Page 2 Vol. 42, No. 4 In 1972, a group of shell collectors saw the need for a national organization devoted to the interests of shell collec- tors; to the beauty of shells, to their scientific aspects, and to the collecting and preservation of mollusks. This was the start of COA. Our member- AMERICAN CONCHOLOGIST, the official publication of the Conchol- ship includes novices, advanced collectors, scientists, and shell dealers ogists of America, Inc., and issued as part of membership dues, is published from around the world. In 1995, COA adopted a conservation resolution: quarterly in March, June, September, and December, printed by JOHNSON Whereas there are an estimated 100,000 species of living mollusks, many PRESS OF AMERICA, INC. (JPA), 800 N. Court St., P.O. Box 592, Pontiac, IL 61764. All correspondence should go to the Editor. ISSN 1072-2440. of great economic, ecological, and cultural importance to humans and Articles in AMERICAN CONCHOLOGIST may be reproduced with whereas habitat destruction and commercial fisheries have had serious ef- proper credit. We solicit comments, letters, and articles of interest to shell fects on mollusk populations worldwide, and whereas modern conchology collectors, subject to editing. Opinions expressed in “signed” articles are continues the tradition of amateur naturalists exploring and documenting those of the authors, and are not necessarily the opinions of Conchologists the natural world, be it resolved that the Conchologists of America endors- of America. All correspondence pertaining to articles published herein es responsible scientific collecting as a means of monitoring the status of or generated by reproduction of said articles should be directed to the Edi- mollusk species and populations and promoting informed decision making tor. in regulatory processes intended to safeguard mollusks and their habitats. MEMBERSHIP is for the calendar year, January-December, late mem- berships are retroactive to January. 2010 DUES: $25; postal surcharge: USA OFFICERS none ($5 additional for USA first class), $5 for Canada and Mexico (total of $30), $15 for all other countries (total of $40). New members apply to President: José Leal Vice President: Harry G. Lee Doris Underwood, Membership Director. Please pay in U.S. dollars ($), or 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road 4132 Ortega Forest Dr. with a check on a U.S. bank with Transit Enrouting and Account Numbers Sanibel, FL 33957-1580 Jacksonville, FL 32210 printed at the bottom, or with money order. 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Make checks Anne Joffe 2559 Puesta del Sol Road (in US dollars on a US bank) payable to Conchologists of America. 1163 Kittiwake Circle Santa Barbara, CA 93105 - USA Sanibel, FL 33957-3605 (805) 682 4711 x152 Member at Large: [email protected] Jim Brunner Member at Large: 2511 Parkwood Drive Debbie Freeman Editor: Advertising Director: Panama City, FL 32405-4444 PO Box 339 Tom Eichhorst Betty Lipe [email protected] Englewood, FL 34295-0339 4528 Quartz Dr. N.E. 11771 96th Place Member at Large: (941) 473-3359 Rio Rancho, NM 87124-4908 Seminole, FL 33772-2235 Doug Wolfe [email protected] (505) 896-0904 [email protected] 109 Shore Dr., Shell Landing [email protected] Beaufort, NC 28516-7861 (252) 728-3501 Staff: Lynn & Richard Scheu COA Webmaster: [email protected] Carlos Henckes EDITORIAL BOARD Visit the COA website: http://conchologistsofamerica.org. Subscribe to Conch-L, the COA listserver (owned and operat- Donald Dan José H. Leal Bruce Neville ed by the University of Georgia) at: [email protected] Emilio Garcia Harry G. Lee G. Thomas Watters John Wolff Instructions for joining Conch-L are on the COA web site. December 2014 American Conchologist Page 3 Editor’s comments: This issue contains the In This Issue inserts for the 2015 COA Convention at Weston, Flo- Editor comments ----------------------------------------------- 3 rida, 14-19 July. You can also find all of the forms you need online at: www.conchologistsofamerica.org. Every SHELL COLLECTING IN CUBA: NOVEMBER 1930 convention is different and each offers something special (part 1) by Paul L. McGinty ---------------------------------- 4 to remember for years to come. Yes, the cost of airfare, hotel, meals, and conference registration would buy a lot Earliest human-modified shells ---------------------------- 15 of shells, but sometimes it is better to trade an interesting time and rich experience for those lumps of calcium (no Dealer Directory ---------------------------------------------- 16 matter how nicely sculptured or colored) to be put in a The noble volute (Cymbiola nobilis) of Vietnam drawer. And if you still have a few bucks to spare, the by Nguyen Ngoc Thach -------------------------------------- 18 COA Bourse is second to none in quantity and quality of shells. Come to Florida! The venue looks to be second The Masters Award trophy - a new design by to none and many of your friends will be there - some Donald Dan ---------------------------------------------------- 21 you have not yet met. We have a special treat in this issue that will A mystery solved by Emilio F. García & carry into the next two issues: an original, unpublished Emily H. Vokes ------------------------------------------------ 22 (until now) article on collecting in Cuba in the 1930s by Paul McGinty. This manuscript was recovered from a In memoriam -------------------------------------------------- 23 museum archive and transcribed by Dick Petit, cleaned up and clarified, where needed, by Drs. Emily Vokes and Heteromorph: The Rarest Fossil Ammonites, Nature at its Most Bizarre by Wolfgang Grulke Emilio García, and is presented here for COA readers. I (book review by Jose Leal) ---------------------------------- 24 hope you enjoy this window into the past. For the rest of the issue we have some amazing Texas Seashells - A Field Guide by John W. Tunnell, Jr., photos of Cymbiola nobilis from Vietnam by Dr. Thach, Noe C. Barrera, & Fabio Moretzsohn a muricid taxonomic mystery by Drs. Emily Vokes and (book review by Tom Eichhorst) --------------------------- 26 Emilio García, three book reviews, two COA Award shell show results, and Donald Dan’s listing of upcoming shell Biogeography and Biodiversity of Western Atlantic shows. The front and back covers are both showcases Mollusks by Edward J. Petuch for the amazing photographic skills of Charles Rawlings (book review by David P. Berschauer --------------------- 27 (not to mention his generous sharing of same with us). British Shell Collector’s Club Convention Finally, I had to hold back a couple of interesting articles 25 October 2014 - Essex ------------------------------------- 28 because of weight concerns with the convention inserts, but they will make the next issue. North Carolina Shell Show 20-21 September 2014 ----- 29 2015 Shell shows & related events by Donald Dan ----- 30 Tom Eichhorst Neptunea Award ---------------------------------------------- 31 Hugh J. Porter: Contributions to Malacology Front Cover: Ceratosotma foliatum (Gme- & the North Carolina Shell Club by lin, 1791), (leafy or foliate hornmouth, leafy Douglas A. Wolfe ---------------------------------------------- 32 murex, leafy thorn purpura), about 65mm in length, night off Catalina Island, California, USA, by Charles Rawlings, 2013. The colors can vary from white, to white with brown stripes, to solid brown, to brown with white “wings.” Back Cover: Neobernaya spadicea (Swainson, 1823), (chestnut cowrie), about 40 & 55mm in length, night off Catalina Island, California, USA, by Charles Rawlings, 2013. The only living species in the genus Liguus fasciatus archeri Clench, 1934, 62mm, Neobernaya and the only cowrie found on the west Pinar del Rio, Cuba. See more on Cuban landsnails coast of the USA. It is often seen with the mantle in the next issue of American Conchologist. retracted. Page 4 American Conchologist Vol. 42, No.