2006: DEC | NOV | OCT | SEP | AUG | JUL | JUN | MAY | APR | MAR | FEB | JAN
2004 | 2005
Please forgive me for the lack of reports over these last few months. Partly I wanted to take a short break as well as rethink how to make reporting of recent finds more manageable over the long-term. It can get to be time consuming. At the moment, I think the best option is to provide a monthly summary of the most interesting finds. So, please bear with me as this gets a little more thought. Reports will resume very shortly, to include a very good report by Doug Brennan. Thanks!
March 31 - Agat Bay
Kevin, Steve and Bob got together for a night dive. We intended to dive offshore in Agana but condition picked up, so we headed to Agat instead. Conditions were a little surgy towards shore and up shallow, out deeper things improved. Although there was hardly any moon, we did not see too much out there.
COWRIES - a live Cribrarula cribaria on the reef at ~30 ft. (KE)
RANELLIDAE - Cymatium (Septa) rubeculum - on rocks, ~40 ft. (BA)
NOTED - spotted a Leporicypraea mappa though just reaching maturity, left alone. (BA), a few common cones were on the rocks to such as Conus miles and Conus rattus.
March 25 & 26 - Tanguissan Beach
Conditions were calm enough to allow some shore dives off Tanguissan. On Saturday, Fred and Bob made one dive. On Sunday, Jason joined up as well and we made three dives. Visibility was not as good as typical and there was a little bit of surface chop, but otherwise it was very comfortable diving. As for finds, we turned up lots of micro stuff needing ID. Otherwise, these are the highlights:
CONES - Conus cylindraceus - small, dead, chipped lip (BA), Conus varius - took one of two specimens, underneath rubble. ~70 ft. (BA)
COSTELLARIDS - Vexillum (Costellaria) leucozonias - nice shape (BA)
MUREX - Marchia laqueatus - live, large! needs some picking but looks very nice. (JS); Phyllocoma convolutum - large but tip of spire missing. alive?(JS)
TURRIDS - Mitromorpha? sp. - a pretty micro, will post a picture soon (BA, JS).
NOTED - spotted a rather nice Lambis scorpio but had a small scar along the inner lip. (BA); Purpuradusta fimbriata - nice but left alone, under rubble, ~70 ft. (BA); a Turbo petholatus under rubble, ~70 ft. (BA)
March 19
Hospital Point - Fred and Steve headed out this way off Fred's boat, inviting along Val Darkin who was visiting for a few days. Conditions were up though they were managed to make a day of it. Several Strombus taurus turned up, most were beaters but I think everyone left with at least one nice one. Also, Steve mentioned finding a nice male Lambis chiragra and a small but gem Lambis crocatum.
Agat Bay - Kevin visited his favorite sand pit in Agat Bay, turning up more of the usual dead finds including Ipsa childreni, Annepona maria, Erosaria dillwyni, Trochini (Clanculus) granti.
Agana Bay - Bob did a little snorkling in Agana Bay. Not much luck in way of finds though a small, live Conus episcopatus turned up. Also noted was a live, large Conus geographus but with a damaged spire.
March 18 - Agat Bay
Bob and Fred got together for an afternoon dive. Conditions have kicked up yet again, visibility was poor. All finds were dead (unless noted otherwise), on sand at approximately 55 ft. Fred surely had other interesting finds though we were busy packing our gear and ready to head back to the dive shop. We just never took a moment to look closely at his loot.
BONNETS - Casmaria erinaceus - appears to be fresh. (BA)
COSTELLARIDS - Vexillum (Costellaria) amandum - large but may be slightly faded. (BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) corbiculum - nice shape (BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) gotoense - Fred mentioned it was in decent shape (FS); Vexillum (Pusia) patriarchalis - fair shape. (BA); Vexillum (Pusia) recurvirostris - two, chipped lips, otherwise fairly nice (BA)
DOG WHELK - Nassarius pauperus - surprised to discover it was alive. (BA)
MITERS - Mitra (Nebularia) lugubris - looks nice (BA); Mitra (Nebularia) rubignea - medium size, thin lip, otherwise nice. (BA)
March 12 - Tanguissan Beach
We returned in hopes of more luck. We had the whole gang...Steve, Kevin, Fred, Jason, Bob and Harry. As a group, we didn't do too bad. Quite a few micro species were collected, will take a bit of work identifying these little beasties. An interesting note on Harry's part, he commented to Steve that Tanguissan is similar to Wing Beach on Saipan.
CONCHS - Lambis scorpio - live, very nice! (FS)
COSTELLARIDS - Thala sp. - under rubble, ~60 ft. (BA), Vexillum goubini - under rubble. (JS)
COWRIES - Erosaria helvola - a couple in shallow (SN); Staphylaea nucleus - two, one live (FS), another fresh dead (KE)
MARGINELLIDS - Prunini (Volvarina) philippinarum - live, under rubble. (FS)
MUREX - Aspella producta - a couple, under rubble, ~65 ft. (BA); Favartia crouchi - two live (BA, JS); Pascula lefevreiana - a couple more (FS, BA), Morula echinata - two live (BA, FS)
PHEASANT SHELLS - Phasianella solida - a couple under algae covered rocks, ~20 ft. (BA, SN)
SCALLOPS - Pectin marybellae - none very large but all nice.(FS, KE, SN)
TURRIDS - Lienardia thyridota - an unconfirmed 'micro' from Guam. In rubble, ~65 ft. (figured above, left, L x W X H: 5.7 x 2.9 x 2.7mm) (BA)
March 12 - Apra Harbor
After two dives at Tanguissan, Steve and Harry made a third dive at Gabgab Beach. They turned up several nice finds.
CONCHS - Strombus luhuanus - many were noted, choice specimens were selected with red, orange, and yellow apertures. (HB)
CONES - Conus aureus - a nice, medium sized specimen. (HB)
COWRIES - Leporicypraea mappa - three live, each nice. (HB)
Steve noted several Mauritia eglantina, one Erosaria moneta, and one Erronea cylindrica.
March 11 - Tanguissan Beach
With the ocean calmed down, we decided to shore dive along the northern end of the island. Fred, Jason and Bob made it out to Tanguissan and were quite successful!
COSTELLARIDS - Thala exilis - under rubble, ~60 ft. (BA)
MITERS - Mitra patriarchalis - nice specimen, under rubble, in sand, ~20 ft (BA)
MUREX - Dermomurex cf. neglecta - rare, certainly the find of the day. Under rubble, ~70 ft. (above right) (JS); Aspella producta - under rubble, ~65 ft. (BA); Favartia sp. - dead, under rubble, ~70 ft. (above left) (BA); Pascula lefevreiana - two, under rubble. (FS)
BITS & PIECES - piece of body whorl to Conus auricomus (FS)
March 11 - Harry Blalock came down from Saipan and joined up with Steve for some diving. They made several dives at different locations.
Dive 1 - Agana Bay - offshore from Palace Hotel (Rick's Reef)
CONCHS - Lambis scorpio - a nice live specimen. (HB)
CONES - Conus bullatus - a young specimen, in sand, ~80 ft. (HB)
Dive 2 - Agat Bay - Steve noted they picked up a lot of shells though not sure what treasures they came back with.
March 5 - Agana Bay
Well, the boat was initially heading towards Hospital Point but, after a poor surf report on Bob's part (that's me...sigh...), it became clear that conditions were too rough. Instead, we headed just south, anchoring immediately offshore from the Palace Hotel (Rick's Reef). This is an area we often dive from shore during calmer times of year. It was nice to get a perspective of the area from the boat.
While the surfers enjoyed nice sets of waves rolling in near shore, diving offshore was really not too bad along the deeper areas. The habitat is very nice and there is plenty of rubble to turn. That said, Fred, Steve, and Bob came away from the day's diving mostly empty handed. Oh well. Fred did pick up a decent Pectin speciosum, Steve a nice valve of a Semipallium marybelli, Bob with just an old piece of Lambis crocata as a tease. The best find, I think, was Steve's Strawberry Goblet, Clivipollia fragaria. These are pretty little things.
March 5 - Agat Bay
Kevin was down in Agat, at his favorite pit. Water visibility was, again, on the murky side. Turned up more dead finds, of note were several Trochini (Clanculus) granti, and what appeared to be a decent Vexillum (Pusia) turben. As teasers, he had two large Conus cylindraceus with large portions missing from the spire and body whorls.
March 4 - Agat Bay
Jason, Fred and Bob got together for one shore dive in the afternoon. Water visibility was murky, perhaps due to the fairly large tide swing. We had an odd assortment, with slim pickings among the notable finds.
COSTELLARIDS - Vexillum (Costellaria) gotoense - light color, it may be faded.(BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) zelotypum - this group appears to be getting closer scrutiny, and names are likely to change. I didn't see the specimen, but talking with Fred, it sounds as though it is what we would consider a 'typical' V. zelotypum (FS)
OLIVES - Oliva panniculata - noted a few live ones, took one decent one. (BA)
TURRIDS - Xenuroturris cingulifera - a large, live specimen was found in the siltier sand edging the reefline, between rubble.
NOTED - Several live Oliva annulata were noted under rubble, in silty sand, along the reefline. I've not reported this species too often though it is common. (BA)
February 26 - Orote Cliffs
Fred, Jason and Bob ventured out for some boat diving. Not a lot of finds, but what turned up was nice!
COSTELLARIDS - Vexillum (Costellaria) costatum - several more turned up in the sand. (FS); Vexillum (Pusia) turben - a small but very fresh dead specimen, under rubble. (FS)
MUREX - Chicoreus laqueatus - average size, clean, under a large boulder (JS); Marchia martinetana - a tough find for Guam! Same habitat as C. laqueatus. (FS)
OLIVES - Oliva paxillus - a very dark specimen. (JS)
SPINDLES - Dolicholatirus lancea - a pair, on reef under thin layer of sand, ~50 ft. (BA)
February 26 - Agat Bay
Steve and Kevin revisited Agat. Steve mentioned a few nice finds though I think I'm missing a few, no report thus far from Kevin. So this is very brief.
HARPS - Harpa harpa - dead, in sand (SN).
MITERS - Mitra (Nebularia) lugubris - dead, in sand. (SN)
February 25 - Agat Bay
Steve, Bob and Fred revisited once more. Bob explored some of the less productive areas, hoping for something a little different though not much came out of it. Steve and Fred proved that more nice finds are to be had in the area we've been working. Though, with no heavy seas to bring in more fresh finds, the good finds are starting to get harder to come by.
COSTELLARIDS - Vexillum (Costellaria) amandum - one. (FS) Vexillum (Costellaria) radix ? - whatever these guys are, they are not at all common.(SN)
TURRIDS - same unidentified species as last weekend. Fresh dead. (BA)
February 19 - Agat Bay
We put boat diving on hold as we are still finding some nice shells offshore from Agat. It was worth it. Steve, Kevin, Fred and Bob came up with a nice assortment, especially with the miters
AUGERS - Hastula lanceata - live, in sand, slightly larger than most from Guam. (BA)
COSTELLARIDS - Vexillum (Costellaria) amandum - several, Steve had a few with nice patterns, Fred and Bob with paler specimens (SN, BA, FS); Vexillum (Costellaria) gotoense - several, one of Steve's was quite large (SN, BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) leucozonias - live, along reef periphery, silty sand. (BA)
MITERS - Mitra (Nebularia) fulvescens form telum - on sand. (KE)
February 18 - Agat Bay
Bob and Fred revisited the sands of Agat Bay. After a little kicked up surf, the sand produced a few more goodies, all dead finds, at ~55 ft, unless noted otherwise. It was a very good day of collecting, here are the hightlights:
CONCHS - Strombus wilsonorum - quite a few, many quite large. (BA)
COSTELLARIDS - Vexillum (Costellaria) amandum - one, large though with a small drill hole on the spire. (BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) corbiculum - my first for this rare species, and a nice one (figured left) (BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) gotoense - two in nice condition (BA, FS); Vexillum (Costellaria) tusum - small but nice (BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) sp. - (refer to Mitre Shells from the Pacific and Indian Ocean, as V. (C.) zelotypum, plate 28, fig. 6) - live! (BA)
HARPS - Harpa major - two, one is quite nice, the other less so. (BA)
MITERS - Mitra lugubris - large, nice shape (BA)
TURRIDS - an unidentified species (figured right), found alive. (BA)
TRITONS - Cymatium labiosum - large, nice shape (BA)
February 12 - Orote Cliffs
Bob, Jason and Fred joined up for some boat diving. Thankfully, the firing range was not open and we were able to dive anywhere we liked along the entire cliffline. The first two dives were near 'The Crevice' and a third, very near, was around Barracuda Rock. As for the shelling, several nice finds. I think I've hit on the hightlights here.
CONES - Conus legatus - fresh dead, nice size, in sand, ~50 ft. (FS)
CONCHS - Strombus haemostoma - several small but nice, in sand, ~50 ft. (BA, FS, JS); Strombus microurceus - they were everywhere! a few choice specimens were selectected. (FS)
COSTELLARIDS - Vexillum (Costellaria) potieri - large and lovely, crabbed, on the reef at ~140 ft! (FS); Vexillum (Costellaria) unifasciatum - a couple, in sand, ~50 ft. (FS); Vexillum (Costellaria) costatum - two, in sand, ~50 ft. (BA, FS)
COWRIES - Erosaria labrolineata - under rocks, ~50 ft (JS); Palmadusta clandestina - under rocks, ~50 ft. (JS)
MITERS - Swainsonia fusca - just a few in the sand, ~50 ft. (BA, FS)
OLIVES - Oliva panniculata - Several lovely ones, in sand, ~50 ft (BA, FS, JS), including one forma williamsi (FS); Oliva paxillus - a couple small but very dark specimens, in sand, ~50 ft. (JS)
TURRIDS - Lienardia giliberti - several, under rocks, ~50 ft. (BA, JS); Turris garnonsi - a small one, in sand, ~50 ft. (FS)
February 11 - Agat Bay
Steve and Bob made it out for a couple shore dives, fanning sand for shells at ~30 ft, off Dadi Beach (Naval Station). Conditions along Guam's shores were still slightly up but here it was calm and protected. We didn't do too bad.
CONCHS - Terebellum terebellum - two live, in sand. (BA)
COSTELLARIDS - Vexillum (Costellaria) leucozonias - alive, on sand, large and very nice! (SN)
COWRIES - Annepona mariae - a few dead, over the sand. (BA, SN), Bistolida hirundo - large, faded but still glossy, in sand (BA); Erosaria dillwyni - a few very dead ones, in sand (BA, SN)
MITERS - Mitra (Dibaphus) edentulus - dead, in sand. (SN), Mitra (Mitra) ustulata - dead, in sand, very good condition, with the protoconch still intact (SN), Scabricola desetangsii - dead, several very large and fresh (BA, SN)
TELLINS - Tellinella crucigera - noted about a dozen live specimens in the sand, kept two. (BA)
NOTED - Lambis chiragra - on the sand (SN); Strombus lentiginosus - on the sand. (SN); Swainsonia casta - in sand. (BA); Oliva annulata - a number of live specimens in the sand. (BA, SN); Oliva panniculata - several small live specimens. (BA)
BITS & PIECES - part of body whorl of Conus pertusus (BA), small piece of body whorl of Vexillum turben (BA)
February 5 - Orote Cliffs & Apra Harbor
Kevin and Bob joined up with Fred for a day of boat diving. The conditions were picked up, so after one dive along Orote Cliffline, we ventured into the calmer, more protected waters of Apra Harbor. It turned out to be a fairly productive day for shelling. Here are the hightlights:
Orote Cliff - near the mouth of Apra Harbor. We had a stiff current! (one dive)
BONNETS - Casmaria erinaceus - fresh dead, under rubble, ~85 ft. (BA)
CONES - Conus miles - A large specimen for Guam, maybe 50mm or so? It was very nice. (FS)
Apra Harbor - near the tip of the Glass Breakwater (two dives)
AUGERS - Hastula penicillata - a few large specimen in the sand (KE)
CONCHS - Strombus fragilis - first time I've seen a fair number in a while! Kept a few nice ones. (BA, KE)
CONES - Conus aureus - a nice specimen, under rubble, in sand, ~40 ft. (BA), Conus textile - large and lovely, under rubble, in sand. (FS); Conus vexillum - a nice sized specimen. (KE)
COWRIES - Cypraea cylindraceus - a nice specimen, under rubble, ~35 ft. (BA)
FROG SHELLS - Bursa rosa - a large specimen, on the reef, ~35 ft. (BA)
MITERS - Mitra (Mitra) mitra - took a nice one of several in the sand (KE), Mitra (Mitra) papalis - one, in sand (KE), Neocancilla papilio - several, in sand (KE)
MUREX - Phyllocoma convolutum - a large, dead specimen, in sand. (KE)
TOP SHELLS - Trochini (Clanculus) granti - several dead, in sand. (KE)
NOTED - a couple old Strombus sinuatus. (BA, KE)
February 4 & 5 - Agat Bay
Steve and Bob made it out here on Saturday; Steve revisited on Sunday. Here's a list of the notable finds:
COWRIES - Chelycypraea testudinaria - a reasonably fresh-dead specimen was found over the sand! (SN)
January 29 - Orote Cliffs
It was just Fred and Bob on the boat, we headed out to the cliffline. We were a somewhat limited as to dive sites as there were drills at Naval Station's firing range. So, we had to stay away from a few favorite spots. Conditions by the cliff were fairly well protected from the swells, but we did have to contend with moderately strong currents. The diving was very nice but we were not too successful with shelling. So, little to report:
BUCCINIDAE - Pisania truncata - under rubble, ~80 ft. (BA)
MUREX - Favartia crouchi - a pink one, nice shape, under rubble, ~70 ft. (BA)
TRITONS - Cymatium lotorium - dead, crabbed, in very good shape, ~70 ft. (BA)
NOTED - Phyllocoma convolutum - immature (~7mm), under rubble, ~70 ft. (BA); several Purpuradusta fimbriata under rubble (BA, FS)
January 28 & 29 - Agat Bay
Steve, Bob and Fred made it to out here on Saturday, Steve returned on Sunday. Kevin returned to the 'other' pit on Sunday. Conditions were a slightly picked up and we had reduced visibility. Water felt a little cooler too. Here's a few of the highlights (all dead finds unless noted otherwise). I might be missing a few (if so, gents, please remind me and I'll update the list):
CONCHS - Strombus plicatus pulchellus - a very nice specimen. (SN)
COSTELLARIDS - Vexillum (Costellaria) cf. obeliscus - a live one! (SN); Vexillum (Costellaria) amandum - several, Steve's first one was especially nice. (BA, SN); Vexillum (Pusia) recurvirostris - one, in surprisingly good condition (BA)
DOG WHELKS - Nassarius crematus? - two (BA, SN)
MITERS - Ziba annulata - several live (BA, SN)
At first, Steve and I thought they may be a smooth variation of Z. verrucosa, then we toyed with the idea that they may be immature Z. interlirata. I've dismissed these notions after talking with Fred. He dropped the name Ziba annulata, one I was not familiar with. So, referring to Mitridae Costellaridae, it confirms Fred's assessment. The figured specimens compare with ours. As it turns out, the species has been found on Guam before (included in a list by Richard Salisbury); it is not confirmed by UOG. (The previous reports of Z. interlirata are, in fact, that species and not what is being discussed here.)
January 22 - Orote Cliffs
Steve, Fred and Jason were on the boat, along the cliffline on Sunday. They did three dives but had little to report for finds...sometimes it goes that way.
CONCHS - Strombus microurceus - Several color varieties. (FS)
MITERS - Mitra fusca - several, in sand. (FS, JS)
OLIVES - Oliva panniculata forma williamsi - Among the normal color forms, one of this highly desireable form. (SN)
January 21 & 22 - Agat Bay
Yet another weekend playing in the sand. Steve, Bob and Fred were there on Saturday; Bob and Kevin on Sunday. Really, more of the same, but we have a great time finding all these different shells in the sand.
BUCCINIDAE - Colubraria antiquata - Kevin found one of these last March, and I finally turned one up yesterday! Certainly rare, it has not been confirmed from Guam. (BA)
CONCHS - Strombus bulla - a very nice one. (SN); Strombus plicatus pulchellus - both were in nice condition. (SN, BA); Terebellum terebellum form lineata - a large one. (BA)
CONES - Conus nussatella - appears to be in decent shape.(SN)
COSTELLARIDS - Vexillum (Costellaria) gotoensis - nice color. (BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) leucozonias - just one, very good condition and large. (SN); Vexillum (Costellaria) suluense - two, one quite nice. (SN)
HARPS - Harpa harpa - A live one crawling on the surface of the sand! (SN)
MITERS - Mitra (Nebularia) bernhardina - several (BA, SN); Pterygia crenulata - an older, somewhat beat-up specimen. (SN); Mitra fraga - a couple in decent shape, one was very large (BA, SN); Neocancilla clathrus - still a nunmber (BA, SN), including one live (BA); Domiporta granatina - Steve with another large one (SN); Mitra lugubris - a few (BA); Domiporta praestantissima - a few in good, slightly faded condition (BA)
TRITONS - Cymatium vespacium - small, fair shape. (BA); Cymatium gemmatum - one each (SN, BA)
January 16 - Agat Bay
Kevin had the day off, made it out to Agat Bay for another dive. He reports:
The dive was not too bad...I was really happy with a Cypraea mariae I got. Looks Fresh Fresh dead and it is 3/4 of an inch big....Then the usual stuff...
Very cool! A few more at that size and you can play marbles!
January 15 - Orote Cliffs
Fred, Steve and Bob made three dives along the cliffline. Conditions improved through the day, a nice surprise as we were expecting more rain. Aside from the shelling, little to report from each of these dives. Oh...beware of wrasse while turning rubble. They'll come up and snag critters from under your nose, including those prize finds. A few were quite pesty.
AUGERS - Terebra undulata? - not sure, unusual in color, more rusty brown than what we are used to seeing. (SN)
CONCHS - Strombus microurceus - many nice ones in sand. (BA, SN, FS); Strombus haemostoma - one live, in sand (SN)
CONES - Conus bullatus - fresh dead and a nice size (SN); Conus episcopus - small but nice, under rubble in sand. (SN)
COSTELLARIDS - Vexillum (Costellaria) cumingii - took one of several, in nice shape (BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) micra - mature, under rubble. (BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) leucozonias - under rubble. (BA, SN)
DOG WHELKS - Nassarius oneratus - a couple gems. (SN)
MITERS - Mitra fusca - several nice ones, in sand. (FS, SN); Neocancilla papilio - in sand. (SN)
OLIVES - Oliva panniculata - several with typical color, two with irregular banding. In sand. (BA, SN)
SUNDIALS - possibly Heliacus dorsuosus? - It's not confirmed species from Guam. Two, in sand, ~45 ft. (FS)
TRITONS - Cymatium bibbeyi - dead, with a hole near on the body whorl (BA)
TURRIDS - Vexitomina regia - one, looked nice (SN)
BITS & PIECES - a piece of a body whorl from what appears to have been a large Fusus sp. (BA); Strombus taurus - something munched on it, very dead and beat up. (BA)
NOTED - Conus striatus - an average specimen, in sand under rubble. (BA); Oliva annulata - a common species, in sand (BA, SN);
Agat Bay - Kevin returned to a favorite spot, fanning sand. He turned up a number of dead finds which included a small lot of Annepona maria, Ipsa childreni, Trochini (Clanculus) granti, a few Erosaria dillwyni, a small Talparia talpa, as well as a number of Terebellum terebellum.
January 14 - Agat Bay
An overcast, rainy day with strong winds from the east and swells from the north. As for shore diving, Agat Bay was the place to be. Steve and I ventured out there in the morning and Fred later into the afternoon. We noticed the surface temp was considerably cooler though, as we kicked out, temperatures were more pleasant...yep, we're spoiled! We continued our ventures in 'underwater beachcombing' and again found many fresh dead shells, many still on the surface. Steve did this mostly, I did more fanning while looking for smaller finds. We both did well:
CONCHS - Strombus wilsonorum - several of many, none very colorful. (BA, SN); Strombus (Lentigo) pipus - a couple subadult specimens (SN)
COSTELLARIDS - Vexillum (Costellaria) amandum - pure white (perhaps faded?), with drill hole (BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) costatum - a couple decent ones (BA, SN); Vexillum (Costellaria) gotoensis - nice condition (SN); Vexillum (Costellaria) cf. obeliscus - several, one was very nice (SN); Vexillum (Costellaria) suluense - several very nice ones (BA, SN);
COWRIES - Erosaria erosa - subfossil, has a nice golden color. (SN); Erosaria labrolineata - a subfossil specimen, Steve has found a number of these. (SN); Erosaria poraria - another subfossil, takes on a yellow color. (SN); Talparia talpa - found a dead one while kicking in, had a little bit of growth, so it was dead for a while. (BA)
DOG WHELKS - Nassarius troendleorum - a nice specimen (SN)
MITERS - Mitra (Nebularia) bernhardina - several, all looked to be in good shape (BA, SN); Swainsonia casta - selected specimens (SN); Pterygia crenulata - two nice ones (SN); Mitra fraga - a couple, one was very large though faded (SN); Neocancilla clathrus - quite a few are turning up, many very nice. (BA, SN); Cancilla (Ziba) fulgetrum - many dead specimens, a number in nice shape (BA, SN); Domiporta granatina - Steve found a nice, large one (small ones keep turning up) (SN); Mitra lugubris - small but decent (BA); Subcancilla interlirata - a large, waveworn specimen. (SN); Domiporta praestantissima - a couple in pretty good shape. (BA, FS); Mitra (Nebularia) tuberosa - an okay specimen.(BA)
TRITONS - Cymatium labiosum - largest I've ever seen from Guam. Very nice! (SN)
BITS & PIECES - Conus magnificus - piece of spire and body whorl. (BA); Nassarius (Alectrion) glans - part of a body whorl. A difficult to find species for Guam. (BA); Mitra ustulata part of a spire (BA); Strombus (Lentigo) pipus - a couple immature specimens. (SN)
NOTED - While snorkeling back to shore: noted a live Erosaria erosa turned upside down over some silty rocks. Something must have been trying to get at it. (BA); Also a large, ugly female Lambis lambis between several rocks (BA), and a large Polinices mammilla buried in silty sand at the end of its track (BA). And finally something that is just plain neat. Steve picked up part of an appendage from what must have been a large mantis shrimp...it has a truly impressive arsenal of spines.
January 8
Orote Cliffs - Fred and I made three dives. The first was at the Blue Hole, a popular destination for tourist. We didn't find any shells though the scenery and fish are great. Way too many divers in the water though. Our second dive was further north, toward the mouth of Apra Harbor at a spot we call Bullatus Bluff. Again, not much luck for finds, it can be that way sometimes. Though I missed it, a large school of barracuda passed by Fred...very cool. Our last dive was near Barracuda Rock and we produced a nice assortment of small finds.
CONCHS - Strombus microurceus - Selected specimens. Two orange ones (FS), a black one (BA)
COSTELLARIDS - Vexillum (Pusia) festum - one, in shallow sand (BA); Vexillum (Pusia) interruptum - one (BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) leucozonias - a couple, nice size. (BA);Vexillum (Costellaria) micra - one, tiny. (BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) modesta - several. (BA, FS); Vexillum (Costellaria) unifasciatum - a couple (BA, FS)
MITERS - Mitra (Nebularia) fulvescens forma telum - one (BA); Mitra (Nebularia) tuberosa - one (BA); Mitra (Nebularia) aurora floridula - one (BA)
TRIPHORIDS - A neglected group though we collect a couple larger specimens that need ID.
TURRIDS - Lienardia roseotincta - one, small, dead (BA); Vexitomina regia - one (FS); Xenoturris kingae - one (BA)
NOTED - a couple very old Strombus taurus (FS)
BITS & PIECES - piece of Palmadusta ziczac (BA)
Agat Bay - Kevin visited his favorite sand pit, noting that the water was murky. Not sure of the reason but we experienced some heavy rain throughout afternoon. It couldn't have helped. Nevertheless, he turned up several dead finds:
COWRIES - Annepona mariae - with good gloss, on sand (KE)
TOP SHELLS - Trochini (Clanculus) granti - nice condition, in sand (KE)
January 7 - Agat Bay ...again :)
Fred and I tied up for two afternoon dives, Steve got an earlier start with two dives as well. Water was calm though a little murky, especially on the surface after an earlier, heavy downpour. We continued to "beachcomb" over the sand, from where we left off last week. (We'll be doing a bit of Show & Tell at our upcoming club meeting. This will allow me to add to the recent finds from these outings. I'm sure I've missed a few!)
CONCHS - Strombus bulla - one in nice condition (SN)
COSTELLARIDS - Vexillum (Costellaria) costatum - a few, fair condition(BA, SN); Vexillum (Costellaria) suluense - a couple, nice color & condition (FS, SN); Vexillum (Costellaria) cf. obeliscus - several, mostly in poor condition (BA, FS, SN); Vexillum (Pusia) semicostata ? - a new species for me, small though nice (BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) leucozonias - two, both large and nice (BA, SN); Vexillum (Costellaria) radix ? - a new species for me. (figured right) (BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) sp. - possibly zelotypum, large, faded. (FS).
DOG WHELKS - Nassarius crematus? - one. (SN)
MITERS - Pterygia fenestrata - two, one drilled (BA, SN), Domiporta praestantissima - just a few, fair specimens (BA, FS, SN); Ziba interlirata - one, fair condition (SN);
TURRIDS - Lophiotoma acuta - nice condition (BA); Xenoturris cingulifera - nice condition (BA, SN); Gemmula monilifera - nice condition (BA); Turris garnonsi - fair condition (SN). (I'm sure Fred (FS) has a few of these Turrid species as well...just not sure which ones in particular.)
January 1 - Agat Bay
Happy New Year! It's still rough along the northwest shores but the surf has subsided along the more protected southwest shores. So, once again, we were in Agat Bay where we found an assortment of dead shells, many in very good condition. All were on top of the sand at approximately 55 ft. Here's a short list of the more interesting species for now...I should have a more complete list soon.
COSTELLARIDS - Vexillum (Costellaria) costatum - a couple (SN); Vexillum (Costellaria) gotoense - one, nice color & condition (BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) leucozonias - large, nice. (BA); Vexillum (Costellaria) lucidum - large, very nice sculpturing. (FS); Vexillum (Costellaria) cf. obeliscus - several (BA, SN); Vexillum (Costellaria) suluense - a couple (BA)
Steve Norby pointed out that the species we've tentatively identifyied as V. (C.) obeliscus (figured right) is very similar to the figured specimen of Vexillum (Costellaria) collinsoni in Mitridae Costellaridae (plate C-6, left specimen from FS collection, Guam). And one of the figured specimens of Vexillum (Costellaria) radix (plate C-14) appears to be the same thing. The figured specimens of Vexillum (Costellaria) obeliscus (plate C-12) do look different.
DOG WHELKS - Nassarius comptus -one. (SN); Nassarius crematus? - one (BA)
MITERS - Domiporta praestantissima - several. (BA); Mitra rubignea - one (BA)
specimens collected by Kevin E from a nearby sandpit, at about 30 ft:
CONES - a large Conus cylindraceus (KE)
COWRIES - Annepona mariae, Ipsa childreni - several of each (KE)
BA - Bob Abela, DB - Doug Brennan, FS - Fred Schroeder, HB - Harry Blalock, JS - Jason Schroeader, KE - Kevin E, SN - Steve Norby