Mediterranean Live Shells To Identify

[paul monfils]

Hi David,

The first one, the angle of view isn't ideal, but I believe it is Buccinulum corneum (Linne, 1758).

The second one is a Calliostoma. I believe it is Calliostoma laugieri (Payraudeau, 1826). But I can't rule out Calliostoma gualterianum (Philippi, 1848)

Cheers.

[david touitou]

Hello Paul !

Thanks for your help ! I'am back to France since last year and now I have to learn a lot about local species...   <img src="images/smiley/up.gif" alt="" border="0" />

Warm regards,
DAVID

[david touitou]

HEllo,

Last dive bran us 2 nice photos of 2 local species.
Can someone help me with these ?
- Habitat : under rock
- Deaph : 20m
- Locality : France, Hyeres

<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/1222169" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/1222169">http://www.badongo.com/pic/1222169</a><!-- m --></a>

<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/1222178" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/1222178">http://www.badongo.com/pic/1222178</a><!-- m --></a>

Thanks
DAVID

[david touitou]

Hello Paul,

Here is 2 new pictures of the first one, can you confirm the identification ?

<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/1242350" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/1242350">http://www.badongo.com/pic/1242350</a><!-- m --></a>

<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/1242363" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/1242363">http://www.badongo.com/pic/1242363</a><!-- m --></a>

It seems different to the images I found with google images. Concerning the <i>Calliostoma</i>, don't you think it's
closer to <i>Calliostoma conulum</i> ? I see them regulary and
they are always orange with no drawing at all.

<img src="http://columbella.free.fr/photos/callcon.jpg" alt="http://columbella.free.fr/photos/callcon.jpg" style="border:0" />

Warm Regards

DAVID  <span class="petit">--Last edited by David Touitou on 2007-08-19 15:27:49 --</span>

[paul monfils]

Hi David,

The Calliostoma could be C. conulum. I think of C. conulum as a wider shell, which is why I guessed C. laugieri, which is relatively narrower, but otherwise similar. You didn't mention the size of the shell. C. conulum is a considerably larger species. If your shell is much more than 1/2 inch (12 mm) in height, it probably is C. conulum.

I'm pretty sure on the Buccinulum. There isn't anything else in the Mediterranean with this shape, that I am aware of.

Paul  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2007-08-20 01:15:39 --</span>

[david touitou]

Hello Paul,

Ok, great for <i>Buccinulum corneum </i>  <img src="images/smiley/up.gif" alt="" border="0" />
The size of the <i>Calliostom</i>a sp. is bigger than
12mm. The <i>Buccinulum corneum </i> was about 30mm and
the <i>Calliostom</i>a sp. roughly same.

Sincerely,
DAVID