Volute identification help

[Lou4572]

Hi I am new to this site. I have a seashell in my volutidae collection (unfortunately with no collection data) that I just can't identify. Does anyone have any ideas? It is 86mm. Anything that will help will be most appreciated!

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a503...435de9.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a503...2008fe.jpg

Many thanks, Louise

[wolfi]

Hi,
should be a rather immature specimen of Melo melo (Lightfoot, 1786), I suppose. Shell hight gets up to about 230 mm.
Kind regards: wolf

[Lou4572]

Hi and thanks for your reply. It has a rather large protoconch, do you think this, as well as the pattern would be usual for a juvenile melo? Cheers, Louise

[dave r]

Hi Loise, the large protoconch is diagnostic for a juvenile and it is a Melo melo.

[Lou4572]

That's great, I can see the similarity now actually. Thank you for your help!