{"product_id":"scaphella-mercedesae-dry-tortugas-volute-95-2-mm-recently-described","title":"Scaphella mercedesae – Dry Tortugas Volute – 95.2 mm – Recently Described","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA beautiful and newly described \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScaphella mercedesae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Petuch \u0026amp; Berschauer, 2026, personally collected by me from the legendary Tortuga Terrace deep-water fauna off the Dry Tortugas aboard the F\/V AVA PILAR during commercial lobstering operations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species was named in honor of my mother, making every specimen especially meaningful to me and an important part of the Tortugas Shell Collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen displays the elegant elongated form and elevated spire that define \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScaphella mercedesae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, along with a rich orange protoconch and beautifully arranged dark chocolate-brown rectangular markings over a glossy ivory-white base. The patterning on this shell is especially clean and balanced, with strong contrast and exceptional eye appeal throughout the body whorl.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe shell has a sleek polished surface with a narrow aperture and soft pale yellow interior coloration. The anterior fasciole and siphonal area show attractive orange tones that complement the vivid protoconch beautifully. A very refined and classic example of this newly described Dry Tortugas endemic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollected in 260–300 feet using baited lobster traps on the famous Tortuga Terrace \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\u003eFamily: Volutidae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecies: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScaphella mercedesae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Petuch \u0026amp; Berschauer, 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocation: Tortuga Terrace, Dry Tortugas, Florida\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDepth: 260–300 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 AVA PILAR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSize: 95.2 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTSC Catalog #: 00517VOL-TSC\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\u003eF++ specimen with excellent gloss, strong pattern quality, and very attractive coloration. One small natural imperfection\/growth interruption is present near the upper body whorl as shown in photos. Minor handling marks and natural trap-collected imperfections may also be present, which are typical for deep-water lobster trap collected specimens. Overall, an outstanding display specimen with exceptional visual appeal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShipping\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShell will be packed extremely carefully and shipped securely with full protection to ensure safe arrival.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the Tortugas Shell Collection — professionally collected deep-water specimens from the legendary Dry Tortugas grounds.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tortugas Shell Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48214504898804,"sku":"517","price":220.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/8193\/3044\/files\/DA139E56-52DF-4B46-BA46-863AA9AABC11.jpg?v=1778516001","url":"https:\/\/www.tortugasshellcollection.com\/products\/scaphella-mercedesae-dry-tortugas-volute-95-2-mm-recently-described","provider":"Tortugas Shell Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}