Nerita peloronta Linnaeus, 1758

Identification (key distinguishing characters)

You can never misidentify N. peloronta. Usually one, but sometimes two (see Jaxshells) "bloodied teeth" on the columella is a characteristic unique to N. peloronta.


Color variations

N. peloronta is the most variable of the American Nerita as to colors and patterns

These are among the most common color forms. The larger one (43 mm) is from North Riding Rocks, Bimini, Bahamas. The other (24 mm) is from the ocean side of Key Largo, Florida Keys. Image by Marlo Krisberg.


Uncommon black and yellow/white. Not unlike many N. fulgurans. On Coquina rock just north Jupiter Inlet, Martin County, FL. 28 mm. Image by Marlo Krisberg.


Rare all yellow. Palm Beach Inlet jetty, Palm Beach County, FL. 20 mm. Image by Marlo Krisberg.

Not uncommon rich colors. Spoil island ocean side Key Largo, Florida Keys. 26 mm. Images by Marlo Krisberg.
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Another unique specimen. One of my favorites. Palm Beach Inlet jetty, Palm Beach County, FL. 16 mm. Images by Marlo Krisberg.
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Solid and near solid colors are rare. Boca Chica Key, Florida Keys. 27 mm. Images by Marlo Krisberg.
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Black tiger strip. Table Top Key, Florida Keys. 31 mm. Image by Marlo Krisberg.


Red tiger stripe. Port Canaveral, Brevard County, Florida. 30 mm. Image by Marlo Krisberg.

The following series is of different color variations of the not uncommon pattern of alternating colored spiral bands.

Cape Florida, Key Biscayne, Dade County, FL. 27 mm. Image by Marlo Krisberg.


Blowing Rocks, Palm Beach County, Florida. 28.5 mm. Images by Marlo Krisberg.
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Port Canaveral, Brevard County, Florida. 19 mm. Image by Marlo Krisberg.

Bermuda. Image by Tom Eichhorst.


On Coquina rock just north Jupiter Inlet, Martin County, FL. 30 mm. Images by Marlo Krisberg.
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And, a repeat because it's my favorite. Palm Beach Inlet jetty, Palm Beach County, FL. 16 mm. Image by Marlo Krisberg.

Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas. Image by Tom Eichhorst.


Venezuela. Image by Tom Eichhorst.

Marlo,

in adding to this post of photos concerning N. peloronta, here is a wonderful specimen I collected some time ago near Bahia S.P. , Florida Keys, 24mm, striking yellow and black patterning with red checks.

and a photo of the ventrum ( sans operc )

On 5/2/2008 David Herman wrote:

Hi,
On a recent trip to St. Croix I took photos of many Nerita Peloronta. Some did not look like the usual examples. The apex is elongated away from the body with a sharp point. The body itself is extremely ribbed, almost pumpkin like. Has anybody seen these? What are they?

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Marlo wrote:

Look very worn from being in a pounding environment to me. Were they in an environment subject to a lot of pounding waves?

David replied: The shells were found on the windward side. The juvenile and mature shells seemed to be the same, while there were other pelorontas of the usual type.

Tom Eichhorst commented:

Hey David,

I agree with Marlo that they look "wave worn," but they are also definitely sport, or freaks, or whatever. I have seen a similar high spire in a Nerita plicata. In any case, interesting looking shells, but still N. peloronta.