HELP identify this Abalone? found on FL west coast. LOTS of PICS

[willko1]

Found this Abalone? Shell at the high tide mark on the beach today and was wondering what type it was and why it’s in Florida as from what I’ve been reading it shouldn’t be here.  I have lived in Nokomis (1 hour south of Tampa) FL for 17 years and don’t think I have ever seen one.  Any and all info would be greatly appreciated.  Thank You

<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2666.jpg" alt="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2666.jpg" style="border:0" />  

<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2665.jpg" alt="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2665.jpg" style="border:0" />  

<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2663.jpg" alt="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2663.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2661.jpg" alt="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2661.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2660.jpg" alt="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2660.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2659.jpg" alt="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2659.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2658.jpg" alt="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2658.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2657.jpg" alt="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2657.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2656.jpg" alt="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2656.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2655.jpg" alt="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2655.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2651.jpg" alt="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2651.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2650.jpg" alt="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2650.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2649.jpg" alt="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2649.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2648.jpg" alt="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2648.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2646.jpg" alt="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/willko1/IMG_2646.jpg" style="border:0" />  <span class="petit">--Last edited by willko1 on 2007-05-24 06:34:23 --</span>

[paul monfils]

It appears to be Haliotis rufescens, the "red abalone" from western North America. This is a common item in tourist shops and gift shops everywhere, including Florida, so someone probably purchased it nearby and dropped it on the beach.

[willko1]

I'm not so much in a tourist area and it appears that it has been in the water for sometime,  KEY WEST Abalone or perhaps trade item for indians as it has some interesting wear marks.  It just seems odd to have somebody bring it from a tourist shop 10-15 miles away then leave it on the beach for it to be swept out tossed around for a while and then redeposited.  Just trying to keep an open mind.  But it is definatly a Red Abalone?

[paul monfils]

Yes, it's a red abalone. Few abalone species reach this size. That plus the typical reddish color, the red edge on the interior lip, the sculpture, the colors of the internal nacre, and the four open holes are all typical of Haliotis rufescens.  Here are a couple of pictures for comparison:

<a href="http://www.ryukogei.com/can%20161.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ryukogei.com/can%20161.jpg">http://www.ryukogei.com/can%20161.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

<a href="http://www.aquarium.co.jp/shell/gallery/akaneawabi.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.aquarium.co.jp/shell/gallery/akaneawabi.jpg">http://www.aquarium.co.jp/shell/gallery/akaneawabi.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>