A beautiful specimen of Scaphella mercedesae, a recently described volute species from the deep waters of the Dry Tortugas region.

This species was named in honor of my mother, Mercedes, making it a particularly meaningful shell to offer. Volutes of the genus Scaphella are highly prized by collectors, and this species has quickly gained attention since its formal description.

This specimen displays the elegant elongated shape typical of the genus along with a striking cream background covered in rich chestnut-brown square spotting. The interior aperture shows the characteristic patterning along the lip that makes these volutes especially attractive display shells.

This shell was personally collected by me while commercial lobster fishing aboard my vessel, F/V AVA PILAR, providing accurate locality and depth data valued by serious collectors.

SPECIMEN DATA

Family: Volutidae

Species: Scaphella mercedesae

Authority: Petuch & Berschauer, 2026

Size: 118.9 mm

Location: Tortuga Terrace, Dry Tortugas, Florida

Depth: 200–240 ft

Method: Baited lobster trap

Date Collected: January 2026

Collector: Randy Rivera – F/V AVA PILAR

Collection Code: TSC #0470VOL-TSC

CONDITION

Excellent collector specimen with strong pattern and natural coloration. Minor trap wear may be present as typical with deep-water trap-collected shells. Please review photographs carefully as they form part of the description.

SAFE SHIPPING

Shell will be securely wrapped and carefully packed to ensure safe arrival. Tracking always provided.

TORTUGAS SHELL COLLECTION NOTE

All shells offered are personally collected during commercial fishing operations in the Dry Tortugas and Tortuga Terrace region, one of Florida’s most productive deep-water shell habitats. Accurate depth data and collector provenance make these shells especially desirable to collectors.