Forums SEASHELL-COLLECTOR

Please help me to identify this shell -- I'm an amateur and it was given to me as a gift, I have no idea how to find out what it is by myself!

Thank you in advance!

Embeminem

This shell is a member of a very large family of marine shells called "Trochidae", commonly known as "top shells".  This particular genus of top shells is called "Umbonium", and are commonly known as "button top shells".  The one you have is the commonest species of button top, scientific name "Umbonium vestiarium", common name "common button top".  It is very common throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region. This species occurs in a great variety of colors and patterns, some of which you can see here:

http://www.conchology.be/?t=66&family=&k...on_species=

http://www.gastropods.com/8/Shell_258.shtml

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P.S. - I have hundreds of these.  If you would like a few more in various colors and patterns, email me a shipping address.  If you click on my name in pink above, you will find the email connection.