Forums SEASHELL-COLLECTOR

hello. i am trying to identify these shells for a photo series i am doing. they were all collected on north carolina beaches.  i have included a US quarter for scale. any help would be great!

<a href="http://s668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/brian1379/" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://s668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/brian1379/">http://s668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/brian1379/</a><!-- m --></a>

Hi Brian,

1. Busycon sinistrum (Lightning Whelk) (juvenile)
2. Argopecten irradians (Bay Scallop)
3. Mercenaria mercenaria (Quahog)
4. Dinocardium robustum (Great Atlantic Cockle)
5. Mercenaria mercenaria (Quahog)
6. Busycon carica (Knobbed Whelk)

#5 shows the characteristics of Mercenaria better than #3 because #3 is more beachworn, but I believe they are both the same species.

Sorry Paul but I don't think #1 is B sinistrum, it is dextral for a start! I think it is a juvenile B. carica.
Dave

Right you are Dave!  I was misled by the bright color pattern.  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2009-08-10 23:17:13 --</span>

thanks for the IDs!