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Murex


Murex
Photo Information
Copyright: Siegfried Potrykus (siggi) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1630 W: 59 N: 5613] (19396)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-04
Categories: Molluscs
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-04-12 12:09
Viewed: 746
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Murex is a genus of medium to large sized predatory tropical sea snails. These are carnivorous marine gastropod molluscs in the family Muricidae, the murexes or rock snails.
The common name "murex" is also used for a large number of species in the family Muricidae, most of which in the past were originally given the Latin generic name Murex, but most of which have now been grouped in other newer genera.
The word murex was used by Aristotle in reference to these kinds of snails, thus Murex is arguably one of the oldest classical shell names still in use by the scientific community.
Distribution
Murex is an Indo-Pacific genus, as demonstrated by Ponder & Vokes (1988). The species from the western Atlantic, which were formerly considered as Murex, are now placed in the genus Haustellum.
Habitat
Most Murex species live in the intertidal or shallow subtidal zone, among rocks and corals.
Shell description
This genus includes many showy members, their elongate shells highly sculptured with spines or fronds. The inner surfaces of their ornate shells are often brightly coloured.
Human use
Costly and labor-intensive dyes Tyrian purple (or royal purple) and Tekhelet were historically made by the ancient phoenicians using mucous from the hypobranchial gland of two species commonly referred to as "murex", Murex brandaris and Murex trunculus, which are the older names for Haustellum brandaris and the Hexaplex trunculus.
This dye was used in royal robes, other kinds of special ceremonial or ritual garments, or garments indicating high rank. It featured prominently in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, the clothing of the High Priest (or Kohen Gadol) officiating there; it is sometimes still used by Jews today in the ritual fringes (tzitzit) on four-cornered garments.
bahadir, maurydv, boreocypriensis, roges, matatur, jaycee has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3120 W: 34 N: 9199] (34122)
  • [2009-04-12 12:12]

Hi Siegfried. A nice set of pictures of this beautiful shell. which you have taken with fine detail and natural colours. I like the pick colours in the shell. well ldone TFS.
Nick..

hello Siegfried
great collage
super details and sharpness
beautiful colours
greeting lou

Hello Siegfried, wonderful colage of this Murex shell from different ways.
TFS and regards,
Bahadır

Hello Siegfried,
another splendid collage of Murex, fine detail and very beautiful colours, very well done.
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

Hi MF Siggi, a fine collage of this sea shell from different POVs. Each one is perfectly taken and composed.
TFS and happy Easter MF!
Cheers,
Bayram

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 829 W: 0 N: 935] (4562)
  • [2009-04-12 13:52]

Hallo Siggi !

Schöne und interessante Collage.
Frohe Ostern wünsche ich Ihnen und Ihrer Familie.
Ein schöner Abend,
Adrian

Glad to see you are back to this "Murex" shell Siegfried, a beautiful Chicoreus ramosus specimen finely displayed from different aspects. TFS indeed my friend!
Cheers,
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2204 W: 8 N: 6094] (21500)
  • [2009-04-12 15:41]

Hi Siggi,beautiful work,all the differents pov possible for this very interesting shell...my best compliments for the too quality of sharpness and colors,have a nice week,luciano

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2683 W: 11 N: 7301] (23103)
  • [2009-04-12 15:55]

Hi Siggi,

Four wonderful views of these sea snails. Each shot is excellent with fine details and lovely colors. Fascinating shapes and patterns - I can birds and animals in all of them. They are greatly enhanced by the black background.

Jane

Ciao Siggi, great collage with beautiful murex, splendid details and wonderful sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 826 W: 24 N: 2203] (8499)
  • [2009-04-13 1:31]

Hello Siegfried
Nice shot. Well done.
Regards
Razvan

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