Image of Sinistrofulgur pulleyi (Hollister 1958)

Description:

Two of four species of whelks found in Texas. The one on the left is the Lightning Whelk, Busycon pulleyi (the Texas State Shell), and the one on the right is the Pearwhelk, Busycotypus spiratus. The Lightning Whelk has a sinistral or left-handed shell, while the other has the more typical right-handed shell. Both species are found in bays, but live specimens are less common than crabbed shells. One photo shows the eggs mass of the Lightning Whelk, which like its shell, coils in counter-clockwise direction (going from the oldest part toward the aperture/widest part of the egg mass strand). See more photos and a discussion on the taxonomy of the Lightning Whelk in the Encyclopedia of Texas Seashells.