Melo Melo aethiopica(Gray,in Griffin & Pidgeon)MA/E5.53

Melo melo aethiopica

Family Volutidae

A massive specimen, measuring 11.5" and a width including aperture of 8.5" (300mm x 225mm) respectively.

A heavy shell, weighing 1.3KG, globose, with a low spire and a smooth, mammillate protoconch;

body whorl large, with an elongate-ovate aperture,

a thin, but strong arcuate outer lip, a wide, shallow siphonal notch and a heavy fasciolar ridge;

sculptured with a shoulder row of numerous short, open, slightly curved spines; colour pale creamy brown, with a middle band in white brown, aperture soft, light orange to lighter banding.

Found in the Philippines, but due to over fishing specimen like this size are becoming hard to come by.

Picked up from Tayabas Bay, Quezon.