Tag Archives: shells of Okinawa

The Fire Beneath The East China Sea

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What a fantastic surprise! This month we received the paratype of Calliostoma shawni ( Poppe & Tagarao, 2020), A beautiful species found in the waters of Okinawa. This rare species is named after naturalist and underwater photographer Shawn Miller for his continued support of malacological research.

Calliostoma shawni
Calliostoma shawni

Calliostoma shawni is found at night feeding on fire coral (Millepora sp).

Calliostoma shawni
Calliostoma shawni

The average size of this beauty is 7mm-13mm.

Calliostoma shawni
Calliostoma shawni

During the day, it hides in the tiny crevices of the fire coral.

Calliostoma shawni
Calliostoma shawni

Interested in seeing this species in its natural habitat? Let me know, and I can show you.

If you would like to learn more about this species, check out Visaya Vol 5 Nov 4 -September 2020


Do you like seashells? Learn more about the gastropods of Okinawa @ okinawanaturephotography.com/seashells-of-okinawa/

Have a wonderful day!

Cowrie Shell Eating Octopuses of Okinawa

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In 2010, a friend sent me some beautiful cowrie shells from Hawaii. I noticed that a few specimens had tiny pin holes between the teeth on the underside of the cowrie shell.  I asked him what caused this and he stated an octopus. So I decided to test this, I collected a small octopus and placed it in aquarium with no other marine life in the tank. 5518026347_afbd22a0ed_b(1) I placed only live cowrie shells in the tank to see if this octopus would eat the mollusks.  I was completely surprised to find out that he was 100% correct. IMG_7293 IMG_7227The tiny drill holes are difficult to see without a magnifying glass. IMG_7232 Strangely, two of the cowrie shells had a drill hole on the top and another on the bottom side. The other eight specimens only had one drill hole on the bottom side. Is it possible that the octopus learned a new behavior?  Did it it figure out the most efficient way after the two previous attempts? FotoJetAll octopuses have a two-part beak used to immobilize and feed on their prey. The beak looks fragile but it one of the toughest and most durable substances made by marine animals.
Cephalopod Beak

Cephalopod Beak

My curiosity led me to the questions below Why does the octopus have to drill a hole when there is already a large aperture to feed from?  Does the octopus use venom to paralyze the mollusk inside the shell after it drills the hole? If so, does the venom narcotize the mollusk which could allow the octopus to suck out the animal from the shell aperture like a shotgunning effect? IMG_7296 Have you ever wondered how the Okinawans catch small octopuses?  Below is a colorful handmade lure made from cone shells and beads.  I found it years ago at Awase flats. IMG_7288 My Mission: To Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for Future Generations

If you would like to help me make a difference Please check out my Patreon Site https://www.patreon.com/MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature

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