A truly outstanding Scaphella mercedesae, displaying the bold checkerboard pattern, brilliant orange protoconch, and elegant proportions that have made this recently described species one of the premier deep-water volutes from the Dry Tortugas. This specimen features exceptionally crisp markings against a creamy white background and a beautifully polished appearance, making it an excellent addition to any advanced collection.
Scaphella mercedesae was described by Petuch & Berschauer in 2026 and named in honor of my mother, Mercedes Hernandez, giving this species special personal significance to me. This specimen was personally collected during legal commercial lobster operations aboard the F/V AVA PILAR, where baited lobster traps occasionally produce these remarkable deep-water treasures.
Specimen Data
Family: Volutidae
Species: Scaphella mercedesae
Author: Petuch & Berschauer, 2026
Location: Tortuga Terrace, Dry Tortugas, Florida
Method: Collected during legal commercial lobster operations using baited lobster traps (260–300 ft.)
Date Collected: February 2026
Collector: Randy Rivera, F/V AVA PILAR
Measures: 108.7 mm
TSC #: 0512VOL-TSC
Condition
An exceptional collector specimen with outstanding gloss, vivid coloration, and sharply defined spotting. The orange protoconch is particularly attractive, and the shell retains excellent natural form and symmetry.
There is a small natural imperfection and minor chip near the upper spire, visible in the photographs, along with very light collection wear consistent with legal trap collection. These minor flaws do little to detract from the specimen’s overall beauty and display quality.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the description and condition assessment.
Your specimen will be carefully packed and shipped securely with tracking to ensure safe arrival.
Thank you for supporting Tortugas Shell Collection, where every specimen tells the story of the remarkable waters of the Dry Tortugas and the tradition of responsibly collecting exceptional shells during legal commercial lobster operations.