Spondylus (Eleutherospondylus) regiuss Linne 1758

Spondylus (Eleutherospondylus) regius

Family Spondylidae

This is what I call 'the Queen' of all the spondyliae family.

Shell large, roundly ovate in outline; sculptured with large, widely spaced primary radial ridges bearing 4 to 7 long, thick, partially closed spines, whose size increase towards the ventral lmargin; note that one of these spines, rather freakly, is twisted to a 90 degree deformation.  (see picture)

Between the major ribs are numerous weaker ribs and riblets all bearing short, sharp spines, upper and lower valves equally inflated; colour variable; this has the rare colour of orange-brown which only happens occassionally.

Interior pure white, the margin finely crenulate and coloured the same as the exterior; measures 6.5" x 8.25" (165mm x 210mm) spinke to spike.

This sspecimen is found in very small quantities in Palawan and Sulu Sea.