>While going through some dredging we had from approximately 45 Fathoms off
>Venice, FL I found a small murex which looks similar to the cabritti but is a
>beautiful shade of yellow.  My resource library is rather sparce at this time
>(We're building it slowly).  I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on what
>this might be and the best source for trying to find documentation on it.
>
>Thanks in advance for any assist you can give!
>
>Em Sower
>[log in to unmask]
>
>
 
Without seeing it, an ID is difficult. Haustellum rubidus may be yellow, and
is small and occurs off Florida. Haustellum bellegladeensis is another
possibility - neither are as spiny as cabriti, which is often pink. Both
have only one or two spines on the siphonal canal, and only 2 or 3 ribs
between the varices. Cabriti has four or more ribs between the varices and
numerous spines on the canal, like a true Murex. Bellegladeensis has a
larger, more expanded varix than rubidus. Haustellum anniae is another
possibility, but I don't know if they come in yellow. Like rubidus and
bellegladeensis, but spinier, more delicate, but also with 2 or 3 ribs
between varices. An excellent reference is:
 
Vokes, E.H. 1990. Cenozoic Muricidae of the western Atlantic region. Part
VIII - Murex s.s., Haustellum, Cichoreus, and Hexaplex; additions and
corrections. Tulane Studies in Geology and Paleontology 23: 1-96.
 
*  G Thomas Watters               *
*  Ohio Biological Survey &       *
*  Aquatic Ecology Laboratory     *
*  Ohio State University          *
*  1315 Kinnear Rd.               *
*  Columbus, OH 43212 USA         *
*  v:614-292-6170 f:614-292-0181  *
 
"The world is my oyster, except for months with an "R" in them" - Firesign
Theater
"A paranoid is a man who knows a little of what's going on" - William Burroughs