Eastern Baler
NameEastern Baler
Scientific NameMelo amphora
Common NameEastern Baler
FamilyVolutidae
GenusMelo
Speciesamphora
Geographic DistributionIndo-Pacific, including Northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Average Size (mm)200-500
Identifying FeaturesVery large size, distinctive pear-shaped body, wide aperture with a prominent and often brightly colored (orange) interior, low spire, and several strong columellar folds. The shell's robust and heavy build is also characteristic.
Raritycommon
Author Citation(Lightfoot, 1786)
Description
A large, heavy marine gastropod shell, commonly known as the Eastern Baler, characterized by its ovate to pear shape, wide aperture, and relatively low spire. The exterior is often dull and can be covered in marine growth or periostracum, while the interior is typically glossy and brightly colored, often orange. The specimen in the image displays a grayish, somewhat eroded exterior and a vibrant orange interior, resting on a sandy substrate with marine vegetation, consistent with its natural habitat.
