Shell or not a shell ???

[paul monfils]

This is an operculum, a sort of "door" that a snail uses to seal the aperture of its shell when it draws inside for protection.  Opercula are of two general types - horny ones made of a semi-flexible brown material, and shelly opercula, made of the same material as the shell itself. This is a shelly operculum from a turban (Turbo) shell.  This operculum looks like it might have come from Turbo torquatus. Did you find it in Australia?

<a href="http://www.femorale.com.br/shellphotos/detail.asp?species=Turbo+torquatus+Gmelin%2C+1791" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.femorale.com.br/shellphotos/detail.asp?species=Turbo+torquatus+Gmelin%2C+1791">http://www.femorale.com.br/shellphotos/ ... in%2C+1791</a><!-- m --></a>  

<a href="http://bigai.world.coocan.jp/pic_book/data23/r002202.html" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://bigai.world.coocan.jp/pic_book/data23/r002202.html">http://bigai.world.coocan.jp/pic_book/d ... 02202.html</a><!-- m --></a>  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2008-04-21 07:22:04 --</span>