Seashells - Gastropods

The Rock Cerith, Cerithium rupestris, is also called the Rough Cerith. Conical and heavily whorled w...

Like their big cousins, the Little Worm Shells, Vermetus triqueter, are irregularly shaped, twisting...

Mediterranean Cone Shells, Conus mediterraneus, are found around Kythera quite frequently, in a wide...

The Banded Murex, Hexaplex trunculus, is extremely common on Kythera. The banded pattern is clearly...

The very common Banded Murex, Hexaplex trunculus, is frequently encrusted with white calcerous mater...

Although Kythera's ancient dye industry was based on the Spiny Murex (see below), its close relative...

The Bubble Shell, Bulla striata, lives in sand and mud among the weeds close to shore. 2 cm long. Ph...

Most univalves (single-shelled snails) have a little ‘door’ called an operculum, made of a horny sub...

The Spiny Murex, Murex brandaris, is also known as the Dye Murex, because its gland secretes a purpl...

This rear view of a Spiny Murex, Murex brandaris, shows the fine, long spines on the outer shell. 7....

Two thick, sturdy Whelks, Euthria corneum, measuring 4.5 and 5.5 cm long. Photograph © James Prineas...

The Dog Whelk, Sphaeronassa mutabilis is fairly common on Kythera. 2 cm long. Photograph © James Pri...

The lovely little Rustic Dove Shell, Columbella rustica, can be found on many of the beaches around...

Two Striated Tritons, Pisana striata, measuring around 2 cm each. Photograph © James Prineas, 2003