Hello all,

We often go to the Philippines and yes of course we get shells with
opercula from other species.  We also get species who normally do not have
an operculum with operculum.  Sometimes small dealers in the Philippinen
cut up opercula of larger species and then use them for smaller species.
The strangest thing we have ever experienced was when we bought a lot of
Epitonium secundum : some Epitoniums had their proper operculum, others had
opercula of Murex cut up to fill the aperture and others had ... plastic
opercula nicely cut to fit the opening.  Yes some people have much time on
their hands.

Kind regards, Rika







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Fernand De Donder & Rika Goethaels
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Specimen shells & books on shells, free lists on request
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