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FS365 Miocene Mitre Shell

1.8 cm. Long x 0.7 cm. Wide x 0.7 cm. High

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Classification: Metazoa, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Neogastropoda, Mitridae, Mitra (Tiara), mitrodita

Description: Fossil "mitre shell" from 18MYA Chipola Formation deposits. Found in gray clay/sand banks of Tenmile Creek. Named after its resemblance to the hat worn by bishops and other clergy. The operculum shown with it in the photograph was included since it was found adhered by matrix near the aperture. It's likely just coincidence, but I like to think they belong together.

Age: Miocene Epoch

Location Found: United States, Florida, Tenmile Creek near Clarksville, FL

Found by: Kathy Patterson

Custodian: fossilweb

Identified by: Ed DeRouin

References: The Molluscan Fauna of the Alum Bluff Group of Florida, Part VI, pp. 408-409 and Plate XLVIII.