Need help identifying 4 shells

[paul monfils]

Hello,

The first one appears to be a Scallop shell, also known as a Pecten, but it has been altered.  A fresh scallop shell has two little tabs that stick out near the pointed end of the shell.  On your shell these have been eroded or broken off. There are many kinds of scallop shells.  This one looks like it may be the common Calico Scallop from Florida and the Caribbean area.  Here's a picture of that species:

<a href="http://www.schnr-specimen-shells.com/4066.JPG" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.schnr-specimen-shells.com/4066.JPG">http://www.schnr-specimen-shells.com/4066.JPG</a><!-- m --></a>

The three shells shown in the next two pictures are all variations of the same species, Strombus urceus, the Little Bear Conch, a very common and quite variable species found all over the western Indo-Pacific region.

The last shell has been artificially polished, which always makes identification more difficult.  I believe it is a species of Glycymeris, a group of clams known as "Bittersweet Clams", but I can't say which species or where it is from with any degree of certainly, due to the polishing.  If you would like some shells for your son's project, I'll be glad to send you some.  Just email me and tell me a little about the project, and I'll send you some nice shells appropriate to what the project is about.

<!-- e --><a href="mailtoaulCyp@cox.net">PaulCyp@cox.net</a><!-- e -->

.  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2010-03-05 07:11:00 --</span>