These images are truly extraordinary.

- the shells that don´t fluoresce (the two bivalves from the same set) are
perhaps the most puzzling.
- the image showing the "lost" spots on a fossil cone is also fascinating -
 this should be a great help for identifying fossil cones.

Flowers are known to have different patterns in UV light to guide
pollinating insects who can see in that light range
see:
http://tinyurl.com/tlpyc

Perhaps short wavelength UV light penetrates further down than visible
light.

But I can´t think of any explanation for why so many shells (Conus and
Murex) from deep water have red or orange colouring (as do many deep water
fish)or why cones go to such trouble to make a beautiful pattern and then
cover it up with a periostracum.

regards
Richard

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