jrbaja - 10-25-2004 at 10:03 AM
This ones from the La Paz area as well. Anybody know what it is?
jrbaja - 10-25-2004 at 10:15 AM
jrbaja - 10-25-2004 at 10:16 AM
David K - 10-25-2004 at 11:48 PM
Isn't that coral?
Could be...
Jack Swords - 10-26-2004 at 07:12 AM
I suspect David is correct. The shell appears to be a mollusk, snail, which is covered with a colony of coral. It was probably inhabited by a hermit
crab which wandered around leaving no opportunity for the coral colony to attach to something else. Looking closely you should be able to see where
each individual coral animal lived making up the colony. Nice specimen!
Staghorn hermit crab
Jack Swords - 10-26-2004 at 07:18 AM
Included in this site is a photo/description of JR's shell.
http://eebweb.arizona.edu/marine/gulf_ca/Invert.htm
This one includes bilateral symmetry of the coral growth (also some other great photos from SOC).
http://marinelifephoto.com/cortez1.htm
[Edited on 26-10-2004 by Jack Swords]
Taco de Baja - 10-26-2004 at 07:24 AM
I agree with Jack that it is a gastropod or snail.
However the spines are too symmetrical to be coral and are probably ornamentation.. Note they are all along the planar axis of the shell except for
the two on the side that BOTH thicker and curve. A random growth of coral probably would not produce such symmetry...and bilateral-symmetry to boot.
But as to what the name of it is, no idea......
Not a shell
jrbaja - 10-26-2004 at 10:20 AM
but one of my favorite finds. Sorry to those who have seen this one before.
jrbaja - 10-26-2004 at 10:22 AM
what the heck it it??
Taco de Baja - 10-26-2004 at 11:53 AM
Sea Snake??
Fish???
From outer space???
the "San Felipe Monster"?
synch - 10-26-2004 at 12:22 PM
Coyote or seal?
Moray eel x1 1/4
jrbaja - 10-26-2004 at 12:42 PM
That is a Moray eel with the jawbone of another Moray attached at the neck.
This was one hell of a fight to the death with no winners !
synch - 10-28-2004 at 12:31 PM
The "furry" looking tail fooled me.
I've seen many Morays while diving but can't think of a predator that goes for them...
I think one was
jrbaja - 10-28-2004 at 01:01 PM
a democrat and the other republican. See what happens !!!!!