About Seashells
Terminology, anatomy, classification, etc.
Illustrations of Shell Features
Holotypes, new species, museum deposits. A discussion from Conch-L.
Paucispiral vs Planktotrophic Protoconchs
Species, subspecies and forms. How do we measure speciation?
Terminology - Discussion of "Types", and other terms in species names & data slips
Understanding synonyms, INT'L CODE OF ZOOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE
A seashell ex pisce, literally meaning “out of fish.”
When a genetically separate specimen(s) cannot reliably be morphologically distinguished from a known species, the group may be referred to as a "complex," or Cryptic species.
Websites with definitions of morphological features:
Paul Mikkelsen's Glossary of Malacological and Conchological Terms
Advanced glossary of molluscan terms (bivales & univalves)
Bivalves
Univalves
Lira, Lirae, Lirate, Lirations
Posterior twist, angle, ridge or Carina (flexure)
Stria, Striae, Striations, Striate
by J.H. Leal, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Florida, USA.
Denticle, Denticulation, Denticulate
Dextral - coils to the left side
Intervarical node; Intervarical rib
Lira, Lirae, Lirations, Lirate
Parietal Area, Callus, Shield, Lip
Plait, Plica, Plicae, Plicate, Plication
Protoconch to teleoconch Transition
Sinistral - coils to the right side