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+--- Thread: ID help - is it a tooth? (/showthread.php?tid=522)
ID help - is it a tooth? - doitforfenton - 12-20-2007
I found this on an Oregon beach. I thought for sure it was a tooth, but can't find any matches. Does anyone recognize it as a shell or a tooth? Here are photos (two are a little blurry, but you can see the shape) Also, it is about 1 inch wide, and is a little more textured than the photos appear (like a human tooth with small ridges)
<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492190" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492190">http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492190</a><!-- m --></a>
<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492194" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492194">http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492194</a><!-- m --></a>
<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492195" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492195">http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492195</a><!-- m --></a>
Thanks,
Chrissy
ID help - is it a tooth? - doitforfenton - 12-20-2007
I took some better pictures. These look pretty true to what it is. Thanks for your help.
<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492267" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492267">http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492267</a><!-- m --></a>
<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492270" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492270">http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492270</a><!-- m --></a>
<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492272" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492272">http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492272</a><!-- m --></a>
<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492274" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492274">http://www.badongo.com/pic/2492274</a><!-- m --></a>
ID help - is it a tooth? - taz - 12-21-2007
Looks like the eighth plate from a chiton.
ID help - is it a tooth? - paul monfils - 12-22-2007
Yes, this is the 8th plate or tail plate from Amicula stelleri, formerly called Cryptochiton stelleri, the Giant Pacific Chiton. Unlike most chiton species, the 8 shell plates of this species are completely internal, therefore not visible in the living animal.
ID help - is it a tooth? - doitforfenton - 12-22-2007
Thank you so much for your knowledgeable response! This is a great resource.
ID help - is it a tooth? - paul monfils - 12-29-2007
Here's a view of all 8 plates:
<a href="http://members.cox.net/mollusca/stelleri.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://members.cox.net/mollusca/stelleri.jpg">http://members.cox.net/mollusca/stelleri.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>
Also, I notice that in American Seashells, Abbott states the opposite of what I said above. According to Abbott, the current name (when the book was published over 30 years ago) was "Cryptochiton stelleri, formerly known as Amicula stelleri".