{"product_id":"scaphella-mercedesae-108-7-mm-tsc-0512vol-tsc","title":"Scaphella mercedesae – 108.7 mm – TSC #0512VOL-TSC","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA truly outstanding \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScaphella mercedesae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScaphella mercedesae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was described by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePetuch \u0026amp; Berschauer in 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and named in honor of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emy mother, Mercedes Hernandez\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, giving this species special personal significance to me. This specimen was personally collected during \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elegal commercial lobster operations aboard the F\/V AVA PILAR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, where baited lobster traps occasionally produce these remarkable deep-water treasures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\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 Volutidae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecies:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScaphella mercedesae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Petuch \u0026amp; Berschauer, 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Tortuga Terrace, Dry Tortugas, Florida\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMethod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Collected during legal commercial lobster operations using baited lobster traps (260–300 ft.)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate Collected:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e February 2026\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 108.7 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTSC #:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 0512VOL-TSC\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere is a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003esmall natural imperfection and minor chip near the upper spire\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the description and condition assessment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYour specimen will be carefully packed and shipped securely with tracking to ensure safe arrival.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThank you for supporting \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTortugas Shell Collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tortugas Shell Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48694494265588,"sku":"512","price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/8193\/3044\/files\/D5C0A4D6-F145-49F2-B1D0-CD8A4CC28A1B.png?v=1781716690","url":"https:\/\/www.tortugasshellcollection.com\/products\/scaphella-mercedesae-108-7-mm-tsc-0512vol-tsc","provider":"Tortugas Shell Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}