help me identify please

[paul monfils]

This is Argonauta nodosa Lightfoot, 1786, the "Nodose Paper Nautilus". This is not actually a "shell" in the usual sense. Argonauta are octopus-like animals that don't have an actual shell, but which form these beautiful and fragile egg cases, or "brood chambers" in which to lay their eggs.  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2007-07-09 07:23:27 --</span>