Auckland Shell Club

February Meeting
Heather showed photos of her travels in the South Island, including some of her favourite fossil locations. One location showed many large round flattened rocks that Jack Grant-Mackie surmised may be concretions. It seems that Heather has a penchant for finding very peculiar rocks.
On one of her recent visits to Coopers Beach she and Margaret attempted to locate the source of the mysterious "Coopers Beach" rocks. Unfortunately they did not achieve their goal, and experts are still puzzling over the origin of these strange objects.
Heather also showed photos of some of her favourite shell collecting locations in the far north.

Many items of interest were on display.
Margaret Morley brought in a very life-like model of Pleurobrancha maculata (the toxic sea slug) that she had made from clay and painted. It was set in a small display that included information about its habitat, its favourite food (the asian date mussel Musculista senhousenia), and of course, its dangers!
Margaret also brought in ...
. Two live Nassarius burchardi that have been happily living in her aquarium for about a year.
. A tiny mystery shell from the Manukau Harbour. We can't even decide if it's a gastropod or half a bivalve!
. Shells collected by Bruce Hayward from Chile and the southernmost point of South America.

Heather brought in some spectacular Shell Show displays, fossils from north Canterbury, and shells from Rarawa and Karikari beach.
Also, just for something a little different - the largest white tailed spider (deceased) that we had ever seen.

Martin brought in an interesting tray of worldwide Nassarius.

Next Meeting
Epsom Community Centre, 202 Gillies Avenue, Epsom at 7:30pm on Tuesday 8th of March (doors open at 7pm)

For starters we will hear from Heather, Margaret, and Doug about the recent Shell Show in Wellington.
Then after the items of interest, Peter will speak about NZ Buccinidae - a very difficult family.
Please bring in your NZ Buccinidae, especially the specimens that you are having trouble identifying.

As always there will be a large assortment of shells for sale. Bring any shells that you might like to sell.

Committee Meeting
Committee Members are invited to a committee meeting before the main meeting, starting at 6:30.
It's been some time since we had our last committee meeting, so there is much up for discussion.

Subscriptions
These are now due.
Please contact our Treasurer Luen Jones on (09) 834 5195 if you have any queries.

Poirieria Magazine
We would welcome contributions to our club magazine "Poirieria".
Please think about what you could provide. Anything related to shells or collecting would be greatly appreciated - Eg. shelling trips/finds, personal observations/tips, scientific research, historic anecdotes, a notable washup, etc.
Please email to Peter Poortman at petermwp@gmail.com, or post to 26 Pendlebury Street, Green Bay, Waitakere 0604.
Contact Patricia Langford on (09) 479 6149 if you have any queries.

Club Library
We have an extensive collection of books, magazines, and scientific publications available, as well as a biological microscope.

Other Club News
. Peter Clarkson, a professional abalone diver and Zoila collector from South Australia, was killed recently in an encounter with several Great White sharks. Peter was often on the lookout for shells for collectors, and was attacked while diving commercially off Adelaide.

. Margaret Morley would appreciate if members who have Botula spp. mussels could bring them to a club meeting. A mystery shell has been found in NZ some comparisions would be helpful.

. Items of interest for the monthly newsletter are always welcome - email to petermwp@gmail.com, or post to 26 Pendlebury Street, Green Bay, Auckland 0604.

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