is this a seashell?

[aswitzer88]

I'm unsure as to whether this item is a seashell. It was found on the shore of Loch Fyne, Scotland. Diameter approximately 7cm from memory. It felt like a seashell but it is round. Can anyone please help? I only have these 7 photos.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40017072@N06/sets/72157627189693512/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/40017072@N ... 189693512/</a><!-- m -->

Thank you kindly
Amanda

[paul monfils]

Well, it comes from the sea, and its "sort of" a shell, but not what we usually mean when we speak of "seashells".  Most "seashells" come from a group of invertebrate animals called "mollusks", which includes snails, clams, cockles, mussels, etc.  This animal belongs to a completely different phylum.  It's a sea urchin, a relative of starfishes, in a phylum of animals called "echinoderms", meaning "spiny skinned".

Here is some more information on these animals: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_urchin">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_urchin</a><!-- m -->

[aswitzer88]

Wow what a great source of information, thanks Paul I really appreciate it.

Kind regards,

Amanda