Oliva sayana Ravenel, 1834 Lettered Olive

    Here in northeast Florida Lettered Olives grow to a respectable size and specimens over 70 mm. in length are not uncommon (an 83 mm. monster was found following a beach renourishment project during August, 1994). Interestingly, the composition of the beach sand significantly affects the quality of the shells found, regardless of size. Those specimens found north of the St. Johns River Jetties (and area where the prevailing nearshore currents are depositing sand) are dull, scratched, and have little gloss except in the aperture area such as the specimen illustrated below. Those specimens found found south of the jetties, a mere several hundred yards distant, have the normal bright gloss which characterizes the species. Local specimens living in muddy substrate north of the river jetties have the usual glossy shell but are subject to severe "etching" from chemicals in the mud. See: Oliva sayana Mud Colony Specimens

Buried in sand, Huguenot Memorial Park, Duval Co., Florida, January, 2005