{"product_id":"scaphella-mercedesae-tortuga-terrace-fl-115-3-mm-0250vol-tsc","title":"Scaphella mercedesae – Tortuga Terrace, FL – 115.3 mm – #0250VOL-TSC","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebeautiful specimen of Scaphella mercedesae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a recently described deepwater volute collected by me from the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTortuga Terrace system off the Dry Tortugas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—one of the most important modern discovery zones in U.S. waters.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen displays a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eclean, balanced pattern of rich chestnut-brown block markings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e over a smooth ivory base. The pattern is evenly distributed with strong contrast, giving it a crisp, highly collectible look.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe shell has a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003esleek, elongated profile with a well-formed spire and smooth body whorl\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, showing excellent natural gloss. The aperture is clean with a soft cream tone, adding to its display appeal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e115.3 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this is a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003esolid, well-sized example of a species that is still new to science\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, making it especially desirable for collectors focused on recently described taxa and documented deepwater material.\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: Volutidae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecies: Scaphella mercedesae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor: Petuch \u0026amp; Berschauer, 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocation: Tortuga Terrace, Dry Tortugas, FL\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMethod: Baited lobster trap, 260–300 ft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate: October 2025\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: 115.3 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTSC Registration: #0250VOL-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\u003eExcellent condition with strong natural gloss.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinor wear consistent with deepwater trap collection. No major damage—very displayable specimen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSHIPPING:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSecure, professional packing to ensure safe arrival.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTORTUGAS SHELL COLLECTION:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll specimens are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003epersonally collected offshore in the Dry Tortugas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—never imported, never sourced from other collections. Each shell is fully documented and part of an active working fishery collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tortugas Shell Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48113689526516,"sku":"250","price":375.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/8193\/3044\/files\/62E1A9D4-9487-40F2-8C1C-981E3EFCA7FC.jpg?v=1777672590","url":"https:\/\/www.tortugasshellcollection.com\/products\/scaphella-mercedesae-tortuga-terrace-fl-115-3-mm-0250vol-tsc","provider":"Tortugas Shell Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}