Green, D. J., R. L. Hill, and Stichting Natuurbehoud Suriname. Seashells of Wia-Wia Beach, Surinam: A Field Guide, 1971.
Pool, Monique. "Braamspunt - Sea Turtle Nesting and Sand Mining." Accessed December 17, 2013. http://www.academia.edu/4927529/Braamspunt - Sea Turtle Nesting and Sand Mining.
Indentify this... Conch and whelks. http://www.reefland.com/2012/07/21/identify-this-conchs-and-whelks/
Aperture : entrance or opening of the shell.
Axial : running from the apex to the base in a straight line that's not spirally.
Apex : tip of the spire in gastropods.
Beak : tip of each valve, usually pointed and near the hinge. It is the first formed part of the valve.
Body Whorl : the last and usually the largest whorl of a gastropod shell.
Callus : a thickening.
Cancellate : a criss-cross pattern of sculpture formed by radiant and concentric lines crossing each other, usually at right angles.
Cardinal teeth : hinge teeth associated with, and usually found under the beaks.
Chondrophore : are triangular shaped pit in the bivalve hinge which houses the internal ligament.
Columella : a pillar or column round with the whorls of a gastropod spiral.
Crenulate : notched, scalloped or wavy.
Ears : wing-like projections or extensions.
Escutcheon : a long, slightly sunken area in the dorsal margin posterior to the beaks. Usually set off from the rest of the shell by a difference in sculpture colour etc.
Equilateral : beaks midway between anterior and posterior ends, the anterior and posterior halves being symmetrical.
Equivalve : both valves similar in size, shape and sculpture.
Foot : a muscular organ used in locomotion and burrowing.
Gape : valves are said to gape when after closure they do not properly meet and leave a space or hole.
Growth Rings : concentric lines caused by cessation in the shell's growth at various times.
Head-foot : in Gastropods the head and foot are fused and are thus referred to as the head-foot.
Hinge : the dorsal region of the shell where the valves are joined together.
Inequilateral : beaks to one side of midline, the anterior and posterior halves thus being asymmetrical.
Inequivalve : valves are of dissimilar size, shape and sculpture.
Lateral teeth : teeth anterior or posterior to the cardinal teeth and usually some distance from the beaks. In inequilateral valves, the teeth become so distorted that it is often difficult to distinguish between laterals and cardinals.
Ligament : a band of tough elastic material uniting the two valves dorsally and maybe external, internal or both.
Lips : the aperture margins.
Linule : a slight depression in the dorsal margin in front of the beaks, it is usually heart-shaped and often set off from the rest of the shell by a difference in sculpture, color etc.
Midline : an imaginary line halfway between the anterior and posterior ends of a bivalve shell.
Nodule : a small bump.
Pallial line : the scar left by the attachment of the mantle edge to the shell.
Pallial sinus : a u-shaped notch or indentation in the pallial line caused by the attachment of siphon retractor muscles to the shell. Always opens posteriorly. Sometimes its lower margin is confluent with the pallial line.
Periostracun : a non-calcareous layer covering the outside of the shell, thin or thick but lost after death, thus usually being absent in specimens washed up on the beaches.
Radial : lines of sculpture or color starting at the beaks and radiating out to the margins.
Sculpture : ridges and grooves in the shell's surface, usually forming some sort of pattern.
Spiral : revolving, i.e., following the whorls.
Umbilicus : a small hole at the base of the columella.
Umbo : the convex part of the whorl concentrically behind the beaks.
The class Bivalvia or Bivalves includes more than 15,000 species of clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops that are characterized by a shell that is divided from front to back into left and right valves. They are called bivalves because the shell exists out of two halves that are mirror images of each other and are joined at one edge by a flexible hinge. Each half is asymmetrical and rounded, so that when it closes against the other half, it forms a domed space near the hinged edge of the shell which accommodates the bulk of the animal’s body and narrows towards the edge of the shell that opens. Some bivalves live on the surface and are relatively sedentary and immobile. They rarely burrow and are thus in permanent contact with relatively clean, mud-free water. (About.com, 2014).
Also known as Common Caribbean Donax. The shells are strong, solid, about 2.5 cm in length. The colour is variable—of cream, brown, purple, and grey, with fine radiating brown or purple rays. There may also be concentric rings of white, purple, or brown. There are also numerous fine radiating ribs usually white but sometimes tinted with brown or purple. The apex is usually purple as is the inside of the shell. In the left valve, the anterior cardinal tooth is bifid, but in the right valve it is the posterior one which is bifid. This bifurcation cannot be seen in worn specimens. There are two anterior and two posterior lateral teeth in the right valve, but only one of each in the left valve. The inner margin is crenulated or toothed. The pallial sinus reaches to the midline and is deeper than in D. striatus, from which species it can also be distinguished by the presence of two curved ridges on the posterior slope, D. striatus only having one.
Measuring at up to 7.5 cm long, the Mytella charruana is extremely inequilateral, the beaks found right at the anterior end. It is elongated, rounded on both ends, and resembles a half open fan, the anterior end being pointed and the posterior end broad. Its color is purple, blue, or brown, with a prominent olive, black or yellow-brown periostracum, traces of it usually being seen even in worn specimens. The exterior surface is smooth except for irregular growth rings and the margins are uncrenulated. There are two cardinal teeth in each valve, but in the right one the posterior or lower tooth is bifid the lateral teeth are absent. The ligament is external and bordering this ligament is a row of 100 or more minute teeth (but some are often worn away). The interior of the shell is smooth, purple (whitish in worn specimens) and pearly. This species is fairly common.
The Scapharca chemnitzii shell is up to 4 cm long and almost just as high. It is thick, sturdy, inflated (convex), equivalve (very slightly inequivalve) and inequilateral (beaks slightly anterior to midline- cf. Sc. Brasiliana which has the beaks more in the middle). It is roughly squarish in shape, the posterior end not so long as in Noetia centrota and Anadara ovalis. It beaks much more widely separated than in the other species (including Sc. Brasiliana), thus exposing a fairly large (and striated) cardinal area. Its color is usually white, but can also be a light brown or grey; banded specimens may occur. Its periostracum is thick, velvety, and reddish-brown in color and often remains in the radial grooves long after death. The surface sculptured by about 28 strong, transversely grooved and beaded (cf. Anadara ovalis) radial ribs. Growth stages are usually prominent. Hinge line with 25-50 teeth the larger specimens usually possessing more. It is fairly common, live specimens often being washed up or found at low tide in the East beach mudflats.
The Noetia Centrota is up to 4 cm in length. It is equivalve, inequilateral (it beaks in anterior half), thick, oblong in shape, rounded anteriorly and elongated posteriorly. The posterior end is much longer than in the other species and bears two radial ridges (which can be seen slightly indented, thus assuming on ear-like appearance). The beaks are fairly close together. It is white, light brown, or grey in color and is sometimes banded. The Interior of shell is whitish (but usually depends on the external coloring). It is sculptured by 32-35 finely beaded ribs (cf. Andara ovalis) with smaller riblets (also finely beaded) in the grooves between them (one per groove). Heavily marked growth rings can be seen in some specimens of this species. It has 28-36 hinge teeth, the larger specimens usually having more. The periostracum is thick, hairy, and reddish brown in color. This shell is not quite as common as the other two species.
The Crassostrea lacerta is a fairly thin shell, measuring up to 5 cm long. It is equivalve, inequilateral, and varies in shape from being long and narrow to being broadly circular, thus being highly irregular and often distorted. It often grows attached to each other in colonies which increases this irregularity and distortion. The color of the shell is usually a purplish-brown, but older more worn out and faded specimens may be a light brown. One shell found was black and in some places had worn away to reveal the yellow-brown undercoat, thus appearing mottled. The interior of shell is smooth and glossy. There are 5-8 weak radial ribs (often inconspicuous) and the ventral margin between these ribs is greatly indented, thus resembling a duck’s foot. These ribs and the indentations in the ventral margin are not so obvious in the long narrow forms. The ribs may bear nodules along their lengths. There is a prominent chondrophore. Single valves were very common and colonies, sometimes living, were commonly found cemented to Tonna, Pugilina, and many other shells.
Measuring up to 5 cm in length, the Anomia simplex is known to show varying degrees of distortion depending on its situation. Its color is usually black due to being in mud, but sometimes grey or light brown valves may also be found. In the Caribbean this species is a translucent yellow, silver, or orange. The surface is usually smooth and shiny apart from concentric growth rings. The inside of the shell is black and smooth (velvety to touch) and the left valve bears three muscle scars (one large adductor scar and two small byssal ones). The right valve bears only the single scar of the furrow. The hinge line may bear small crenulations. The margins are smooth. Usually only the upper (left) valve is washed ashore and is larger and more convex than the lower one which is smaller, flatter and also bears the byssal hole near the apex. It is found along the whole of the Atlantic coast.
The Chlamys linky is inequivalve, inquilateral (beaks slightly anterior to midline), and measures up to 3 cm long. Its coloring is white, cream, yellow-brown, orange-brown, red-brown or black, flecked with creams, browns, purples and greys. The upper (left) valve is slightly more convex than the lower one, and lacks the byssal notch; 14-16 strong, radial ribs sculpture each valve. The ears are also less prominent; the ears are sculptured by 14-16 strong, radial ribs. The ears are ribbed and roughly equal in length although in many specimens the posterior ear is often worn thus looking much shorter than the anterior one. The presence of the byssal notch (which is toothed or serrated) also makes the anterior ear look longer. Chondrophore is prominent.
This species is easily distinguished from C. linki because both valves are much more convex, it is much stronger and thicker, bears more ribs, and are usually larger. It is slightly inequivalve, equilateral, and is up to 2in. in length. The shell itself is grey or white in color and is often splashed with grey-black, purple, crimson, orange and brown. Each valve is sculptured by 20-28 ribs that are broader, flatter, and closer together than in C. linki. The whole surface bears very fine concentric laminations or striae, which in worn specimens can only be seen in the grooves between the ribs. The ears are again sculptured, but are much less prominent than in C. linki as is the byssal notch. There are 2 ridges (for articulation) on either side of the prominent chondrophore. This species is uncommon. The valves tend to be very worn and often broken.
The Crassostrea guyanensis is easily distinguishable from the Crassostrea lacerta, seeing as it is larger, thicker, stronger, and heavier. It measures up to 15 cm long, is usually circular in shape, and inequivalve. The lower or left valve being larger and deeper than the upper (right) one that often only acts as a lid. The surface is usually rough and highly irregular with pits, cavities, ridges and growth rings, but is sometimes worn smooth apart from the growth rings. It is dark grey in color and is often tinted with purple, while worn specimens are lighter in color like a yellow cream but still tinted with purple. The interior of shell is a dirty white or grey and is usually smooth and glossy. The beaks, although inconspicuous, can be distinguished by the chondrophore and also by the concentric growth rings that start and finish there. The single muscle scar is large and distinct and often tinted with pink or purple, but this tinting can really only be seen in specimens with a white interior. The shell margins smooth. This species is uncommon as well as edible.
The Protothaca pectorina species is similar to the Chione subrostata but is usually thicker and larger, growing up to 5 cm. The radial ribs are much stronger and more distinct, but the concentric ridges, although present, are faint, the emphasis in sculpture thus being on the radial ribs. Thus when stroked radially, the Chione feels rough but the Protothaca feels smooth. Its color varies from buff-brown to slate grey, and often bears alternating light and dark bands concentrically arranged. The lunule, is still bordered by a chocolate-brown as in C. subrostrata. The inner margin is again crenulated, but the posterior slope is more curved and less steep than in C. subrostrata when viewed from the inside. There are 2 cardinal teeth and one anterior lateral in each valve, the anterior cardinal being bifid on the left valve (but single in the right valve) and the posterior being bifid in the right valve and single in the left one ( as in C. subrostrata). The Pallial sinus is fairly well developed.
Measuring up to 4 cm long, the Chione subrostrata is inequilateral (beaks anterior to midline). They are usually a uniform white or creamy buff color, with radial or zigzag chocolate-brown markings and pink tinted beaks; slate grey specimens are also common. The sculpturing consists of many fine radial ribs traversed by graceful concentric ridges thus giving a cancellate appearance. In all except the slate grey forms, the lunule is chocolate-brown in color and bordered by a small groove. The escutcheon bears chocolate-brown markings even in otherwise unmarked specimens. The inner and ventral margins are crenulated due to the termination of the radial ribs. There are three hinge teeth in each valve (two cardinals and one anterior lateral). In the left valve the anterior cardinal tooth is bifid, but in the right valve the posterior one is bifid. The pallial sinus is obvious but not greatly developed. It is very common, specimens often being washed up alive at Braamspunt.
This species measures up to 7.5 cm long; it is sturdy, inequilateral (beaks prominent, pointed and anterior to midline), and broadly circular in shape. It has a glossy yellowish-white color and is sculptured with many low, smooth, neat and even, concentric ribs or ridges which become closer together in the umbonal region, and closer together and more prominent in the posterior region. In a specimen about 4.5 cm high there were twelve of these ribs in the first cm, and eleven in the first cm from the ventral margin inwards along the midline. In some old specimens, the ribs had been worn away and the shell was a chalky white or grey color. Growth rings are visible, but there is no axial sculpture and can thus be easily distinguished from the other Veneridas. The inside of the shell is smooth and white. There are three cardinal teeth in each valve, but in the right one the posterior is grooved along its length thus appearing double. The margins are smooth but in the region of the lunule there is a characteristic indentation. The pallial sinus is fairly well developed.
Measuring up to 7.5 cm long, the Macoma constricta is thin, but fairly strong, as well as fairly inflated. It is white or grey in color with a thin, fawnish-grey periostracum. The interior of the shell is smooth and the same color as the rest of the shell. It is pointed and partially truncate posteriorly. There is a kink or indentation in the posterior ventral margin, which in most specimens can be traced radially across the surface to the beaks. This kink is bordered by two ridges or folds, which may also be traced radially to the beaks. Surface sculptured by numerous growth lines and extremely fine radial rays, but is nevertheless still fairly smooth. There are two cardinal teeth in each valve. Lateral teeth are absent (as in all species of Macoma). Pallial sinus very well developed reaching almost to the anterior muscle scar and is confluent along most of its length with the pallial line. The anterior adductor muscle scar is slightly thinner and longer than the posterior one (cf. Strigilla gabbi).
The Tellina diantha is small brittle shell, measuring up to just over ½in. Its color is pink or pinkish-orange with a brown periostracum. The surface smooth and polished, with many fine concentric growth lines. The interior of shell is smooth, polished, and is the same color as exterior. Its posterior radial ridge present is close to the dorsal margin. The right valve bears 2 cardinal teeth (1 anterior and 1 posterior lateral). The left valve bears 2 cardinal teeth and 1 posterior lateral, but there is no anterior lateral. The lateral teeth are weak and only appear as raised or thickened portions of the dorsal margin. The pallial sinus is well developed, reaching past the midline but falling short of the anterior adductor muscle scar. Confluent is found along its length with the pallial line. Anterior adductor muscle scar is slightly thinner and longer than the posterior one. It differs from the small specimens of Tellina trinitatis in that the pallial sinus is further away from the dorsal margin. This species is extremely rare.
The Iphigenia brasiliensisis very similar in shape and color to the D. denticulatus specimen, but is much thicker and larger, growing up to 7.5 cm. It has prominent beaks that are usually tinged with purple. The inside of the shell varies from buff to dark grey depending on the color of the outside of the shell. The lateral teeth are absent. In the left valve the anterior one is bifid but in the right valve the posterior one is, in worn specimens this bifurcation cannot usually be seen. At the posterior end there is a slight indentation in the ventral margin. The surface is smooth except for irregular growth lines, and the inner margin is not crenulated or toothed. The pallial sinus is very large and stretches past the midline. The periostracum is thin and brown. It lives in shallow or brackish water and is fairly common.
The Cobula caribaea shell species measures up to 1.5 cm, and is thick, sturdy, very convex, almost equilateral (beaks very slightly anterior to midline) and inequivalve. It is rounded anteriorly but varies considerably in shape posteriorly from being partially truncate to being drawn out into a fairly sharp point. Also, the beaks in some specimens may not be nearly so convex and overhanging the dorsal margin as in others. Its color is a dull white, cream, whitish-grey or grey color with a yellowish periostracum. Strong, smooth, distinct, irregular concentric ribs or ridges sculpture the surface. The interior of shell is dull and white or grey, depending on the external color. Ligament internal in chondrophore. The right valve bears two posterior radial ridges, but the second one is very close to the dorsal margin and may be difficult to see. The left valve has only a single ridge. The right valve bears a single projecting cardinal tooth which fits into a V-shape socket in the left valve in such a way that it looks as if part of the hinge line in the left valve has been cut away. The left valve has only a very small projecting cardinal tooth. The adductor muscle scars roughly equal in the size, the posterior one being on a slightly raised platform.
The Cyrtopleura costata can attain lengths of up to 20 cm, but at Braamspunt there were some found that were only 10 cm. Its color varies from white to slate grey. The interior of the shell is furrowed due to the external ribs, the periostracum thin and grayish Valves bear 24-27 strong beaded ribs, which are especially sharp and abrasive anteriorly. The hinge extends dorsally into a large unseptated umbonal reflection. Under the beaks there is a spoon-shaped apophysis, but which is often missing in specimens washed up on the beach. Margins crenulate. They live one foot under the surface.
Reaching up to 5.5 cm long, the Mactrellona iheringi species are inequilateral (their beaks prominent, pointed and anterior to midline), with slightly more pointed anteriorly. The shell itself is thin, fragile and smooth except for fine concentric growth rings that become rougher both anteriorly and posteriorly. They are a white, grey, yellow-brown, or cream in color and the interior is the same color as the exterior. They are known to lack the posterior radial ridge of the Mulinia cleryana, Mactra petitii and Mactra surinamensis shells. The left valve bears one anterior lateral, one posterior lateral and three cardinal teeth, two of the latter teeth forming the characteristic V-shape. The third cardinal tooth is weak and sometimes broken. The right valve bears two cardinals, two anterior and two posterior laterals. The ligament is both external and internal: the chondrophore (containing the internal portion) being is set off from the rest of the ligament by a thin plate or septum. The pallial sinus is fairly well developed and stretches to the midline. Single valves are common but double valves are more rare.
Measuring at up to 4 cm in length, the Martesia striata are white in color with a thin fawn periostracum. The interior of the shell is white and smooth, except for the radial groove, which shows through as a small ridge. They have beaks nearly at anterior end, and at the anterior end the valves are short, rounded and almost closed but taper and elongate posteriorly to a rounded point where the gape is wider. The posterior end is also very fragile and easily broken. There is a fine radial groove from the beaks to the ventral margin and anterior to this groove and there are numerous finely denticulated ribs. Posterior to this groove there are concentric growth rings. On both the dorsal and ventral surfaces there is a long narrow calcareous plate between the valves, which probably serves to keep them together. In addition there is a characteristic circular shield or plate over the beaks. The umbonal reflection is small and the apophysis long and thin. The ligament is very small. Pallial sinus reaches past the internal ridge. Margins smooth. They bore into driftwood (usually against the grain) and are not so uncommon. When seen along the beach, they are found in great numbers (i.e. colonies).
Measuring up to 5.25 cm long, the Anadara ovalis is known to be thick, sturdy, equivalve, inequilateral (beaks anterior to midline) and oval in shape except for a widely splayed out posterior end. The valves on this species are much flatter and the beaks much closer together (almost touching) and more anterior than Scapharca chemnitzii. Its color is white, cream, grey or brown, and is sometimes banded. It has 32-34 broad smooth ribs (of other two species) that are wider than the grooves between them. In large specimens, irregular growth rings can be seen near the margins. The hinge line is more curved than in Scapharca Chemnitzii, and bears some 30-40 teeth, the larger specimens usually having more. A thick hairy or velvety reddish-brown periostracum covers the lower 1/3 of the shell, but may extend up as far as the beaks via the radial grooves between the ribs. It possesses red blood (hence its name) due to the red blood pigment haemoglobin and is one of the very few molluscs to have it; most others possess the colorless pigments haemocyanin and haemerythrin. It is found in relatively shallow water and is fairly common, the live specimens are often found at low tide at the East beach mudflats or are sometimes washed up on the shore.
Measuring up to nearly 2 cm long, the Nuculana concentrica is strong, having an inequilateral roundly pointed anterior that tapers posteriorly to a fairly sharp point that turns slightly upwards. It is glossy white, cream, grey-white or grey in color. The interior of shell is usually the same color as the rest of the shell. It is sculptured by very fine and numerous concentric striae, but is nevertheless still quite smooth. The umbones are completely smooth and do not possess this sculpturing. The ligament internal and housed in a chondrophore, and it has 16-20 teeth in both anterior and posterior groups; the teeth are roughly equal in number in both the anterior and posterior groups. The pallial sinus is not easy to see. It is easily distinguished from Adrana scaphoides, A. egregia and A. gloriosa by its small size and from Y. crosbyana by its pointed posterior end. It was once uncommon. All the shell found at Braamspunt were less than 1 cm long and double valves were found.
This resembles the Angel Wing but is slightly more pointed anteriorly and much longer and more pointed posteriorly. Up to 12 cm in length. Small specimens tend to be pure white but larger ones vary from white to slate grey. Valves bear 20-40 beaded ribs, smaller specimens having less. At the anterior end these ribs are distinct and the beads sharp and abrasive, but at the posterior end they are indistinct and the beads smooth. There are also concentric growth rings which become very distinct posteriorly. The apophysis is stout and the umbonal reflection is large and septated thus resembling a viaduct. Interior of shell lightly furrowed due to the external ribs. Margins fairly smooth except anteriorly. Pallial sinus does not quite reach the midline. They live in colonies in vertical burrows and in sand close to the shore.
Up to 7.5 cm long, inequilateral (beaks posterior to midline), broad anteriorly but more pointed and gaping posteriorly. White, yellow-brown or grey in color and extremely fragile. The external surface is sculptured by distinct, smooth, concentric ridges and grooves which are more numerous and closer inside of the valves. The left valve bears 3 cardinal teeth ( 2 of which form the characteristic V-shape and the 3rd which is weak and often broken), 1 anterior and 1 posterior lateral. The right valve bears 2 cardinal teeth and 1 posterior lateral tooth but the anterior one appears to be absent. There is again a prominent chondrophore separated from the external ligament by a thin plate or spetum. Pallial sinus fairly well developed. Red-brown periostracum.
Up to 4 cm long, oval, thin, and the beaks are very anterior. Broader and shorter anteriorly but comes to a sharper point than the narrow, elongated, gaping posterior end. Off-white ( fawn) or white in color with a dark brown periostracum. Sculpture consists of over 40 radial ribs and numerous ( but less obvious fine concentric growth lines. These radial ribs are less numerous anteriorly, but are larger, rougher, more widely spaced and bear sharp spines ( used in boring), the margin thus being crenulated in this region but smooth elsewhere. Posteriorly they become more numerous but fainter and lack the spines. The cardinal teeth are long and pointed there being 2 in the right valve (of which the posterior one is grooved along its length i.e bifid) and 3 in the left valve. The anterior 2 protrude into the mantle cavity ( as in the right valve), but the posterior one is parallel with the hinge line and does not protrude. This posterior tooth may not be very obvious in worn specimens. The median cardinal tooth is bifid. Lunule well defined. The interior of the shell is white but not very smooth as the ribs show through. Bores horizontally and mechanically ( i.e without use of enzymes or acids). Can also be found in salts marshes. It resembles small specimens of Pholas campechiensis ( Pholadidae) but lacks the umbonal reflection ( ‘viaduct’). This specimen is very rare.
Up to 3.75 cm long, slightly inequilateral ( beaks very slightly anterior to midline). White, cream, light brown or grey in color (or mixtures thereof). The shell is thicker than in Mactrellona iheringi and the umbonal region is higher, each valve thus being more convex. The posterior region bears a distinct radial ridge. The external surface is smooth except for concentric growth rings and the inside is shiny. The right valve bears 2 cardinal teeth, 2 anterior laterals and 2 posterior laterals. The left valve bears 3 cardinals, 1 anterior lateral and 1 posterior lateral. The 2 anterior cardinal teeth form the characteristic V-shape and the 3rd one (which is very weak and often broken) is just behind them. Again there is a prominent chondrophore. The pallial sinus is not as well developed as in Mactrellona iheringi and fails to reach the midline. The periostracum is brown and fairly thick. This species is very common.
Donax striatus is very similar in size and shape to the Donax denticulatus but has only a single ridge on the posterior slope and the pallial sinus is not as deep, only reaching as far as the beaks. The color is also more uniform-usually white but often with black or brown streaks or blotches. Concentric rings may be present but are not distinct as in the last species. There is a single anterior lateral tooth in the right valve, otherwise the teeth are the same as in D. denticulatus. The inner margin is again toothed or crenulated. This species is also very common.
The Gastropoda or Gastropods is a class that includes snails and slugs. They are by far the largest groups of molluscs, with more than 62,000 described living species, and they comprise about 80% of living molluscs. Animals in this class are characterized by a single coiled shell containing the coiled visceral mass and a head-foot bearing sensory tentacles, eyes, and a radula for feeding. Most gastropods live attached to hard surfaces such as rocks, jetties, harbor walls, and roots of trees, or wander over the surface of the sand or mud. (About.com, 2014).
The Natica cayennensis is similar to that of the Natica marochiensis shell, but is slightly bigger (perhaps up to ¾ cm). It is also duller, less colorful (as in it looks faded) and not so polished when compared to the Natica marochiensis shell. The background color is a creamy yellow with three spiral rows of light brown markings; older more worn out specimens are often grey. There are five whorls, as well as a large body whorl, but the apex is much flatter than in Natica marochiensis and it is the same color as the rest of the shell. The umbilicus is large and the callus and base of the shell are white or yellow-cream. The interior of the shell is usually white or white-brown, often tinted with purple. The surface is rougher than in Natica marochiensis due to growth wrinkles, which become especially prominent near the suture line. The white suture line of Natica marochiensis is absent. The Natica cayennensis is not as common as Natica marochiensis.
Natica marochiensis (Gmelin, 1791) - Morocco Natica
Reaching up to 2.5 cm long, the Natica marochiensis has a strong shell that has a yellow-brown exterior, turning black or dark red at the apex, with 5 spiral rows of brown markings. On the shell there are five whorls, the body whorl being fairly large. The umbilicus is small, but the callus is fairly large and white in color, as is the suture line and the base of the shell. The interior of the shell is smooth and brownish. This shell is fairly common.
Measuring at up to 9 cm in length, the Thais haemastoma is fairly heavy and is often rough in texture. Its spire is sharp and fairly well developed, but is less than ½ the body whorl in length. There are six whorls, but the suture line between them may sometimes be indistinct. The color of the shell varies tremendously from cream, yellow, grey, orange, orange-brown, red-brown, brown, black, and is often banded or blotched with purple and in some specimens’ brown and black as well. Sculptures also varies considerably but always consists of numerous, fine spiral striae and axial growth markings.
Bursa spadicea (Montfort, 1810) – Chestnut frog shell
The Bursa spadicea measures up to 5 cm long. It is thick, heavy, and strong with a well-developed and pointed spire, the laterally flattened. Its color usually consists of alternating spiral bands of chestnut brown and white, but often grey/black, lavender or yellow/orange may be present instead. A row of varies occurs up each edge of the flattened spire. The surface is covered by spiral rows of small beads. These gastropods live in fairly deep water and thus the specimens that wash up on the beach have somewhat faded colors and the beads are usually indistinct. The shell has six whorls and the body whorl fairly well developed with a slightly elongated aperture. Columella bears about 18 strong plicae all along its length. The interior of aperture is lightly furrowed and is white in color often tinted with lavender. It has prominent siphonal and anal canals. This shell was once fairly common.
The Tonna galea usually grows up to 25 cm. Its color varies from a uniform white or a creamy yellow with slate grey blotches to a uniform slate grey. The shell is nearly as wide as it is long, due to a very large body whorl that forms almost 90% of the shell. In large specimens, this shell is fairly strong but is thinner and often broken into smaller ones. There are six whorls that make up this shell, and the spiral suture between them is deeply sunken, the columella is twisted. There are about twenty smooth broad ribs running spirally, separated by fairly deep grooves. The outer lip is slightly thickened at its edge and is crenulated.
Anachis sparta
There are two other species of Anachis, as yet unidentified, found here. They both closely resemble A. Obesa even possessing the spiral cord. In one of the species however the columella base and siphonal canal twist, or turn back, more than in A. Obesa. These species are not uncommon.
The Nassarius Vibex is usually a whitish brown color, although some found may be black. The aperture is usually ear-shaped, and the sculpture consists of 11-13 strong, beaded axial ribs and numerous fine spiral threads. There are about 7 whorls on the shell and the suture between them is ridged and beaded, it is also noted that there is a well-developed parietal shield.
The Marginella prunum measures up to 2.5 cm in length and is known to be rather strong. It has a pinkish-grey or grey-black color; older more worn specimens are often rose pink and bear chalky white lines, which are the different shell layers. Its spire is moderately well developed and pointed, and its thickened untoothed outer lip is burred over along its outer edge. The columella bears 4 plicae. This shell is very common.
Melampus coffea (Linneaus, 1758) - Coffee Bean Shell
Measuring up to nearly 2 cm long, the Melampus coffea is fairly sturdy, and smooth. Its exterior color is pale chocolate with 3 narrow creamy bands on the body whorl. Many specimens found on the beach are faded, and are often chalky white in color. The shell has four or five whorls, the body whorl being very large and the spire short and flattened. The outer lip, although not thick, is crenulated due to the termination of many fine internal ribs. The columella bears two white plicae. It is usually found in the mudflats, coastal marshes, and mangrove swamps, but empty shells were often found along the beach as well. The smallest specimen found on Braamspunt is less than 0.5 cm long.
The Pugilina morio shell measures up to 15 cm long and 7.5 cm wide. It has a rather high count of whorls and terminates in a sharp point. Its color is usually a chocolate-brown and near the top of each whorl there is a slightly sunken yellow-cream spiral band. In some specimens this band was discolored and indistinct. At the top of each whorl, there are a number of large, prominent hollow horns that gradually get smaller and more solid towards the apex. The sculpturing consists of numerous fine spiral striae, which become grouped and more prominent at certain intervals to form ribs. In addition there are numerous, very fine axial striae and growth marks. The body whorl is very large and has a long narrow aperture. The outer lip is only slightly thickened and is crenulated due to spirally arranged internal ribs. There is a thick brown velvety periostracum and specimens washed up on the beach without it are often highly polished.
Cymatium poulseni (Morch, 1877) - Poulsen’s Triton
Up to 7.5 cm in length, fairly thick, strong, but light and slightly glazed. Spire not extremey well developed (less than ½ of total length) blunt, and with the nuclear whorls often missing. 5 or 6 whorls with a well-defined but unsunken suture line. Yellowish-brown or light grey in color. Sculpture consists of smooth spiral ribs and fine axial growth lines. There are about 20 of these ribs on the body whorl, but this species is not as heavily scultured as some of the other tritons. Body whorl fairly well developed (over ½ total length) with a fairly large, slightly elongate D-shaped aperture. Outer lip thickened and crenulated along its inner edge. Columella not plicate. Interior of aperture lighter than the external color and crenulated. Siphonal canal fairly well developed.
Ellobium pellucens Menke
Resembles Marginella prunum but the shell is very much thinner and weaker. 5 whorled, smooth, white or grey in color and up to 3.75 cm in length. The body whorl is again large but the spire is better developed than in Marginella prunum. Outer lip of columella is not thickened (cf. Marginella prunum). The columella bears only 2 plicae.
Collecting seashells has been a hobby for many people through the years. Something about these magnificent creatures just amazes us. Although seashells are known for their outer beauty, many people don’t understand how special they really are. There hasn’t been much research done about shells in general and especially not in Suriname. The true qualities of these shells have yet to be explored.
Many people don’t know that a seashell is a hard, protective outer layer created by an animal that lives in the sea. The shell is part of the body of the animal. Empty shells are often found washed up on beaches by beachcombers. The shells are empty because the animal has died and the soft parts have been eaten by another animal or have rotted out.
This is a collection of shells found on the beach of Braamspunt. The shells found on the Surinamese coast originate from shell animals living on the bottom of the sea within the zone of coastal waters. After the death of the shell animals, the shells are transported to the coast.
Our seashell gallery is divided into two parts: bivalves and gastropods. Click on the links to check them out! There are also some thumbnails of seashell pictures taken on the beach. Have a look around! We hope you like what you see :)