Those look like a species of Hippoporidra, a bryozoan colony that builds its
structure on a small gastropod shell.  The shell is often then inhabited by
a hermit crab.

Tom E.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
> Behalf Of Wiggers
> Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 1:15 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Mystery item
>
>
> That seems to be a sponge (phylum Porifera), but i don´t know
> it.
>
> Wiggers,
> from sunny Brazil
>
>
>  --- Avril <[log in to unmask]> escreveu:
> > Hello Conchlers,
> >
> > We have another mystery item.  Ron of Washington State found
> > these odd items
> > in a bunch of dredged shells in Amuay, Paraguana Peninsula,
> > Venezuela last
> > month.
> >
> > I have set up an ID page for him at:
> >
> http://www.manandmollusc.net/Mystery_shell_pages/ron1-mystery.html
> >
> > You can answer him in person at:  mailto:[log in to unmask]
> >
> > Thank you for everyone who has replied to Faylas' mystery
> > snail/ fungi case
> > and thanks in advance for any and all help in helping on this
> > new mystery.
> >
> > All the best,
> > Avril Bourquin
> > Avril Bourquin
> > PO Box 366
> > Invermere, BC
> > Canada, V0A 1K0
> >
> > Phone/Fax:  (250) 342-7224
> > Cell Phone:  (250) 341-5189
> > Email: [log in to unmask]
> > URL:   http://www.manandmollusc.net
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
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