Dentalium neohexagonum
Dentalium neohexagonum is a species of tusk shell, a marine scaphopod mollusk in the family Dentaliidae.[1] As the Latin name implies, the cross section of this shell is hexagonal; hence its common name is six-sided tusk shell.[2]
| Dentalium neohexagonum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Scaphopoda |
| Order: | Dentaliida |
| Family: | Dentaliidae |
| Genus: | Dentalium |
| Species: | D. neohexagonum |
| Binomial name | |
| Dentalium neohexagonum Sharp and Pilsbry, 1897 | |
This species occurs along the central and southern California coast of the Pacific Ocean. The shells of this species are known to have been used by the Chumash people at least as early as circa 1000 AD, in the Morro Bay area.[3] They were used as shell money rather than food.[4]
See also
References
- Turgeon, D.D.; Quinn Jr, J. F.; Bogan, A. E.; Coan, E. V.; Hochberg, F. G.; Lyons, W. G.; et al. (1998). Common and scientific names of aquatic invertebrates from the United States and Canada: Mollusks. American Fisheries Society Special Publication 26 (2nd ed.). Maryland, USA: American Fisheries Society. p. 526. ISBN 978-1-888569-01-8.
- C. Michael Hogan (2008). "Los Osos Back Bay". The Megalithic Portal, ed. Andy Burnham. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- "Dentalium neohexagonum". Aug 22, 1998. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- Heizer, Robert F.; Elsasser, Albert B. (1980). The Natural World of the California Indians. ISBN 9780520038967.
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