Crown Conch

Melongena corona

Also known as king's crown, this shell is very plentiful in Southwest Florida. It is not a beach shell, however, as it is found on mud flats near mangrove roots and oyster beds. In fact, it feeds on oysters. This spe­cies is usually covered with mud and slime when found alive, and its striking colors are not visible without extensive cleaning. The shell is found by looking for the "crown" of spines protruding from the mud. These spines give the shell its name.

All of the shells pictured here, and many more, can be found just across the cause­way from Sanibel. Look near the mangrove roots at low tide approximately one-half mile east of the toll bridge. Although the shells are covered with mud and slime, by looking at the colors and patterns on the underside of the shell, near the aperture, you can determine which specimens are best after they are cleaned.

The crown conch exhibits beautiful banding patterns that feature black and white, with traces of brown.

Fig. 66 shows the typical black and white form without any brown coloration. This shell is shown ventrally to illustrate the fact that the inside of the aperture carries forward the pattern of the dorsal side.

Fig. 67 shows the form that is brown dominant, rather than black. These shells typically feature more white coloration than others.

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