Neptunea antiqua

David Fenwick Snr Does anyone recognise the whelk in the images below, not a lot to go on I know but might be enough there. I was poking around Newlyn Harbour again today for more shells. Best find was a pair of valves of a 90mm Arctica islandica. 01.04.13. SW 46350 28580.

David Fenwick Snr Whelk shell approx. 110mm in length, 35mm max. width. Just to confirm, the pair of Arctica valves was a dead pair.

David Fenwick Snr Is Neptunea antiqua a possibility?

Becky Hitchin I only really know Kent Neptunea, but they don't have spiral-type banding like yours does

David Fenwick Snr What I'm going by is Neptunea antiqua on the following site, looks very similar indeed. http://www.idscaro.net/sci/01_coll/plates/gastro/pl_buccinidae_1.htm

Dave Rolfe I can't think of anything else it could be from there David, unless it is a worked-out fossil species? Here is one of mine for comparison, it does bear a similarity; http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=219972058022200&set=a.216455205040552.60815.100000282230847&type=3&theater

Dave Rolfe It is a shame yours is so worn, makes identification that little bit more 'interesting' ;)

David Fenwick Snr Yes pity if wasn't whole and fresh like other shells I've found from the same small area, thought it worth collecting nether the less. Because of the more southern location found I guess the best thing to do is send it away for verification. Question is to who. There are a number of old 19th century Cornish records from Falmouth and Helford, by Cocks, and from trawls, would seem to be a similar record if verified. I think what may be happening is that low numbers of discards, chielfly Glycymeris, are being passed on for use as bait for pots or lines in one part of the harbour, the probable reason why the Neptunea has been found so damaged.

Dave Rolfe You could try the Conchological Society, they may have more insight. I know the aperture is totalled, but that siphonal canal looks a bit long to me. More like on a Colus.

David Fenwick Snr Other thing to rule out is a foreign species, finding a Giant clam at Marazion was a bit of a surprise. lol

Simon Taylor Looks like Neptunea antiqua to me David. I know the Newlyn trawlers bring them up from time to time.

David Fenwick Snr Thanks Simon, just realised tonight that I have a 160mm specimen of N. antiqua. It was purchased from a car boot sale in Camborne a couple years ago, it has been on the edge of the bath as an ornament ever since. Always thought it might be a UK shell given the worm deposits on it. Very likely another Cornish N. antiqua, much better condition though.