{"product_id":"phyllonotus-whymani-pulley-ridge-dry-tortugas-29-4-mm-rare-deepwater-muricid","title":"Phyllonotus whymani – Pulley Ridge, Dry Tortugas – 29.4 mm – Rare Deepwater Muricid","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptionally rare and beautifully preserved \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePhyllonotus whymani\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e collected by me personally from the deepwater Pulley Ridge region of the Dry Tortugas aboard the F\/V \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAVA PILAR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This species, described by Petuch \u0026amp; Sargent in 2011, is one of the more distinctive modern western Atlantic muricids, known for its inflated shell form, recurved varices, and delicately frilled aperture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen displays the classic characteristics that make \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eP. whymani\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e so desirable among advanced muricid collectors. The shell is compact yet strongly sculptured, with beautifully developed recurved varices and a proportionally low spire. Fine spiral sculpture and frosted surface texture give the shell outstanding visual depth under magnification. The coloration is especially attractive, showing soft pink-orange to orange-white tones with darker orange banding and a clean pale aperture. The frilled peristome and siphonal canal remain remarkably intact for a species collected in commercial lobster operations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original species description notes the shell’s inflated profile, rounded shoulder, recurved posterior varices, and roughened spiral sculpture produced by elongated spiral cords and microscopic threading. This specimen exhibits those traits exceptionally well and represents a superb example of the species from the famed Pulley Ridge fauna.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePersonally collected during baited lobster trapping operations in 240–300 feet off the Dry Tortugas, Florida. Deepwater muricids from this region are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain in premium condition, particularly freshly collected specimens with strong sculpture and intact apertural frilling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecimen Data\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecies: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePhyllonotus whymani\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Petuch \u0026amp; Sargent, 2011\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFamily: Muricidae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocation: Pulley Ridge, Dry Tortugas, Florida\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDepth: 240–300 ft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMethod: Baited lobster trap\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate Collected: February 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector: Randy Rivera – F\/V \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAVA PILAR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSize: 29.4 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExceptional F++ specimen with outstanding preservation for the species. Varices, frilled lip structures, and siphonal canal remain unusually well preserved. Minor imperfections typical of trap-collected deepwater specimens may be present under magnification, but overall this is a very high-end example of a genuinely rare species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarefully packed and shipped with full collection data.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the Tortugas Shell Collection — specializing in rare and scientifically important deepwater gastropods from the Dry Tortugas and Pulley Ridge region.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tortugas Shell Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48213101510900,"sku":"581","price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/8193\/3044\/files\/B3067DFB-CF0C-4A0F-9BFD-3E687F7CC432.jpg?v=1778461255","url":"https:\/\/www.tortugasshellcollection.com\/products\/phyllonotus-whymani-pulley-ridge-dry-tortugas-29-4-mm-rare-deepwater-muricid","provider":"Tortugas Shell Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}