From the Glass Cabinet

Congratulations, Steve! You are the proud new owner of some invert "art" for guessing horse shoe crab on the last "From the Glass Cabinet". Those pointy bits were the spines on its opisthosoma (back portion including floppy part of carapace). Here is a photo of the lovely little Limulus polyphemus sans telson (pointy tail).


Photo copyright 2010 by Heather Stoker

Here is the newest addition to the glass cabinet:
photo copyright 2010 by Heather Stoker

This slipper lobster specimen is only about 2" (5cm) long. The uropods are missing so no pretty tail fan, but otherwise a really nice little molt. This is one of the Scyllarus genus- not sure of the species but would guess Scyllarus americanus. (From scientific dredge offshore North Carolina.) Quite a cute little bugger. For those not familiar with the slipper lobster, those flat projections on the front of the "face" are flattened antennae used for shoveling through sediment. (See "Whadaya Wanna Know" post from February for more about slipper lobsters.)

In addition to collecting invertebrate shells, parts, egg cases, claws, exoskeletons, etc. I have now starting picking up other items that depict images of marine invertebrates including some very beautiful stamps from around the world. I can't help it. It's a sickness, I know, and when I die my family will just shake their collective head and say "What the hell are we supposed to do with all this stuff? I think she was crazy!" Anyway, here are a couple of those stamps now. You'll understand why I had to buy them if you are as big a nerd as me.






Who among you could resist nudibranch stamps that only cost about 40cents? Or a paper nautilus poofing his syphon? And the fabulous and curious hermit? Anyone? Anyone?