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Three Marsenina stearnsi (Stearn's Ear Shell) were found in the shallow intertidal zone on a rock face nowhere near the compound tunicate they feed on. Rather than being camouflaged and difficult to see, they stood out. They were also larger than has been noted by previous observers, being slightly over 1 inch (2.5 cm). I thought this was a sea slug at first, but noticed that tiny barnacles were living on the back of one, suggesting a shell was present beneath its white, pored mantle.
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Three Marsenina stearnsi (Stearn's Ear Shell) were found in the shallow intertidal zone on a rock face nowhere near the compound tunicate they feed on. Rather than being camouflaged and difficult to see, they stood out. They were also larger than has been noted by previous observers, being slightly over 1 inch (2.5 cm). I thought this was a sea slug at first, but noticed that tiny barnacles were living on the back of one, suggesting a shell was present beneath its white, pored mantle.
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Three Marsenina stearnsi (Stearn's Ear Shell) were found in the shallow intertidal zone on a rock face nowhere near the compound tunicate they feed on. Rather than being camouflaged and difficult to see, they stood out. They were also larger than has been noted by previous observers, being slightly over 1 inch (2.5 cm). I thought this was a sea slug at first, but noticed that tiny barnacles were living on the back of one, suggesting a shell was present beneath its white, pored mantle.
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Three Marsenina stearnsi (Stearn's Ear Shell) were found in the shallow intertidal zone on a rock face nowhere near the compound tunicate they feed on. Rather than being camouflaged and difficult to see, they stood out. They were also larger than has been noted by previous observers, being slightly over 1 inch (2.5 cm). I thought this was a sea slug at first, but noticed that tiny barnacles were living on the back of one, suggesting a shell was present beneath its white, pored mantle.
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Subtidal. Pulled up on settling plates and associated lines in the harbor, while surveying for tunicates.
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Subtidal. Pulled up on settling plates and associated lines in the harbor, while surveying for tunicates.
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San Diego County, California, US When I first found this shell I thought it was a baby (small) Chestnut Cowrie. But looking at it magnified I can see the difference.
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San Diego County, California, US When I first found this shell I thought it was a baby (small) Chestnut Cowrie. But looking at it magnified I can see the difference.
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San Diego County, California, US When I first found this shell I thought it was a baby (small) Chestnut Cowrie. But looking at it magnified I can see the difference.
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Empty shell found washed up along the beach's high tide line.