Help with Buccinums needed

[tom heimer]

Does anyone know the difference between the Common Northen Buccinum (whelk) and the Plectrum Buccinum? It's hard to get info. on the latter. What are the geographical ranges of both? I think I have one of each, but not sure.

[dave r]

Hi Tom, do you know the latin names?
Dave

[tom heimer]

Buccinum undataum (Common Northern Whelk/Buccinum) and Buccinum plectrum (Sinuos Whelk or Plectrum Buccinum). TH

[dave r]

Tom, plectrum is only the Western Atlantic subspecies of B. undatum. Undatum is a very variable shell and I personally can see no particular differences between the two. Sorry I can't be of more help.Look on Eddie Hardy's site;www.gastropods.com  There are images of both there.
Dave

[tom heimer]

Dave, Thanks. I found examples of both on shellauction.net. You can see why the plectrum is only a subspecies. Very similar.