{"title":"Personidae","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Personidae family — commonly known as distorted whelks — are among the most visually striking shells in the collector's world. Characterized by their heavily latticed, asymmetrical whorls and constricted apertures, these rare deep-water specimens are prized for their sculptural beauty and rarity. Tortugas Shell Collection offers museum-quality \u003cem\u003eDistorsio\u003c\/em\u003e specimens sourced from the world's most productive shell-bearing waters.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"distorsio-clathrata-lamarck-1816-44-5-mm-dry-tortugas-tsc","title":"Distorsio clathrata (Lamarck, 1816) – 44.5 mm – Dry Tortugas – TSC","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA beautiful specimen of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistorsio clathrata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a distinctive deep-water member of the Personidae characterized by its strongly sculptured shell, inflated body whorl, and pronounced lattice-like ornamentation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen exhibits attractive cream to pale golden coloration with well-developed spiral cords and nodulose sculpture throughout. The shell displays excellent form with a strong body whorl, well-defined aperture, and impressive overall sculpture. A small chip is present on the protoconch and has been reflected in the condition assessment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecimen Data\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFamily:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Personidae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecies:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistorsio clathrata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (Lamarck, 1816)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Dry Tortugas, Florida\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMethod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Baited lobster trap (160–180 ft)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate Collected:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e December 2025\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Randy Rivera – F\/V AVA PILAR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeasures:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 44.5 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTSC #:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 0347PER-TSC\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery good overall condition with strong sculpture, attractive natural coloration, and a well-preserved aperture. The shell retains excellent detail throughout the body whorl and spiral cords.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere is a small chip present on the protoconch. Aside from this minor flaw, the specimen displays very nicely and remains an attractive collector example of this species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully, as they are part of the description and condition assessment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePersonally collected from deep-water lobster traps in the Dry Tortugas while commercial fishing aboard the F\/V AVA PILAR. Specimens of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistorsio clathrata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e are infrequently encountered and are highly prized for their unusual form, heavy sculpture, and distinctive appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShipping\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYour specimen will be carefully packed and shipped with tracking to ensure safe arrival.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTortugas Shell Collection – Personally collected specimens from the Dry Tortugas and Gulf of Mexico.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tortugas Shell Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48756163641588,"sku":"347","price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/8193\/3044\/files\/IMG-5995.png?v=1782059754"},{"product_id":"distorsio-clathrata-lamarck-1816-36-1-mm-dry-tortugas-tsc","title":"Distorsio clathrata (Lamarck, 1816) – 36.1 mm – Dry Tortugas – TSC","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA beautiful specimen of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistorsio clathrata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a distinctive member of the Personidae known for its heavily sculptured shell, inflated body whorl, and striking lattice-like ornamentation. This species is highly sought after by collectors for its unusual architecture and attractive coloration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen displays excellent cream to pale yellow coloration with strong axial and spiral sculpture throughout. The shell exhibits crisp detail, a well-developed aperture, and an attractive overall presentation. A small chip is present on the protoconch and has been considered in the condition assessment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecimen Data\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFamily:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Personidae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecies:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistorsio clathrata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (Lamarck, 1816)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Dry Tortugas, Florida\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMethod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Baited lobster trap (180 ft)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate Collected:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e December 2025\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Randy Rivera – F\/V AVA PILAR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeasures:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 36.1 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTSC #:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 0354PER-TSC\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery good overall condition with strong sculpture, attractive coloration, and excellent detail throughout the shell. The aperture, siphonal canal, and sculptural elements remain well preserved, making this a very appealing collector specimen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA small chip is present on the protoconch. Aside from this minor flaw, the specimen displays beautifully and retains excellent eye appeal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully, as they are part of the description and condition assessment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePersonally collected from deep-water lobster traps in the Dry Tortugas while commercial fishing aboard the F\/V AVA PILAR. Specimens of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistorsio clathrata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e are not commonly encountered and are prized for their distinctive form and heavily sculptured appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShipping\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYour specimen will be carefully packed and shipped with tracking to ensure safe arrival.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTortugas Shell Collection – Personally collected specimens from the Dry Tortugas and Gulf of Mexico.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tortugas Shell Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48756192575732,"sku":"354","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/8193\/3044\/files\/IMG-5997.png?v=1782062686"},{"product_id":"distorsio-clathrata-lamarck-1816-33-5-mm-dry-tortugas-tsc","title":"Distorsio clathrata (Lamarck, 1816) – 33.5 mm – Dry Tortugas – TSC","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA beautiful specimen of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistorsio clathrata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a distinctive member of the Personidae known for its heavily sculptured shell, inflated body whorl, and striking lattice-like ornamentation. This species is highly desirable among collectors due to its unusual architecture and attractive coloration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen displays rich cream and golden-yellow coloration with strong axial and spiral sculpture throughout. The shell exhibits crisp detail, a well-developed aperture, and excellent overall eye appeal. A small chip is present on the protoconch and has been considered in the condition assessment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecimen Data\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFamily:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Personidae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecies:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistorsio clathrata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (Lamarck, 1816)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Dry Tortugas, Florida\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMethod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Baited lobster trap (180 ft)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate Collected:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e October 2025\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Randy Rivera – F\/V AVA PILAR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeasures:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 33.5 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTSC #:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 0350PER-TSC\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery good overall condition with strong sculpture, attractive coloration, and excellent detail throughout the shell. The aperture, siphonal canal, and sculptural elements remain well preserved, making this an attractive collector specimen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA small chip is present on the protoconch. Aside from this minor flaw, the specimen retains excellent display quality and strong visual appeal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully, as they are part of the description and condition assessment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePersonally collected from deep-water lobster traps in the Dry Tortugas while commercial fishing aboard the F\/V AVA PILAR. Specimens of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistorsio clathrata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e are not commonly encountered and are prized for their distinctive form and heavily sculptured appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShipping\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYour specimen will be carefully packed and shipped with tracking to ensure safe arrival.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTortugas Shell Collection – Personally collected specimens from the Dry Tortugas and Gulf of Mexico.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tortugas Shell Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48756358643956,"sku":"350","price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/8193\/3044\/files\/IMG-6001.png?v=1782065047"},{"product_id":"distorsio-clathrata-lamarck-1816-34-5-mm-dry-tortugas-tsc","title":"Distorsio clathrata (Lamarck, 1816) – 34.5 mm – Dry Tortugas – TSC","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA beautiful specimen of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistorsio clathrata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a distinctive member of the Personidae known for its heavily sculptured shell, inflated body whorl, and striking lattice-like ornamentation. This species is highly sought after by collectors due to its unusual architecture and attractive coloration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen displays rich cream and golden-yellow coloration with strong axial and spiral sculpture throughout. The shell exhibits crisp detail, a well-developed aperture, and excellent overall eye appeal. A small chip is present on the protoconch and has been considered in the condition assessment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecimen Data\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFamily:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Personidae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecies:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistorsio clathrata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (Lamarck, 1816)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Dry Tortugas, Florida\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMethod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Baited lobster trap (160–180 ft)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate Collected:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e December 2025\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Randy Rivera – F\/V AVA PILAR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeasures:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 34.5 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTSC #:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 0352PER-TSC\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery good overall condition with strong sculpture, attractive cream and yellow coloration, and excellent detail throughout the shell. The aperture, siphonal canal, and sculptural elements remain well preserved, making this an attractive collector specimen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA small chip is present on the protoconch. Aside from this minor flaw, the specimen retains excellent display quality and strong visual appeal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully, as they are part of the description and condition assessment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePersonally collected from deep-water lobster traps in the Dry Tortugas while commercial fishing aboard the F\/V AVA PILAR. Specimens of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistorsio clathrata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e are not commonly encountered and are prized for their distinctive form and heavily sculptured appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShipping\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYour specimen will be carefully packed and shipped with tracking to ensure safe arrival.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTortugas Shell Collection – Personally collected specimens from the Dry Tortugas and Gulf of Mexico.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tortugas Shell Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48756375060724,"sku":"352","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/8193\/3044\/files\/IMG-6004.png?v=1782065336"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/8193\/3044\/collections\/186A1F89-7D74-49F1-9826-0C7BF062BEB4.png?v=1782067181","url":"https:\/\/www.tortugasshellcollection.com\/collections\/personidae.oembed","provider":"Tortugas Shell Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}