Conchology Section, Auckland Museum Institute

Conchology Section, Auckland Museum Institute

CSAMI is a private club which is closely associated with the Auckland Museum. Our interests are in all things molluscan, ie: shell collecting (recent and fossil), conchology and malacology (study of shells and shellfish), and molluscan ecology and conservation.

Based in Auckland New Zealand, the club, which was formed in 1931, now has about 100 members ranging from amateurs to seasoned enthusiasts.

Meetings are held at 7:30pm on the second Tuesday of each month (except January), and in most months there is an organised field trip. Please refer to our latest monthly newsletter for more information.

Our magazine "Poirieria" is published once or twice per year, and a wide range of books and periodicals are available from the club library on request.

We welcome anyone interested in shells and their habitat to join the club.

Upcoming Events

3-5/July/2009 - 40th Anniversary Townsville Shell Show. Enquiries to 43 Gilbert Crescent, Castle Hill, Queensland 4810, or email TownsvilleShellClub@hotmail.com.
10-12/July/2009 - Keppel Bay Shell Show, Yeppoon. Enquiries to Keppel Bay Shell Club, P.O.Box 5166, Central Queensland Mail Centre, 4702.
10/October/2009 - CSAMI Shell Auction, Albany Hall, 1pm. Viewing of the lots from 10am.
19-21/February/2010 - Eighth National (Australia) Shell Show, Fremantle, Western Australia. Email merv@perthshells.com or write to WA Shell Club Secretary, P.O.Box 175, Rockingham, WA 6168

Register of Largest NZ Shells

Our free Register of Largest NZ Shells records the largest shells of any NZ species in the possession of collectors worldwide.
It is also used to record any known sinistral specimens of NZ species.
Information on how to register your shells, as well as measurement rules etc. are contained in the register.
The register is in Excel format, but if you don't have Excel then you can download a free Excel reader.
For more information, please contact Peter Poortman or Luen Jones.

New Zealand Shell Show 2009

What a weekend!!
The Shell Show was a great success, and by all accounts was enjoyed by the many participants and visitors. We had almost 200 exhibits, and as usual the standard was higher than ever. They really were amazing displays and visitors well and truly got their moneys worth.
The judges had many difficult decisions to make, but managed to complete their task by 9pm on Friday night - big winners were Heather Smith for her worldwide displays, and Peter Poortman for his New Zealand displays - view the winners list.
We also had a record number of shell dealers this year, including Alistair Moncur from Britain and Marcus Coltro from Femorale in Brazil.
The auction on Saturday was well attended and the bidding for some lots got quite competitive. The day finished with an enjoyable meal and prizegiving at Valentines Restaurant.
Throughout the weekend we had a steady stream of visitors, with Lena Trnski being the lucky winner of the raffle - a beautiful collection of shells donated by Heather.
Many thanks to all the club members who contributed in some way to make this our best ever show!!

Please send your best Shell Show photos to Peter Poortman so that he can put them on the Club's Website. Here are a few ...

Committee Contact List

President	Martin Walker	170 Mt Wellington Highway, Mt Wellington, 1060	570 1797
Immediate Past President	Heather Smith	42b Combes Rd, Remuera, Auckland 1050	524 5068
Vice Presidents	Patricia Langford	1 Celina Place, Browns Bay, North Shore 0630	479 6149
	Doug Snook	16 Donzella Place, Conifer Grove, Papakura 2112	299 6476
Secretary and Newsletter	Jan Munroe	42 Black Teal Close, Albany, North Shore 0632	444 8460
Newsletter Mailout	Joan Hetherington	84 Marlborough Ave, Glenfield, North Shore 0629	444 1037
Treasurer and Membership	Luen Jones	1A Rewarewa Rd, Te Atatu Peninsula, Waitakere 0610	834 5195
Auditor	Derek Lamb	22 Settlers Grove, Orewa, Whangaparaoa 0931	(09) 427 8911
Website	Peter Poortman	26 Pendlebury St, Green Bay, Waitakere 0604	817 1397
Poirieria Editors	Patricia Langford	1 Celina Place, Browns Bay, North Shore 0630	479 6149
	Jan Munroe (formatting)	42 Black Teal Close, Albany, North Shore 0632	444 8460
Librarian	Gladys Goulstone	38a Church Road, Mangere Bridge, Manukau 2022	634 2823
Archivist	Betty Headford	Arone Farm, Makarau Rd, RD3, Kaukapakapa 0873	(09) 420 5223
Committee	Graham Bould	PO Box 37150, Parnell, Auckland 1052
	Michael Bressolles	182a Onewa Road, Birkenhead, North Shore 0626	419 1149
	Nick Britton	214 St Andrews Road, Epsom, Auckland 1023	625 7702

Links to other sites

Reference

Australian Shells - Identification guide for Australian shells.
Catalogue of Life - The Species 2000 and ITIS catalogue of all known species.
Checklist of the Recent New Zealand Mollusca - Up to date list of all New Zealand molluscs based on literature references.
Freshwater Molluscan Shells - Information and images of worldwide freshwater mollusca.
Hardy's Internet Guide to Marine Gastropods - Extensive collection of shell images.
Man and Mollusc - Resource site for all things molluscan.
Molluscan Pictures (Singapore) - Images, interactives, auctions, articles, news, chat room, forum, etc.
OBIS Indo-Pacific Molluscan Database - List of all Indo-Pacific molluscs based on literature references.
Seashell Collector (France) - Articles, images, information, and links.
Seashells of New South Wales - Information and images of all seashells of New South Wales, Australia.
Systematic Research Collections - List of worldwide systematic research collections.
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa - Online access to some of Te Papa's extensive mollusc collection, including photographs.
Worldwide Conchology (USA) - Molluscan images and articles, plus database, map, and multimedia links
Commercial
Australian Seashells - Large selection of shells for sale.
Books of Nature (Australia) - On-line bookstore selling a wide range of shell books.
C&S Shell Cabinet - On-line shell auctions, and large list of dealers.
Conchology, Inc. (Belgium) - Large selection of shells for sale, images, auction, articles, information, and links.
Femorale (Brazil) - Large selection of shells for sale/exchange, many images, articles, and links.
Perth Shell Distributors - Shells and other marine collectables for sale, shell collecting and diving trips.
Sanibel Seashell Industries - Shells for everyone from serious collectors to crafters.
Sharpe Shells (Canada) - Shells and books for sale.
Shellauction.net (Italy) - On-line shell auctions, and large list of dealers.
Shelline Group (Italy) - Wide range of products and services for conchologists.
Shells Passion (France) - Large selection of shells, with images, for sale.
Tropical Seashells (NZ) - Importers and suppliers of high-quality tropical shells.
Top Seashells (Philippines) - Good quality shells for sale and auction, all with images, and many good links.
General
Concha Muszle - Shell lovers web club by Jacek Glanc from Poland. Lots of interesting reports on shell matters, including many recent Shell Shows.
Conchologists of America - Information on shells and collecting, plus lists of worldwide shell clubs and events.
New Zealand Geographic Place Names - Search tool to locate all official NZ place names.
New Zealand Tide Tables - LINZ tide tables for major ports.
The Malacological Society of Australasia - Organisation that promotes the study of molluscs.
The Sydney Shell Club - Club information, images, articles, & publications.
Website of Andrew Spurgeon (NZ) - Information and images of many NZ shells.
Wellington Shell Club - Club information.
Western Australian Shell Club - Club information.