Shell info please

[fergyjohn]

G,day all,
Was diving Julian Rocks a couple of weeks ago and took this photo of what I now believe to be a Cowrie shell, could any of you shell experts advise me on the black flesh on the outside of the shell, I have only ever seen the shell itself.

thanks
Fergy (Downunder)

Cowrie Shell

 

[SubMariner]

Fergy, I'm not an expert in your local flora & fauna, so I don't know that particular cowrie. However, some molluscs have a mantle that extends over the shell, which is what you are probably talking about with this particular animal.

One example I can think of in the Caribbean is the Flamingo Tongue.

BTW, excellent photo! Details on equipment, etc., please!

Take care, eh?!

~SubMariner~

 

[Walter]

Cowries also cover their shells with their mantles.

 

[fergyjohn]

Hi Submariner,

The Cowrie shell was taken with my trusty MX-10 & Macro lens, they are a good camera for close up stuff.
I used Fuji superia 100 asa film.

regards
Fergy

 

[sillago]

Hi Fergy
That is a egg cowrie, Ovula ovum, and if you actually touched it (not that I am saying you should or shouldn't ) You'll find that the mantle actually starts from the ventral side and encloses the shell along the dorsal side, which is why you sometimes see a white line along the top of the shell which is the actual shell beneath the mantle.
I think you find the guys pretty much all along the southeast to northeast of Australia. I've seen heaps of them usually clustering togther in groups of 4-5 among soft corals