Seashells - Gastropods

Scotch Bonnet, Phalium granulatum, underside. 8 cm long. Photograph © James Prineas, 2003

Still quite common on Kythera is the sturdy Knobbed Helmet Shell, Galeodea echinophora, 5 cm long. P...

The hypnotic, spiraling point of a Giant Tun Shell, Tonna galea. Photograph © James Prineas, 2003

The Giant Tun, Tonna galea, lying on its side to show its wide, gaping aperture. Photograph © James...

Giant Tun, Tonna galea. Happily, these magnificent giant snails are still quite common around Kyther...

Three little Tun Shells, Tonna galea. These sweet shells grow into giants up to 25 cm long. The youn...

Three beautiful Necklace Shells, Natica hebraea, looking pretty enough to wear, are very common on K...

A Josephine Shell Neverita josephina. Frequently found on Kythera, though less common than its close...

The Moon Snails, which include Moon, Josephine, and Necklace Shells, have semi-circular, spiralled d...

Moon Shell, Polynices guillemini, a sweet little shell with a bullseye point. 1.2 cm long. Photograp...

The underside of a Necklace Shell, Natica hebraea, showing the semi-circular opening for the opercul...

The Triton Shell, Charonia tritonis, lives in deep water where it frequently becomes encrusted with...

Detail of the opening of a Triton Shell, Charonia tritonis, showing the dark, glossy, notched edges....

The dark operculum of a Triton Shell, Charonia tritonis, has an intricate pattern of whorls and swir...

On the underside of a Triton operculum are concentric rings reminiscent of a slice of tree trunk. 6...

A collection of Slipper Limpets, Crepidula unguiformis. The shells in this group are very thin, whit...

The Pelican’s Foot Shell, Aporrhais pes-pelecani, is a favorite with children because of its funny n...

Violet Sea Snails, Janthina communis. These snails can grow to 2.5 cm, but the specimens pictured ar...

Though very small and easy to overlook, the Wentletrap, Epitonium lamellosum, is among the most beau...

The Giant Worm Shell, Vermetus gigas, is an irregularly shaped tube with just a hint of the spiral c...