ID of shells found on east coast of UAE / Oman

[hobbes1]

Hello,

I have only just found this forum (from surfing the net trying to work out what these shells are) and am very happy and hoping someone can help re the following ones

I currently live on the east coast of the UAE and these were found here recently and also just across the border in Oman

many thanks in advance (and hope photos work!) - my husband is also hoping I get to find out so that I can stop asking! lol


1. <a href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture023a.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture023a.jpg">http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii30 ... re023a.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

2. <a href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture020a.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture020a.jpg">http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii30 ... re020a.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

3. <a href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture016a.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture016a.jpg">http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii30 ... re016a.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

4. <a href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture015a.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture015a.jpg">http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii30 ... re015a.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

5. <a href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture014as.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture014as.jpg">http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii30 ... e014as.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

6. <a href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture013a.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture013a.jpg">http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii30 ... re013a.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

7. <a href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture011a.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture011a.jpg">http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii30 ... re011a.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

[hobbes1]

PS: if this works ok, then I have more queries! lol

[dave r]

Hi there, I am presuming these are all Red Sea specimens? I will give it my best shot!
#1 Bulla ampulla, Ampoule Bubble Shell
#2 Oliva bulbosa, Bulbous Olive
#3 Callista species, possibly C. multiradiata
#4 Paphia textile, Textile Venus
#5 Possibly a Circe species?
#6 Murex species, probably M.forskoehlii
#7 Looks like Polynices didyma, the Bladder Moon Snail
Just a word on photography to make identification easier, if you photograph both 'sides' of the shells (dorsal and apertural) it can make identification much easier as the aperture often holds the diagnostic features. Likewise the clams, sometimes the 'inside' of the shell can define which species it is. A lot of the bivalves are pretty much indistinguishable from the outside, you can't even get the family with out looking at the hinge teeth etc.
That is a nice selection of shells you have there, all in pristine condition. If you have any of those Olive shells or Murex to spare I would gladly swap them for something.
Cheers,
Dave

[hobbes1]

cheers Dave - that's great! well, I don't know about them being Red Sea as such, as our coastline is Indian Ocean side. Makes a change from the UK shells which I used to see as a child! lol

that's great re the info - will investigate further. I only took some quick photos today to see if I could / could post them etc - so I will do both sides next time. Photography is my main hobby as it is, so I had fun the other day photographing a few in ''arty'' patterns

if you fancy taking a look, the link is

<a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=242227&id=557220564&l=81b37d4e6a" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=242227&id=557220564&l=81b37d4e6a">http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 ... 81b37d4e6a</a><!-- m --></a>


the shells do seem to be in good condition generally - will check which ones the Olive and Murex are and see if I have spare for you; that would be nice

[hobbes1]

Hi Dave, have just checked and have lots of Olive ones spare for sure!!

it's getting a bit late here so am off to bed, but will update with a few more tomorrow! and figure out how to get some to you

[hobbes1]

oh bother, I was dozing off and realised I hadn't uploaded this photo

8. <a href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture002.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture002.jpg">http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii30 ... ure002.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

cheers

[dave r]

Picture # 8 is a Tellin shell but I don't know the species.
I had a look on your Facebook album, nice photography and nice shells. You would appear to have at least 2 species of Olive shell there. I am a photographer myself but mainly specialise in individual specimen pictures of shells and Silkmoths for websites. I don't have a phoytobucket account or anything but if you send me a P.M. I will give you my email address and send you some images.
BTW I live in the U.K.!
Cheers,
Dave

[paul monfils]

#8 appears to be Tellina foliacea, Foliate Tellin.  The name refers to leaves, as in foliage.  Apparently the flat shiny shell reminded the author of some kind of leaves.  Can't recall ever seeing a plant this color.  But, then I am not a botanist!  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2009-04-08 23:40:11 --</span>

[hobbes1]

Hi Dave - you have a PM (I hope)

cheers Paul - yes not sure how many orange leaved plants exist...

more shells to come shortly...

[hobbes1]

cheers Dave; you have mail

ok, just thought I would continue to add some shells for ID on here, so I can refer back to all the info in one place

have been trying hard to identify at least the family and think have managed that, but seem to be facing lots and lots and lots of options within that, so any help would be much appreciated

I have come a long way in just the 2 days since first posting on here; good thing it is the school hols!

9. <a href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture025.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture025.jpg">http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii30 ... ure025.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

10. <a href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture027.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture027.jpg">http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii30 ... ure027.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

11. <a href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture029.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture029.jpg">http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii30 ... ure029.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

12. <a href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture031.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture031.jpg">http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii30 ... ure031.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

13. <a href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture042.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture042.jpg">http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii30 ... ure042.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

14. <a href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture045.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/wrangler93/Picture045.jpg">http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii30 ... ure045.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>


not entirely sure whether the cowries shown are indeed different or not!!

had a lovely day out today and found a whole new range of shells, just 20 mins up the coast in a different direction to where we normally go - was exciting! lol