QUALITY SELECTION OF TURRITELLA SHELLS
Turritella Shells
Family: Turritellidae (Deep Sea Augers, True Augers) Shells of this family are shaped like long, slender augers or screws and resemble Terebridae shells. However, the similarity ends there. The turritella shell shape is somewhat variable, and shells are thin, rough and not lustrous. The rounded mouth and complete absence of a siphonal canal at the anterior end of the aperture clearly identify turritellas. The shells have in addition: a very tall spire; numerous convex whorls; no umbilical opening; absence of folds on the columnella, and a horny, flexible operculum that is supported by flexible bristles. The operculum can be withdrawn far inside the shell when the animal retreats.
The "worm" shell genus, Vermicularia, is also found in the Turritellidae family. It is similar to Turitellidae shells except that the whorls begin to separate as it grows larger (see the superfamily Cerithioidea), and it can be difficult to distinguish from shells in other families of the superfamily. Moreover, any of the worm shells can be superficially mistaken for similar shells formed by certain annelid worms --a wholly unrelated phylum.
These filter feeding molluscs burrow in sandy bottoms and feed on dust-like particles of detritus falling to the sea floor. Quite unlike the terebra mollusc, the turritella lacks the venomous dart mechanism needed for an actively carnivorous life style Many turritellas make use of their gills, to filter out fine food particles much as clams do.
Brown Turritella
Most of the tips are blunted.
V1-9
One Brown Turretella Auger shell 7/8 to 3 inches ...... .08
Brown Turritella Shells
Most of the tips are blunted.
B1-8One Brown Turritella Auger shell 2 6/8 to 3 3/8 inches ...... .29
Purple Turritella
Most of the tips are blunted
H1-8One Purple Turritella Auger shell 1 6/8 to 3 inches...... .19
Most of the tips are blunted
H2-8One Purple Turritella Auger Shell 5/8 to 1 2/8 inches...... .OUT OF STOCK
Tan Turritella
Most of the tips are blunted
X1-9 One Tan Turritella Shell 7/8 to 2 inches ..... .03
Most of the tips are blunted
X2-9
One Tan Turritella shell 2 to 2 5/8 inches ...... .09
Terebra Turritella shell
Most of the tips are blunted
C1-10
One Terebra Turritella shell 3 to 4 inches...… .17
Most tips are blunted
C2-10
One Terebra Turritella shell 4 to 5 inches ..... OUT OF STOCK
C3-10
One Terebra Turritella shell 5 to 6 inches .... OUT OF STOCK
White Turritella shell
Most tips are blunted
WT1-8
One White Turritella shell 1 6/8 inches or more...... OUT OF STOCK