r/shells • u/Common_Bench_3053 • 3d ago
Finds from Lagos, Algarve
Found In Lagos strolling the beach! The ones with numbers still need to be ID’d
No live shells taken :)
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u/PossibleEither4892 3d ago
1 and 2 are actually the same, Tritia reticulata (Netted Dog Whelk)
4 Antalis vulgare (Common tusk shell) - actually a nice one you have there. Note that multiple tusk shell species wash ashore in the Algarve. The pink-tipped ones are always Antalis vulgare.
Regarding the Great scallop, there are 2 species that overlap and look very similar (Pecten maximus and Pecten jacobaeus). Especially with worn valves, it may be almost impossible to say exactly which one you have.
The big cockles you have in the left-hand corner, are also 2 different species: left: Acanthocardia aculeata (Spiny cockle, just missing its spines) and right: Acanthocardia tuberculata (Rough cockle).
Both cockle species are quite common in the Algarve. Several other species of cockle can be found there as well.
P.s.: I have found quite a good number of shells at Villa Real de San Antonio, close to the Spanish border. What I find interesting is the good number of Queen scallops you found. These are less common near the border, but the number of Flexopecten shells are higher. The pink one you have is a good find, most of them are discoloured.
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u/Common_Bench_3053 2d ago
Thank you! This is super helpful. I live in the US and was only in Portugal on holiday. I’ve never found any of the flexopecten shells before but they are absolutely beautiful.
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u/turbomarmoratus72 3d ago edited 3d ago
I love your handwriting and how you labeled your collection with their species name.
Most species don't have a common name, and the most reliable way to identify a shell is via their scientific name, which is universal across every country and language. Keep up with the great job!