. That is why we do not often find junonias, or large or special shells in good condition in the land-fill scallop dump. Even pickers at the moving belt save shells, so we have ‘learned to visit them or talk with the truck drivers and can buy fairly good, large shells for a dollar each — “knobby lion’s paws”, Lyropecten nodosus; Cymatium parthenopeum; Helmets; Charonia var- iegata, the “trumpet trition”; Busycon carica and more. We go up to the scallop dump again and again for shells to clean for sales tables or for shell craft sales at our various Florida shell shows. Many shell club members collect at the dump to trade or to sell or maybe just to be able to make amazing growth series of shells once thought scarce. I like to clean and lay out whole trays of one species, say Conus delessertii, or Phalium granulatum (North Carolina’s official state shell) just to see the variations in size, shape and color patterns of the species — it beats looking at just one picture in a shell book or on a screen where we are are told “This is a VOLUME 11:3 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 39 “sozoni’ or that is a “scotch bonnet” - one is amazed at the variations. Some of my favorite dump shells are yellow Murex rubidus, several color forms of Oliva reticularis in eye-popping sizes, “sun dials” (Architectonica nobilis are really big ones), Dis- torsio clathrata and D. constricta macgintyi in enough speci- mens to really see the differences. I have a love for “ark shells’ so keep picking up great, periostracum-covered Anadara lienosa floridana. I like to get and compare all four species of Cymatium that are found at the dump. Pleuroploca gigantea, the official Florida State Shell, is found at the dump and I have been lucky enough to buy or find nice black periostracum-covered ones with brilliant orange aperture (and shell itself orange if or when I take off that black coat); but my favorite ones from the dump are P. p. reevei, the so-called “bumpless wonder” or “knobless wonder’ and credited only to Sanibel or Florida's southwest coast - but there they are, coming in from offshore deep water. In great quantities we collect pairs of Chione latiliarata, the “Imperial Venus”, which I have never before found alive or in pairs. Macrocallista maculata, the “checkerboard” or “calico clam”, is a nice big size so we treasure pairs of them as well as ever so many Pecten raveneli “fan shells” — one collector interested only in shellcraft kept breaking his apart and only saving the flat valve! My favorite dump shell, for display and gift-giving and for shell show sales, is the big spiny Murex fulvescens with operculum or with the nice red hermit crab, Petrochirus diogenes, still in it. Once at the dump, one pile seemed to be mostly this giant murex. Each shell was heavily covered with tall, purple-yellow egg capsules. The scallop trawler must have scooped up a great communal gathering of females laying their egg capsules on each other's shell. Another time at the dump the pile I chose might be rich with great purple, flat “sea biscuits’ — every visit to the dump is different. You should try it and take your chances of making a haul or finding the area bulldozed over and you will have fo walk over the area doing the “Sanibel Bend“. You will still find “sun dials”, distorsios, tulips, “apple murex” with pink aper- tures, big “shark eyes”, cones........ that is how I found my best junonia - on the flat. Voluta (Scaphella) junonia Shaw, 1808 (taken from Wagner & Abbott’s Standard Catalog of Shells, American Malacologists, 3rd edition, 1978). SHELLS IN PRINT by RICHARD L. GOLDBERG 49-77 Fresh Meadow Lane, Flushing, N.Y. 11365 LIVING SEASHELLS by Scott Johnson One of the fascinating aspects of our hobby is the diverse side interests that we get involved with. Those who are field collectors, whether reef walkers or scuba divers, know that the animal or mollusk that inhabits the oceans provide as much curiosity as the shells themselves. Most of the molluscan literature deals with the sculpture, beauty and scientific aspects of the shell, but few if any illustrate the animal. This void has been partially filled with the release of Living Seashells by Scott Johnson (Oriental Publishing Co., Hawaii). This 116 page, all color, soft-bound book is a compilation of the author's field photo- graphs showing the animal and shell as you might encounter it in its habitat. The photographs and color reproduction are excellent and undoubtedly took the author many years to amass such a fine set. Each shell has its Latin and common name, along with the size of the illustrated shell. The photographs are grouped by family and each family is introduced with some text. A short introduction opens the book discussing the Animal and Distribution, and two short sections conclude the book covering camera techniques (underwater), and Conservation. Even though Living Seashells might not fit into the category of an identification book for the shells, it provides a fascinating look at the animals that produce these shells we collect, and may just make us respect and understand why we must protect our oceans. As Mr. Johnson states in the book, “As long as the habitat is not damaged, changed or destroyed, rational activities of shell collectors are pro- bably not detrimental to shell populations.” A Review of the Columbariinae (Gastropoda: Turbinellidae) of the Western Atlantic with Notes on the Anatomy and Systematic Relationships of the Subfamily by M.G. Harasewych (Scientific Paper: NEMOURIA - No. 27, April 29, 1983) In this recent paper published in Nemouria (Occasional Papers of the Delaware Museum of Natural History), the author places this group in Subfamily status of the Turbinellidae. Three new species are proposed, Fulgurofusus (Fulgurofusus) ecphoroides, F. (Histricosceptrum) xenismatis, and F. (Peristarium) timor. Their type localities are 180 miles N.E. of Tijoca, Para, Brazil, in 150 fathoms; off northeastern Nicaragua in 192-263 meters; and off Cape Fear, North Carolina, in 407 fathoms, respectively. All of the known species of the western Atlantic are well illustrated, and the author has covered anatomical and well as morphological data. The research is in depth and this is the most current and important paper on this group to date. it is available from the Delaware Museum, Box 3937, Greenville, DE, 19807, at the cost of $2.00. CLUB NEWS On May 5th 1983 the reorganization of the Low Country Shell Club of Charleston South Carolina took place at the home of Raymond Pease. Officers elected were, Raymond Pease president, Mary Robb vice-president, Mary Kick secretary, Walter Morgan treasurer. Meetings will take place at 7:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the Jewish Community Center on Wallenberg Blvd. All vistors welcome. Additional information and all correspondence can be sent to Mary Robb, 2213 Pinehurst Ave., Charleston, S.C. 29407. PAGE 40 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:3 C.0.A. GRAND TROPHY WINNER Fig. 1. Don Young with his C.O.A. Grand Trophy. Sarasota Shell Show, Florida Jan. 28-30, 1983 Winner: Don Young Title of display: The Adopted Shells Don Young’s award winning exhibit presented the marine, land, freshwater and fossil shells that are either the adopted emblem, symbol, logo, insignia or official shell(s) of the 161 Shell Clubs and Malacological Societies around the world. Included in this 45 foot long display were their club pins, T-shirts and publications. In addition to the C.O.A. Grand Trophy, the exhibit won the “Most Beautiful Award” and the “Exhibitors Award.” Don started collecting shells soon after retiring to Treasure Island, Florida in 1978. It was when he cut a big toe on a “Lightning Whelk” (Busycon contratium) while swimming at Fort De Soto park. He retrieved the live 11 inch specimen. .. and became addicted. He says that he is not seeking a cure! el Fig. 2. Kermit & Gloria Pearson, Cape Coral, Florida Sanibel Shell Show, Sanibel, FL, 3-6 March, 1983 Winners: Kermit & Gloria Pearson Display: Self Collected Shells of Micronesia 11 cases totalling 27% feet consisting of the families Mitridae, Conidae and Terebridae Kermit was born in Iowa and his profession was a radar engineer. Gloria was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and was a commercial artist. They spent 5 years on Kwajalein Atoll in the central Pacific where they began collecting seashells by reef walking, snorkeling and SCUBA diving. Ss British National Shell Show (orgainzed by the B.S.C.C.), London, 23 April 1983. Winner: Mr. Alex R. Arthur Title of display: Trochidae In The Mediterranean Sea A comprehensive captioned display of the Trochidae in the Med- jterranean which included many seldom seen, poorly known species and varieties. Alex Arthur, 21, has been collecting seriously for several years, and specializes in the family Cymatiidae and in Mediterranean Marine Mollusca. His collections of these categories are probably the best in the U.K. He began collecting seriously whilst living in Italy. This years’ B.S.C.C. show was the first time that A. Arthur has exhibited in a shellshow. _ SEASH IG SEASHELLS — Fig. 3. Bill & Sue Vaughan’s award winning display, “Collecting Seashells”. Jacksonville Shell Show, Jacksonville, Florida July 29-31, 1983 winners: Bill & Sue Vaughan title of display: Collecting Seashells The exhibit showed where to find shells in shallow water, snorkel- ing, scuba diving and dredging. Also shown were the seven classes of mollusks, including details on their eating, defense and reproductive habits. Besides live photos there were models of many mollusks. An aquarium and a video presentation accompanied the exhibit. Bill & Sue Vaughan have been shell collectors since 1978, but according to Sue, “We really didn’t consider it a real hobby until we moved to Georgia from California 2 years ago, and joined the Georgia Shell Club. That is where we have gained our knowledge and caught the ‘bug’ of shell collecting, now we're hooked.” They also received the duPont Trophy for their lovely display at the Georgia Shell Show in March. C.O.A. Grand Trophy winners or shell show chairpersons are invited to submit information about winning exhibits and photo- graphs for possible inclusion in the Bulletin. Please include stamped, self-addressed envelope if pictures are to be returned. Shell shows which wish to award the C.O.A. Grand Trophy should apply by writing to Anne Joffe, 1163 Kittiwake Circle, Sanibel Island, FL 33957. VOLUME 11:3 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 41 Fig. 1 (left). A fine specimen of Chicoreus thomasi (Crosse & Fischer) in the collection of Rev. Jack Wilkens, Florida, collected by diver in 60 ft., in rock crevices off Van Vatu in the Marquesas Islands. This taxon, described in 1872, was treated (incorrectly in our opinion) as a synonym of C. maurus by Radwin & D’Attilio. Fig. 2 (above, right). A normal and rare sinistral (or “left handed”) form of Polinices mamilla L. (AbS 83-488, 489), collected in 1979 10 ft. of water in the Sulu Sea, Philippines; approx. X 1.6. SHELLS FOR THE AMATEUR by R. FOSTER & C. GLASS Fig. 4 (below, left). Morum cancellata (Sowerby), trawled in deep water out of Taiwan. This species is distinguished from the other larger species by its white base (approx. X 2). Fig. 5 (below, right). Turbo sarmaticus L., from Table Bay to Transkei in South Africa where it is referred to as “ollycrock” (from the Dutch word for “periwinkle”). Baked in their shells the meat is a local delicacy! Note the marvelously textured operculum! Fig. 3 (above). Lyria vicdani Kosuge, a new species from Balut, Philippines. This specimen (AbS 83-487), 53 mm long, was taken in deep water by gill nets in May of 1982. PAGE 42 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:3 KWAJALEIN ATOLL 1A ve vee UJAJHRUKKU PASS WOJEIROK Liam EWMUGENLIGGEL AP OMELEK ER PASS paweta' ORTH AMBO CHAN PASS ——ENIWETAK PA: ~ ‘ BIGEJ eine PASS NIGHT DIVING—KWAJ STYLE By JEANETTE HAMMON The Marshall Islands are located approximately 2400 miles SW of Hawaii and consist of 33 coral atolls. The largest of these, and in fact, the largest atoll in the world, is Kwajalein, with nearly 90 tiny coconut palm covered islands strung like emeralds on a necklace of coral reef. Once the scene of a fierce battle during WW II between the Japanese and Amer- icans, several of the islands, including Kwajalein, are now leased by the U.S. for military missile testing and tracking. Kwajalein is the temporary home for 3000 civilian personnel which support this Army test site. Sunset at Kwajalein Atoll brings the end of another glorious tropical day to most of the residents, but to a few SCUBA divers, it means the beginning of an exciting shell collecting adventure. Leaving Kwajalein harbor at least half an hour before sunset insures enough daylight to locate a good anchorage along the outer reef dropoff. Once safely anchored, there is an hour or so before the dive to recheck gear, have dinner, or just relax and watch for the elusive green flash as the sun sets. Night diving along the west reef began at Kwajalein in 1972, primarily for shell collecting, and for the past eleven years much has been learned about the mollusks that inhabit this reef at depths ranging from 20’ to 70’. A popular and heavily dived area during the day, night diving here reveals hundreds of mollusks, a few of which are extremely rare GEA PASS CEA EWNYLABEGAN SOUTH PASS Fig. 1. Map of Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. WAKE K P2557 Fig. 2. Kwajalein, 2,400 miles southwest of Hawaii. during the day but found with some regularity at night and without ever having to turn over a rock! As the dive begins, some 60 minutes after sunset, two buddy pairs of divers enter the water with the first priority given to a quick check of the two anchors to make sure the lines are not chaffing against the sharp coral. Two lights are carried by each diver to safeguard against an all too common VOLUME 11:3 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN light failure. As the hunt begins, the buddy pairs split off in different directions along the drop-off which begins at a depth of 20’ and slopes down at a 50° to 80° angle to a depth of 12,000 feet! Following the reef, one diver takes the shallow end at say, 50’ and the other 10’ beneath him at 60’. Surely the most exciting shell found at this depth is the “Golden Cowry’, Cypraea aurantium. Occasionally found in small caves and under ledges during the day, they are frequently found at night crawling with their mantle extend- ed, in the open. As your lightbeam falls upon one of these exquisite mollusks, its light sensitive mantle parts to reveal the brilliant orange shell, an experience no one is ever likely to forget. Other cowries found along the drop-off are: Cypraea argus, beckii, bistrinotata, carneola, childreni, cribraria, hel- vola, fimbriata, isabella, mappa, margarita, mariae, microdon, nucleus, poraria, punctata, scurra, teres, testudinaria, and tigris. Many of these do not retract their mantle when exposed to a divers light and may go unnoticed until you learn to recognize them. Fig. 3. Conus auricomus coll. by author, shown slightly enlarged (Photo Foster & Glass). Conus auricomus is an uncommon shell and when. found is often crabbed. It became the object of a year-long search to locate a live specimen for my collection. Several live shells had been found by other divers at night in small caves and a few under rocks along the drop-off during the day. It was my frustrating experience to find a Kwaj. record specimen, 56.4 mm, dark colored and perfect except for a huge bite taken out of one side presumably by a species of fish (Wrasse) that preys on mollusks in this area. It was recommended that I search the small caves and overhangs along the drop-off and in the surge channels, a habitat frequented by many mollusk species some of which are certain to be hunted by C. auricomus which is consid- ered to be molluscivorus. One night around 11pm in Decem- ber after 40 minutes of a rather unsuccessful shell dive, I discovered a perfect 45 mm specimen just emerging from behind a cave wall at a depth of 35’ far up in the shallower end of a surge channel. My heart was pounding but more than the excitment, I remember thinking over and over, “finally!” Other cones found oceanside of west reef are Conus auratus, boeticus, capitaneus, coelinae, cylindraceus, distans, floccatus, geographus, glans, imperialis, legatus, litoglyphus, luteus, marmoreus, moreleti, nussatella, obscurus, pertusus, ret- ifer, tenuistriatus, terebra, varius and vexillum. PAGE 43 Always uncommon are the murex but often a red sponge covered (or perhaps it is periostracum) Chicoreus saulii is spotted out in the open. Other murex include Chicoreus microphyllus, Naquetia trigonula and triquetra. Bi-valves are found in small honeycomb-like holes while terebras, nassarius, olivas, strombus, turrids, ceriths, miters and some cones are found near or in sand pockets or sand covered ledges. The majority of shells listed are found crawl- ing on rocks, in small caves or on hard algae covered substrata. My favorite finds were among the Mitridae and Costel- lariidae and include Mitra nivea, fulvescens, ustulata, Vexil- lum crocatum, speciosum, interruptum, Pusia millecostatum, microzonias, catenatum, turben and Thala mirifica to name a few. The shells listed above represent but a partial list of what has been found with some regularity but certainly not by all divers or at all times. Weather, moon phase and time of year play an important part in determining the degree of shell activity and added to these is the limited amount of time divers are able to spend in the water. At 50-60’, the length of our dive is limited to 50 or 60 minutes depending on air consumption. With a short surface interval, another dive can be made to 30-40’ for about an hour. Finding one new species and 3 or 4 unflawed specimens for your collection is considered to be a very good night. The thrill of night diving is not limited to finding mollusks but to discovering the great diversity of creatures that venture out from beneath the rocks to feed and mate. Feather stars, shrimp, urchins, starfish and crabs are found everywhere along with sleeping parrot fish and occasionally a sleeping turtle. Lion fish as well as eels of all sizes are active and hunting for food. Tiny krill by the thousands sometimes surround our lights, much like moths to a flame, often obscuring the light and plunging us into almost total darkness. White tip and grey sharks cruise past at a distance and often circle perhaps out of curiosity or to let us know we've entered their territory. They are always intimidating and many a first time night diver has found sharks to be an unacceptable factor of the night diving experience in spite of the fact that there has never been a serious problem with sharks in the 11 years of oceanside night diving at Kwajalein. Persistence, feeling at ease in the night diving environment, experience in recognizing the living mollusks and most importantly, luck in shining your light in the right place at the right time, are the secrets to successful shelling at night. Fig. 4. Kwajalein Island, in the southern corner of Kwajalein Atoll, as seen from the air. CALIFORNIA SEASHELLS PART V: TURBINIDAE by C. GLASS & R. FOSTER Only two genera of “turban shells” or trochids are repre- sented in California’s coastal waters, namely Astraea and Homalopoma. The astraeas are among the larger of California's marine mollusks, the homalopomas among the smallest. As we stated in the last article) members of the Turbinidae are separated from those of the closely related Trochidae by their calcareous, thickened operculum. Astraea undosa (Wood, 1828), the “wavy turban”, because of its size and visibility, is the most commonly encountered in the waters off southern California. It is separated into the subgenus, Megastraea by virtue of its large, thick, fibrous periostracum and sculptured, triridged operculum. Its closest relative is A. turbanica (Dall, 1910) off Baja California. The shell of A. undosa is pink to tan to occasionally white, particularly in the final whorl of extra large specimens; the earlier whorls are darker. The swollen, convex whorls are sculptured with ripple-like, slanting undulations which run perpendicular to the “grain” or angle of the aperture; these ripples or ridges often break up in the lower portion of the whorl into warts or bumps. The most prominent characteristic of the species, however, and the one which gives it its name, is the flaring, wavy, enlarged periphery of the whorl, similar to the edge of a pie crust shell. The shell is covered with a thick, rich brown periostracum, the texture of matted hair. This periostracum makes the shell relatively easy to clean since the encrustations pop off rather readily once the periostracum is dissolved in chlorine. Occasionally shells are found with only a soft, mustard color encrustation which scrapes off quite easily, leaving the periostracum intact which may then be preserved with a solution of glycerine and water. The base of A. undosa is characterized by (3-)5-6 sometimes quite prominent spiral cords and by the absence of an umbilicus. The size is given as 50 (to 75) to 110 mm in height. Our largest shell, AbS #82-399, measures nearly 120 mm in height through the central axis to the level of the lowest point and 138 mm in maximum diameter. Shells of this exceptional size we have mostly found in about 50 ft. of water Fig. 1. Astraea undosa (AbS 81-2691) from about 30-55 ft. off the Santa Barbara Channel Islands, approx. X 0.7. Fig. 2 (right). Another specimen (AbS 806) from the same area, shown with its thick, dark, golden brown periostracum. Leg, Glass, Feb. 1981. on rocky reefs in kelp beds at an area known as “Yellow Banks” off the southeast end of Santa Cruz Island. The range if A. undosa extends from Point Conception to central Baja California. We have found it most commonly around Santa Cruz, Anacapa and Santa Rosa Islands in 30 to 50 feet of water. Astraea gibberosa (Dillwyn, 1817), the “red turban”, is considerably smaller than its cousin, brick-red in color, with- out the prominently wavy periphery or the thick, brown, fibrous periostracum; the operculum is smooth, white, convex, swollen, with a shallow furrow but without the deep, angular sculpturing of A. undosa. Characters it shares with the larger species are the similar, slanting undulations going against the grain or slope of the aperture and dissolving into 2 rows of bumps near the bottom, before the peripheral flare; darker early whorls; similarly but more tightly corded, beaded spiral ridges around the base, the grooves more prominent and narrower; and the absence of an umbilicus. A. gibberosa, where their ranges overlap, generally occurs at slightly greater depths than A. undosa, though we have occasionally found them sharing the same habitat: in 45 feet at “Sandspit”, southeast San Miguel Island, at Fraser Cove off the west end of Santa Cruz Island, near Gull Island off southern Santa Cruz, off Palos Verdes by Marineland, and off White Bluff on the east side of San Clemente Island. We have also found A. gibberosa at Carmel, on Naples and Camby reefs near Santa Barbara and Horseshoe Kelp reef out of the Los Angeles Harbor, but most abundantly around San Miguel Island in 45 to 70 feet and in about 65 ft. off the south- western side of Santa Rosa Island. In the northern, colder part of its range it occurs in shallower water. Its range is from Queen Charlotte Island off British Columbia to Magdalena Bay, Baja California. Height for A. gibberosa is given as 30-50(-75) mm; our tallest specimen, AbS #82-1455, measures 42 mm high and 50 mm in diameter; our broadest specimen, AbS #82-354, mea- sures 39 mm in height but 56.5 mm in diameter, so the VOLUME 11:3 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 45 Fig. 3 (below, top). Astraea gibberosa, AbS 82-354 coll. by Glass & Nydam, 1/82, in 50-60 ft. on rock bottom off S.W. Sta. Rosa Island, approx. X 1.5. Fig. 4. (below, middle). A. gibberosa, AbS 82-974 coll. by Glass & Conrad, 3/82, in 30-60 ft. by Gull Is. off Sta. Cruz Is., approx. X 1.5. Fig. 5. (below, bottom). A. gibberosa, AbS 82-1455 coll. by Glass & Gerdan, 6/82 off “White Bluff’, S.E. San Clemente Is. in 40-50 ft., approx. X 1.6. conical shape is obviously somewhat variable. A good shell is hard to find! Most specimens are heavily encrusted, and with its thinner, closely adhering periostracum, encrustations are difficult to remove. Often, underneath, the shell is badly eroded. This species, undoubtedly because of its characteristically variable sculpturing, has many synonyms, among them: A. inaequalis Martyn, A. guadalupeana Berry, A. montereyensis Oldroyd, A. lithophorum Dall and A. magdalena Dall, Turbo rutilus C.B. Adams, T. ochraceus Philippi and T. diadematus Valenciennes. Five or six species of Homalopoma are listed for California: H. luridum Dull, H. carpenteri Pilsbry, H. baculum Carpenter, H. paucicostatum Dall, H. juanensis Dall and H. grippi Dall; H. carpenteri is considered by some a synonym of H. luridum. Those who recognize it, separate it on the basis of larger size and greater number of spiral cords. Here it is treated as a synonym. H. baculum is similar but smaller (to 4 mm) and smoother. Fig. 6 (top row, left). Homalopoma grippi (Dall, 1911), Abs 83-157 ex Thelma Crow, Isthmus, Catalina Is., 30-60 fm, 1970, approx. X 2.5. Fig. 7 (top, center). H. baculum (Cpr., 1864), AbS 83-154, leg. J. Wilkins, Carmel, 1968, approx. X2. Fig. 8 (top, right). H. berryi McLean, 1964, AbS 83-153, leg. Thelma Crow, dredged off Ensenada, Mexico in 20-40 ft, 1961, approx X 3. Fig. 9 (bottom row). H. luridum, AbS 83-221-223, leg. Glass & Yu, May 1983 in 20-40 ft. under rocks, Cueva Valdez, Sta. Cruz Island, approx. 1.6. Homalopoma luridum (Dall, 1885), the “dark, dwarf tur- ban’, is the main species with which we are familiar. It is likely to be overlooked or undiscovered by divers as its main habitat seems to be the underside of rocks. Fortunately the magnification effect of the air space in the diver’s face mask makes the critters easier to see (but no easier to pick up, especially with thick divers’ gloves!). We have found it most commonly under rocks at the base of a landslide in 20 to 40 ft. of water at Cueva Valdez Anchorage on the front side of Santa Cruz Island. We have also collected the species on Naples Reef, west of Santa Barbara, by Fraser Cove, Yellow Banks and Twin Harbors at Santa Cruz Island and on “Coral Reefs” off the backside of the large island of the Anacapas. The range is from Sitka, Alaska to San Geronimo Island off Baja California. The shells are 5 to 9 mm high, brownish, dark gray, brownish red to pink, occasionally with a white or orange band and with rounded spiral cords around the body whorl. The columella is pearly white and the operculum thick and calcareous but flattened. REFERENCES: Abbott, R. Tucker, 1964. American Seashells. Van Nostrand, New York. McLean, James H., 1969. Marine Shells of Southern California Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, CA. PAGE 46 ‘ CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:3 hamaron TALK A FRIEND into joining the C.O.A. We will all benefit from a larger membership. Let’s make a goal of over 1,000 members by the end of the year and 1,500 by the end of 1984! 229 West Second Street Deer Park New York 11729 U.S.A 516 586-7830 SHELLING AT PUERTO PENASCO Gulf of California by MARI HUGHES OEE Dealer in Fine Quality Collectors’ Specimen Shells Shellshock Quality specimen shells. from the indo-pacific region My vagabond shoes led me back to Mexico for shelling in a new area. I joined Anne Gardiner and son, Alan and friends in Tucson and drove to beautiful Puerto Penasco, Sonora, on the Sea of Cortez. We shelled there at Rocky Point and Playa Encanto nearby. We collected on the early morning tides as well as night low tides and had very good luck. This was in June, before the tourist season, so we were quite alone. All shells were mature and exceptionally large. We were happy to fine large Pinctada mazatlanica (Hanley, 1854), heavy thick Oliva incrassata (Lightfoot, 1786), Murex erythrostomus (Swainson, 1831) and Murex nigritus Philippi, 1845, large Conus perplexus Sowerby, 1837, many more shells | David Luchow 516°74602355 of both bivalves and univalves. | BU Eastoticet Mew Hyde alk Fellow C.O.A. members have asked about accomodations | Ne ee ae on the beach at Rocky Point. So for the others who may wish : to go, there is a large trailer park and rental space at a camping ground right next to the rock. Fig. 1. The long and short of it: Oliva incrassata Lightfoot, 1786, AbS 76-128 (left) orig. from Mrs. Sayers, coll. at Palos Secos ‘Bay, Selected Specimen Shells Panama; and (right) a small but mature specimen (AbS 83-437) collected with SCUBA by Glass at Punta Chivato north of Mulege, Gulf of California, Baja California Sur, July, 1983, at night in sand in P.O. Box 3332 20-30 ft. Both shells are shown at natural size. Oak Brook, IL 60521 Chicago Suburb-For Visits, Call (312)963-7551 Inquiries Welcome-No Lists LA CONCHIGLA - A CLASSIC Since 1969, devoted to worldwide Malacology and Conchology Bimonthly magazine in color English and Italian Editions Subscription rates: $12.00 U.S. by surface mail $18.00 U.S. by air for U.S.A. Inquire about back numbers available Address: Via C. Federici 1 00147, Rome (Italy) VOLUME 11:3 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN PAGE 47 22762 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California 90265 RARE SHELLS OUR SPECIALITY Largest stock of world-wide specimens on the West Coast. Plus unique and beautiful fine art, carvings, handicrafted Jewelry, Weavings - all related to the Sea. RETAIL ONLY - No Lists or Catalogues We do our best to answer specific request sent by mail. For a truly delightful experience - Visit the Tidepool! Ask any collector! DISPLAY \- STANDS Large selection of acrylic displays especially for shells and minerals. wholesale only VENUS DISPLAYS 10713 ASHBY AVE. Los Angeles, Ca. 90064 (213) 836-3177 THE WORLD’S MOST COMPLETE OFFERING OF SHELLS FROM THE PANAMIC PROVINCE The Panamic Province includes the Pacific side of tropical America from west Mexico to Ecuador CATALOG 36 pages of rarely offered shells Yao Me Mim (c-SaUlalo[-] ol(-Mel aim tlech mel col-19) PANAMIC SPECIMEN SHELLS 3846 E. HIGHLAND e PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85018 USA Over 3,000 species regularly in stock! We will select your shells as if they were for our own collection... Bob Foster & Charles Glass Pie Abbey, Specimen Shells P.O. Box 3010 Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (805) 963-3228 P.O. BOX 3519 FULLERTON, CA 92631 USA Tel. (714) 992-1030 SHELL SHELTER * WORLD WIDE SHELLS — SPECIMEN QUALITY LARGEST SELECTION OF RARE SHELLS ON WEST COAST -and we’re very very, picky! Advertising in the Bulletin is pre- sented as a service to our member- ship, but does not automatically im- ply Bulletin endorsement of the ad- vertisers. Advertising space is avail- able at the rate of $60.00 for a half page; yearly rate (4X): $225.00; quarter page: $40.00; yearly rate: $150.00; eighth page: $25.00; year- ly rate: $90.00; minimum ad (1”): $15.00; yearly rate: $55.00. Except for the minimum size ads, camera- ready copy is preferred and copy may be changed for any issue. Dead- lines are month prior to publication months (ie., by January 3lst for the March Bulletin, etc.) Send advertis- ing copy and fees to The Editor, box 3010, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. SPECIMENS SOLD RECENTLY AND USUALLY IN STOCK INCLUDE — Cyp, broderipii, valentia, vredenburgi, sakurai, guttata, kuroharai, joyceae, rosselli. Conus crocatus, dusaveli, neptunus, cervus, milneedwardsii, proximus, architha- lassus, armadillo. Murex phyllopterus, loebbecki, laqueatus, marumai. Spondylus gloriosus. Pleurotomaria rumphii, schmalzi. Voluta taiwanica, kawamurai, coni- formis, perplicata, rossiniana and many more. — NO LISTS — PLEASE SEND FOR WANTS PAGE 48 ye i _CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN _ VOLUME 11:3 RARE AND EXOTIC SPECIMEN SHELLS for the discriminating collector Free price list MAL DE MER ENTERPRISES P.O. Box 482 792 Evergreen Drive West Hempstead, New York 11552, U.S.A. Phone: (516) 481-0456 = WORLDWIDE SPECIMEN ’ SHELLS re ar / ¥ 4 hoo P YOUR ONE STOP... $: MARINE & LAND aA gx SHELL CONNECTION VF "4 BUY ¢ SELL e EXCHANGE, ! .. sv HMS—ISGS GRADING, AND “ic” FOR YOUR FREE LIST WRITE: Richard | Goldberg’ s WorldWide Specimen Shells 49-77 Fresh Meadow Lane Flushing, N.Y. 11365 |} U.S.A. PHILLIP W. CLOVER Dealer in World Wide Sea Shells since 1960 Specializing ww in Latiaxis, Murex, Morums, Marginella Mitra, Conus, Cypraea, Voluta, Cancellaria, Typhis, Trophons, and out of print Sea Shell Books. Phone # 707-996-6960 Write for Free Price Lists. P.O. Box 83 - Glen Ellen - Calif. 95442 House of Quality and Service "RICHARD M. KURZ. INC. 1575 NORTH 118th STREET WAUWATOSA, WI 53226 U.S.A. Dealer in Fine and Rare Specimen Shells of Superior Quality The very best shells, at the very best prices WRITE FOR FREE PRICE LIST SHELLS BOUGHT, SOLD AND TRADED LARGEST MAIL ORDER SEASHELL DEALER IN THE U.S.A. .CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOL. 11, NO. 4 DECEMBER, 1983 or pm, ar hw Lerrel aoa 2 é mt pee, . ae em eae VOOR erin / (ots Salar “” Te Lee Ree deel i | : A iN. | 3 i : D ! apAarriLve 4 (0/7 # PAGE 50 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN VOLUME 11:4 A €oliective Devotion To Advancing- Conchology. ele nenanneneennt cshetelcehsebaeharis ‘a SR ‘ ee ee SOOOG e, 2.8 @. 0,02. 0.6.0 © Gy In 1972, a group of shell collectors saw the need for a national organization [Be devoted to the interests of shell collectors. Thus, CONCHOLOGISTS OF B® AMERICA, INC. was formed — for amateur collectors interested in the TR beauty of shells, their scientific aspects and the collecting and preservation of BRS mollusks. The membership includes novices, as well as advanced collectors, J scientists and shell dealers from around the country and world. An annual convention is held each year in a different part of the country. OFFICERS President: Richard H. Jones; 1432 Dorsh Road, South Euclid, Ohio 44121 Vice-President: Richard Forbush; 1104 Sklar Dr. E., Venice, Florida 33595 Secretary/Historian: Mrs. Jay Tripp 212 Connecting Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228 Treasurer: Clair Stahl 3235 N.E. 61st Ave., Portland, Oregon 97213 Membership Chairperson: Phyllis Pipher 1116 N Street, Tekamah, Nebraska 86061 Trophy Chairperson: Anne Joffe 1163 Kittiwake Circle, Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 BULLETIN STAFF Editor: Charles Glass Box 3010, Santa Barbara, California 93105 Managing Editor: Robert Foster Box 3010, Santa Barbara, California 93105 i «