help me identify please

[tomely]

Found in Melbourne Australia
<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/795359" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/795359">http://www.badongo.com/pic/795359</a><!-- m --></a>  <span class="petit">--Last edited by tomely on 2007-07-06 11:32:58 --</span>

[paul monfils]

This is Argonauta nodosa Lightfoot, 1786, the "Nodose Paper Nautilus". This is not actually a "shell" in the usual sense. Argonauta are octopus-like animals that don't have an actual shell, but which form these beautiful and fragile egg cases, or "brood chambers" in which to lay their eggs.  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2007-07-09 07:23:27 --</span>

[tomely]

Thanks Paul,
Fascinating !