Dear Jim,
 
When Tom Waller examined the holotype of circularis Reeve, 1853, in the
British Museum, he dicovered that it was actually a specimen of gibbus.
In light of this, the eastern Pacific species we've all come to know as
circularis reverted to ventricosus, an earlier name assigned by Sowerby
in 1842.
 
As for the availability, the problem of obtaining premium specimens of
ventricosus is the same as with other commercially fished species.
Single valves are available by the metric ton, but finding good specimens
in pairs that haven't been damaged by the fisherman's knife can be
difficult. In order to get a good supply of specimens, the dealer almost
has to be there when the boats come in...or go diving in the scallop
beds. It's extremely difficult to communicate to the fisherman in Baja
exactly what it is you want and why.  Even when it appears they
understand and agree to save specimens for you, when the time comes, it
just isn't important enough to them to follow through. They want to sell
shells by the kilo, not by the piece. If you tell them you want the best
colors, you get whatever they bring, regardless of color or condition. If
you stress best condition, you may get good condition, but not premium
colors. For the most part, they simply aren't interested in supplying
specimens...there's no real money in it. Any outstanding colors or
patterns which happen to reach Southern California usually stay here in
someone's private collection. (At least, that's true of what goes through
my hands.) I'm sure that's true of other species from other areas, as
well.  The best of what's available never leaves the area.
Mega-dealers here, like Don Pisor and Joe Bibbey, buy enormous
quantities of ventricosus, mostly halves for the commercial market. As
soon as word of a new shipment get's around, collectors here descend on
their warehouses and grab up the best specimens (if there are any), for
their own collections and for trade with other collectors.  For the most
part, the only time premium specimens show up elsewhere is when dealers
sell to other dealers to sell at COA or other shows...and for the
occasional mail order list.
 
I'm sure some of the major dealers in Florida still have connections with
Mexican suppliers and get good specimens of ventricosus now and then. You
might try Al Deynzer of Larry Strange.
 
I received some outstanding specimens of Pecten maxima and opercularis
from a friend, but the only way he was able to get them was to acually go
to the scallop fishery and 'rescue' the specimens before 'shucking'. The
same goes for ventricosus...you have to be there at the right time.
 
It's as difficult (maybe even more difficult) for me to get premium
specimens of gibbus as it is for Florida collectors to get ventricosus,
so if you know anyone who's up for a trade, I'd like to know about it.
 
Best Regards,
 
Kim Hutsell
San Diego
 
Jim Miller wrote:
>
> Dear all,
>
> Let's talk about some shells. Specifically, a species of Pecten: Argopecten
> circularis, now called (just to confuse me) ventricosus. First of all,
> anyone know why the name change? Or why nodosus is now fragosus?
>
> Any way, all my books say A. ventricosus is common, even abundant. So how
> come it's so darned hard to get colorful specimens? When I was in Baja last
> year, they were at the airport in big baskets: Oranges mainly, but some
> purples and yellows and even a few that looked nearly red. I thought, well,
> why add to my luggage, I'll get some in the states.
>
> Well, I did get some specimens (some nice ones), but they were almost all
> the light to dark pink, some with an almost black (more a dark gray) top
> (though I got a nice orange one and a mottled purple one as part of a trade
> with one of the really nice people out there who are dealers -- he knows
> who he is). Are dealers just not stocking them because they feel they are
> too common? Or are they indeed hard to get out of Mexico and other Central
> American countries. Or is it lack of interest from buyers?
>
> Same with Argopecten purpuratus. I've seen absolutely stunning singles at
> the "gift shop"-style shell shops (some of the valves are huge! I'd say at
> least 5 inches!), but have yet to see any dealer with more than one or two
> 50-60mm specimens. Here's another locally abundant shell that's hard to
> find.
>
> Anyone out there know why this is? I do know that when I go back to Baja,
> I'm heading for the big baskets of ventricosus right away!
>
> Just thought I'd throw this open for discussion if anyone wants to give it
> a go. Or feel free to ignore this, particularly since it's so darn late any
> way (1:10 AM by my clock).
>
> Again, thanks all for past feedback, advice, information and just plain for
> being so nice to me. Being on Conch-L is sort of like having Christmas all
> year.
>
> Best regards,
> Jim
>
> Jim Miller
> Tallahassee, Florida
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