{"product_id":"scaphella-mercedesae-petuch-berschauer-2026-105-7-mm","title":"Scaphella mercedesae Petuch \u0026 Berschauer, 2026 – 105.7 mm","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNamed in honor of my mother, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMercedes Rojas Hernandez\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScaphella mercedesae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a recently described species endemic to the Tortuga Terrace of the Dry Tortugas. This specimen was personally collected by me in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFebruary 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e while commercial lobster fishing aboard my vessel, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eF\/V AVA PILAR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, using a baited lobster trap set in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e260–300 feet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e of water.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginally described by Dr. Edward Petuch and Dr. David Berschauer in 2026, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScaphella mercedesae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is characterized by its smooth, highly polished shell averaging about 110 mm in length. The shell is proportionally narrow and elongated with a rounded, gently sloping shoulder, elevated protracted spire, and straight sides. The glossy white base is decorated with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e11–13 rows of evenly spaced dark brown rounded rectangles arranged in a striking checkered pattern\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with elongated rectangular markings along the shoulder. The aperture is uniformly narrow with a pale yellow-orange interior, while the columella bears four large, evenly spaced pale orange plaits. The protoconch is large, bulbous, and dark orange-brown, and the first postnuclear whorl is sculptured with fine longitudinal ribs and spiral cords.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen exhibits excellent gloss, attractive coloration, and bold checkered markings, making it a beautiful representative of this recently described species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecimen Data\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eFamily:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Volutidae\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eSpecies:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScaphella mercedesae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Petuch \u0026amp; Berschauer, 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eLocation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Tortuga Terrace, Dry Tortugas, Florida\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eMethod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Baited lobster trap, 260–300 ft\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDate Collected:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e February 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eCollector:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Randy Rivera – F\/V AVA PILAR\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eMeasures:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 105.7 mm (4.16”)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eTSC #:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e #0518VOL-TSC\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA very attractive collector specimen with excellent gloss and strong, well-defined checkered patterning. The shell has \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elight growth marks on the body whorl and spire\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which are reflected in the price, but remains structurally sound with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003esharp, intact columellar plaits\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and a clean aperture. Overall, it displays beautifully and would make an excellent addition to any collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully, as they are considered part of the description and accurately represent the specimen you will receive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYour specimen will be carefully packed and shipped with tracking and includes its original Tortugas Shell Collection data label.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThank you for supporting Tortugas Shell Collection!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tortugas Shell Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48778861052148,"sku":"518","price":220.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/8193\/3044\/files\/IMG-6385.png?v=1782408008","url":"https:\/\/www.tortugasshellcollection.com\/products\/scaphella-mercedesae-petuch-berschauer-2026-105-7-mm","provider":"Tortugas Shell Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}