Classic Maya Shell Belt

[jamesdoyle1]

Hi, all -

Is there a way to determine the species of shell (Oliva? Olivella?) from this photo? This was likely a dance belt during the Classic Maya period, from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.

Thanks in advance!

James

<img src="http://i40.tinypic.com/1zoudqt.jpg" alt="http://i40.tinypic.com/1zoudqt.jpg" style="border:0" />

[paul monfils]

Hi James,

Definitely Oliva, not Olivella.  The image is a bit small on my monitor screen but I would guess Oliva spicata, assuming they are from the west coast.  If there is any chance they might be Caribbean then they could be Oliva reticularis but I think O. spicata is more likely.  The apparently darker shells peeking out from underneath might be Oliva polpasta, but I can't see them well enough to say anything more definite than that.  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2009-03-21 17:05:48 --</span>

[dave r]

Yucatan is on the Caribbean side so they would be O. reticularis.
Dave