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The Foraminifera, ("Hole Bearers") or forams for short, are a large group of amoeboid protists with reticulating pseudopods, fine strands of cytoplasm that branch and merge to form a dynamic net. They typically produce a test, or shell, which can have either one or multiple chambers, some becoming quite elaborate in structure. These shells are made of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) or agglutinated sediment particles. About 275,000 species are recognized, both living and fossil. They are usually less than 1 mm in size, but some are much larger, and the largest recorded specimen reached 19 cm.

Foraminifera

The Foraminifera, ("Hole Bearers") or forams for short, are a large group of amoeboid protists…

An illustration of a young imperforata with shell dissolved and protoplasm so as to show the seven nuclei.

Young Imperforata

An illustration of a young imperforata with shell dissolved and protoplasm so as to show the seven nuclei.

An illustration of a Spirolina, a sculptured imperfectly coiled shell.

Spirolina

An illustration of a Spirolina, a sculptured imperfectly coiled shell.

Haliphysena Tumanvitzii; living specimen showing the wineglass-shaped shell built up of sand-grains and sponge-spicules, and the abundant protoplasm p, issuing from the mouth of the shell and spreading partly over its projecting constituents.

Haliphysena Tumanvitzii

Haliphysena Tumanvitzii; living specimen showing the wineglass-shaped shell built up of sand-grains…

Sea urchins are small, globular, spiny sea creatures, composing most of class Echinoidea. They are found in oceans all over the world. Their shell, or "test", is round and spiny, typically from 3 to 10 cm across. Common colors include black and dull shades of green, olive, brown, purple, and red. They move slowly, feeding mostly on algae. Sea otters, wolf eels, and other predators feed on urchins. Sea urchins are harvested and served as a delicacy.

Sea Urchin

Sea urchins are small, globular, spiny sea creatures, composing most of class Echinoidea. They are found…

"Rocaille coquille, book-plate ornamentation in varying forms of the scallop-shell upon rockwork." -Whitney, 1911

Rocaille Coquille

"Rocaille coquille, book-plate ornamentation in varying forms of the scallop-shell upon rockwork." -Whitney,…

Hermit crabs are decapod crustaceans of the superfamily Paguroidea. They are not closely related to true crabs. Hermit crabs are quite commonly seen in the intertidal zone, for example in tide pools. Most species of hermit crabs have long soft abdomens which are protected from predators by the adaptation of carrying around a salvaged empty seashell, into which the whole crab's body can retract. Most frequently hermit crabs utilize the shells of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks. The tip of the hermit crab's abdomen is adapted to clasp strongly onto the columella of the snail shell. As the hermit crab grows in size, it has to find a larger shell and abandon the previous one.

Hermit Crab

Hermit crabs are decapod crustaceans of the superfamily Paguroidea. They are not closely related to…

An illustration showing the early stages of balanus: A, nauplis (larva); e, Eye; B, Cypris-larva with a bivalve shell just before becoming attached; C, After becoming attached, side views; D, Later state, viewed from above; E, side view, later stage and cirri extended.

Early Stages of Balanus

An illustration showing the early stages of balanus: A, nauplis (larva); e, Eye; B, Cypris-larva with…

"Sarinda. A Hindu viol, which has a body made of a single wooden block, elliptical in general contour, flat in front and arched at the back, which is hollowed out to a shell." -Whitney, 1911

Sarinda

"Sarinda. A Hindu viol, which has a body made of a single wooden block, elliptical in general contour,…

"Shell-work, Hôtel Cluny, Paris. In decorative design, especially carved or modeled, a motive which imitates or is suggested by the forms of shells." -Whitney, 1911

Shell Work

"Shell-work, Hôtel Cluny, Paris. In decorative design, especially carved or modeled, a motive…

It is a slow-growing long-lived tree, hard to transplant because of its long taproot, and subject to insect damage.

Shell-Bark Hickory

It is a slow-growing long-lived tree, hard to transplant because of its long taproot, and subject to…

The Nautilus Shell is a marine creature, it is shown in its natural form. It was usually placed on feet and elegantly mounted in metal, and used as a drinking vessel.

Nautilus Shell

The Nautilus Shell is a marine creature, it is shown in its natural form. It was usually placed on feet…

The Snail Shell was commonly used during the Renaissance as a drinking vessel.

Snail Shell

The Snail Shell was commonly used during the Renaissance as a drinking vessel.

The Exterior Scallop Shell was used as a water basin in the form of a shallow dish and as a decorative background for vases and busts. It was extensively used during the later Renaissance.

Exterior Scallop Shell

The Exterior Scallop Shell was used as a water basin in the form of a shallow dish and as a decorative…

The Interior Scallop Shell was used as a water basin in the form of a shallow dish and as a decorative background for vases and busts. It was extensively used during the later Renaissance.

Interior Scallop Shell

The Interior Scallop Shell was used as a water basin in the form of a shallow dish and as a decorative…

This Scallop Design Shell was a Louis XVI style. It was used on the lower end of a panel.

Scallop Design Shell

This Scallop Design Shell was a Louis XVI style. It was used on the lower end of a panel.

This Scallop Design Shell was designed by sculptor Lehr of Berlin, Germany.

Scallop Design Shell

This Scallop Design Shell was designed by sculptor Lehr of Berlin, Germany.

This Scallop Design Shell was used as a decoration of a niche. A design commonly used during the Late Renaissance.

Scallop Design Shell

This Scallop Design Shell was used as a decoration of a niche. A design commonly used during the Late…

An illustration of a female nautilus without the shell. "m, The dorsal "hood" formed by the enlargement of the outer or annular lobe of the forefoot, and corresponding to the sheaths of two tentacles; n. Tentacular sheaths of lateral portion of the annular lobe; u, The left eye; b, The nuchal plate, continuous at its right and left posterior angles with the root of the mid-foot, and corresponding to the nuchal cartilage of Sepia; c, Visceral hump; d, The free margin of the mantle-skirt,...; g.a, Points to the lateral continuation of the nuchal plate b to join the root of the mid foot of siphon." (Britannica, 1910).

Female Nautilus without Shell

An illustration of a female nautilus without the shell. "m, The dorsal "hood" formed by the enlargement…

An illustration of a female nautilus without the shell. "c, points to the concave margin of the mantle-skirt leading into the sub-pallial chamber; g, the mid-foot or siphon; k, the superficial origin of its retractor muscles closely applied to the shell and serving to hold the animal in tis place; l, the sipjuncular pedicle of the visceral hump broken off short; v,v, the superior and inferior ophthalmic tentacles." (Britannica, 1910)

Female Nautilus without Shell

An illustration of a female nautilus without the shell. "c, points to the concave margin of the mantle-skirt…

An illustration of the postero-ventral view female nautilus without the shell. "a, Muscular band passing from the mid-foot to the integument; b, The valve on the surface of the funnel, partially concealed by the inrolled lateral margin of the latter; c, The mantle-skirt retroverted; an, The median anus; x, Post-anal papilla of unknown significance; g.n., Nidamental gland ; r.ov, Aperture oft he right oviduct; l.ov, Aperture of the rudimentary left oviduct; neph.a, Aperture of the left anterior renal sac; neph.p, Aperture of the left posterior renal sac; viscper, Left aperture of the viscero-pericardial sac; olf, The left osphradium placed near the base of the anterior gill-plume." (Britnnica, 1910)

Female Nautilus without Shell

An illustration of the postero-ventral view female nautilus without the shell. "a, Muscular band passing…

The cephalopods are the mollusk class Cephalopoda characterized by bilateral body symmetry, a prominent head, and a modification of the mollusk foot, a muscular hydrostat, into the form of arms or tentacles. Teuthology, a branch of malacology, is the study of cephalopods. The class contains two extant subclasses. In the Coleoidea, the mollusk shell has been internalized or is absent; this subclass includes the octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish. In the Nautiloidea the shell remains; this subclass includes the nautilus. About 786 distinct living species of cephalopods have been identified. Two important extinct taxa are Ammonoidea, the ammonites, and Belemnoidea, the belemnites Cephalopods are found in all the oceans of Earth, at all depths. None of them can tolerate freshwater, but a few species tolerate more or less brackish water.

Cephalopod

The cephalopods are the mollusk class Cephalopoda characterized by bilateral body symmetry, a prominent…

The Ivory Shell (Eburna spirata) is a gastropod mollusk in the Buccinidae family of true whelks.

Ivory Shell

The Ivory Shell (Eburna spirata) is a gastropod mollusk in the Buccinidae family of true whelks.

A fossil of Echinothuria floris, a species of sea urchin "having the plates of the shell overlapping or movably connected by soft parts." -Whitney, 1911

Urchin Fossil

A fossil of Echinothuria floris, a species of sea urchin "having the plates of the shell overlapping…

A foraminiferal shell or the Miliola type. Note that each new chamber covers all preceding ones. Important limestone builder.

A Foraminiferal Shell

A foraminiferal shell or the Miliola type. Note that each new chamber covers all preceding ones. Important…

Shell of a Nummulite cut transversely and in part horizontally.

Shell of a Nummulite

Shell of a Nummulite cut transversely and in part horizontally.

Fusulina cylindrica, a typical foraminiferal shell forming rocks in the later Paleozoic. A single shell enlarged and partly sectioned to show interior.

Fusulina Cylindrica

Fusulina cylindrica, a typical foraminiferal shell forming rocks in the later Paleozoic. A single shell…

A typical foraminiferal shell shaped more or less like a football in form (diagrammatical view).

Schwagerina Verbecki

A typical foraminiferal shell shaped more or less like a football in form (diagrammatical view).

Hydrozoa (hydrozoans) are a taxonomic class of very small, predatory animals which can be solitary or colonial and which mostly live in saltwater. A few genera within this class live in freshwater. Hydrozoans are related to jellyfish and corals and belong to the phylum Cnidaria.

Hydrozoa Encrusting a Small Shell

Hydrozoa (hydrozoans) are a taxonomic class of very small, predatory animals which can be solitary or…

A characteristic modern Brachiopod of the northern Atlantic coast.

Terebratulina Septentrionalis

A characteristic modern Brachiopod of the northern Atlantic coast.

A Paleozoic brachiopod shell partly broken to show the internal spiral arm-supports. Mississippian limestones. Note the symmetrical character of the shell with reference to a median line drawn through the apex of beak.

Brachiopod

A Paleozoic brachiopod shell partly broken to show the internal spiral arm-supports. Mississippian limestones.…

A common plicated shell of the Atlantic coast.

Arca Transversa

A common plicated shell of the Atlantic coast.

<em>Venus mercenaria</em>, the common quahaug or salt-water clam, about three fourths natural size.

Clam

Venus mercenaria, the common quahaug or salt-water clam, about three fourths natural size.

A modern shell-less pteropod. Called the common clione, naked sea butterfly, and <em>Clione limacina</em>.

Common Clione

A modern shell-less pteropod. Called the common clione, naked sea butterfly, and Clione limacina.

A modern shell-bearing pteropod.

Styliola Vitrea

A modern shell-bearing pteropod.

A modern shell-bearing pteropod.

Cavolina Tridentata

A modern shell-bearing pteropod.

The modern Pearly Nautilus; the animal occupies the living chamber of the sectioned shell.

Chambered Nautilus

The modern Pearly Nautilus; the animal occupies the living chamber of the sectioned shell.

A modern decapod cephalopod with remnant of internal shell only.

European Squid

A modern decapod cephalopod with remnant of internal shell only.

Cuttlefish "bone" or internal shell. The fine point at the base structure represents the guard of the Belemnite.

Cuttlebone

Cuttlefish "bone" or internal shell. The fine point at the base structure represents the guard of the…

Ammonite, side view. Where the shell has been partly worn away near the aperture, the complex "suture line" is shown.

Ammonite

Ammonite, side view. Where the shell has been partly worn away near the aperture, the complex "suture…

A simple straight-shelled cephalopod. Where the shell has been removed, the straight sutures are shown.

Cephalopod

A simple straight-shelled cephalopod. Where the shell has been removed, the straight sutures are shown.

This hermit crab (Eupagurus bernhardus) is in the shell of the northern moon snail (Lunatia heros).

Hermit Crab

This hermit crab (Eupagurus bernhardus) is in the shell of the northern moon snail (Lunatia heros).

An illustration of a oyster shell. The common name oyster is used for a number of different groups of bivalve mollusks, most of which live in marine habitats or brackish water. The shell consists of two usually highly calcified valves which surround a soft body. Gills filter plankton from the water, and strong adductor muscles are used to hold the shell closed.

Oyster Shell

An illustration of a oyster shell. The common name oyster is used for a number of different groups of…

An illustration of a oyster shell. The common name oyster is used for a number of different groups of bivalve mollusks, most of which live in marine habitats or brackish water. The shell consists of two usually highly calcified valves which surround a soft body. Gills filter plankton from the water, and strong adductor muscles are used to hold the shell closed.

Oyster Shell

An illustration of a oyster shell. The common name oyster is used for a number of different groups of…

An illustration of a oyster shell. The common name oyster is used for a number of different groups of bivalve mollusks, most of which live in marine habitats or brackish water. The shell consists of two usually highly calcified valves which surround a soft body. Gills filter plankton from the water, and strong adductor muscles are used to hold the shell closed.

Oyster Shell

An illustration of a oyster shell. The common name oyster is used for a number of different groups of…

The shell of the Tulip Snail (Fasciolaria tulipa), a gastropod in the Fasciolariidae family of tulips and spindles.

Shell of the Tulip Snail

The shell of the Tulip Snail (Fasciolaria tulipa), a gastropod in the Fasciolariidae family of tulips…

The shell of the Fig Shell Snail (Ficula ficus), a sea snail in the Ficidae family.

Fig Shell

The shell of the Fig Shell Snail (Ficula ficus), a sea snail in the Ficidae family.

Cypris, a modern ostracod. Female before sexual maturity, right valve of shell removed to show internal anatomy.

Cypris

Cypris, a modern ostracod. Female before sexual maturity, right valve of shell removed to show internal…

The shell of Fissurella listeri, a species of keyhole limpet, a freshwater snail.

Shell of Keyhole Limpet

The shell of Fissurella listeri, a species of keyhole limpet, a freshwater snail.

Shells of a pelecypod found in the elevated sand beds of northeastern New England, New Brunswick, etc. This species still lives in the modern ocean.

Pelecypod

Shells of a pelecypod found in the elevated sand beds of northeastern New England, New Brunswick, etc.…

"Spindle-shell (Fusus colus). Fusus: a genus of gastropodus mollusks having a fusiform shell with a canaliculated base, an elongated spire, a smooth columella, and the lip not slit." -Whitney, 1911

Spindle Shell

"Spindle-shell (Fusus colus). Fusus: a genus of gastropodus mollusks having a fusiform shell with a…

Galatea reclusa is a species of bivalve mollusk in the Donacidae family of bean clams (wedge shells).

Right Valve of Galatea Bivalve

Galatea reclusa is a species of bivalve mollusk in the Donacidae family of bean clams (wedge shells).

"Dorsal View of Gastrochaena. The ventral view shows the dried mantle with pedal perforation." -Whitney, 1911

Dorsal View of Gastrochaena

"Dorsal View of Gastrochaena. The ventral view shows the dried mantle with pedal perforation." -Whitney,…

"Ventral View of Gastrochaena. The ventral view shows the dried mantle with pedal perforation." -Whitney, 1911

Ventral View of Gastrochaena

"Ventral View of Gastrochaena. The ventral view shows the dried mantle with pedal perforation." -Whitney,…

"Lateral View of Gastrochaena. The ventral view shows the dried mantle with pedal perforation." -Whitney, 1911

Lateral View of Gastrochaena

"Lateral View of Gastrochaena. The ventral view shows the dried mantle with pedal perforation." -Whitney,…

The Lingula prima is a little bivalve shell belonging at the bottom of the class Brachiopoda. The inarticulate brachiopod genus Lingula is the oldest, relatively unchanged animal known. The oldest lingulid fossils are found in Lower Cambrian rocks dating to roughly 550 million years ago. The origin of brachiopods is unknown. A possible ancestor is a sort of ancient "armored slug" known as Halkieria that had small brachiopod-like shields on its head and tail.

Lingula Prima

The Lingula prima is a little bivalve shell belonging at the bottom of the class Brachiopoda. The inarticulate…

The Lingula antigua is a little bivalve shell belonging at the bottom of the class Brachiopoda. The inarticulate brachiopod genus Lingula is the oldest, relatively unchanged animal known. The oldest lingulid fossils are found in Lower Cambrian rocks dating to roughly 550 million years ago. The origin of brachiopods is unknown. A possible ancestor is a sort of ancient "armored slug" known as Halkieria that had small brachiopod-like shields on its head and tail.

Lingula Antigua

The Lingula antigua is a little bivalve shell belonging at the bottom of the class Brachiopoda. The…

Lingula is a genus of brachiopods within the class Lingulata. Lingula is among the few brachiopods surviving today but also known from fossils over 500 million years old. Brachiopods are suspension feeding, marine, benthic lophophorates in two higher species, Inarticulata and Articulata.

Modern Lingula

Lingula is a genus of brachiopods within the class Lingulata. Lingula is among the few brachiopods surviving…

The argonauts (genus Argonauta, the only extant genus in the Argonautidae family) are a group of pelagic octopuses. They are also called paper nautiluses, referring to the paper-thin eggcase that females secrete. This structure lacks the gas-filled chambers present in chambered nautilus shells and is not a true cephalopod shell, but rather an evolutionary innovation unique to the genus Argonauta. Female argonauts produce a laterally-compressed calcareous eggcase in which they reside.

Paper Nautilus Octopuses

The argonauts (genus Argonauta, the only extant genus in the Argonautidae family) are a group of pelagic…

The argonauts (genus Argonauta, the only extant genus in the Argonautidae family) are a group of pelagic octopuses. They are also called paper nautiluses, referring to the paper-thin eggcase that females secrete. This structure lacks the gas-filled chambers present in chambered nautilus shells and is not a true cephalopod shell, but rather an evolutionary innovation unique to the genus Argonauta. Argonauts use tentacles to grab prey and drag it toward the mouth.

Paper Nautilus Octopuses

The argonauts (genus Argonauta, the only extant genus in the Argonautidae family) are a group of pelagic…