A Beautiful Deep-Water Species from the Dry Tortugas

I’m pleased to offer this beautiful specimen of Phyllonotus whymani, a distinctive deep-water muricid first described by Petuch and Sargent in 2011. This uncommon species was named in honor of Jeff Whyman.

Interestingly, the type locality for P. whymani is north of Loggerhead Key in the Dry Tortugas, where the original specimens were collected from commercial lobster traps. As a commercial lobster fisherman myself, it’s especially rewarding to continue finding this remarkable species using the very same collection method that brought it to science.

This specimen was personally collected during my commercial lobster fishing operations aboard the F/V AVA PILAR. It exhibits the characteristic rounded, inflated body whorl, low spire, and intricate frosted sculpture described in the original publication. The shell displays attractive orange and cream coloration with distinct darker orange banding, while the aperture retains a warm orange hue. Compared to its shallow-water relative Phyllonotus pomum, P. whymani is smaller, more delicately sculptured, and possesses a proportionally smaller aperture, making it a highly desirable species for advanced muricid collectors.

Condition

This is an excellent collector-quality specimen with exceptional color, crisp sculpture, and outstanding overall eye appeal. The shell retains the delicate frosted texture characteristic of the species, with beautifully developed varices and strong ornamentation. Minor imperfections consistent with deep-water commercial trap collection may be present but do not detract from the specimen’s beauty.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the description and accurately represent the specimen being offered.

Specimen Data

Family: Muricidae
Species: Phyllonotus whymani Petuch & Sargent, 2011
Location: Dry Tortugas, Florida, USA
Collection Method: Personally collected in baited commercial lobster traps at 180–200 ft aboard the F/V AVA PILAR.
Date Collected: December 2025
Collector: Captain Randy Rivera
Measures: 32.1 mm
TSC #: #0789MUR-TSC

Your specimen will be carefully packaged and shipped securely with tracking to ensure safe arrival.

Thank you for supporting Tortugas Shell Collection. I take great pride in offering personally collected deep-water specimens from the Dry Tortugas and sharing these remarkable discoveries with fellow collectors. Each shell represents a unique piece of Florida Keys natural history and the rich biodiversity of one of North America’s most extraordinary marine environments.