Santorini Crab G. D. Santorini)

Santorini shells are a group of mollusk shells found off the coast of Greece and other coastal regions of the Mediterranean. It was named after the Greek island of Santorini in the western Mediterranean, where it was first discovered in the 19th century by the Dutch naturalist Jacob Santorni.

Santorini shells come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are known for their beautiful colors and bizarre shapes. The most common species are the Santorini shell Astarlia and the Santorini guiro, which can reach a height of up to 60 centimeters and a weight of up to 15 kilograms. However, the largest of them range in length from 70 cm to more than a meter. These shells have a small protuberance at their end called Seller's protuberance. This outgrowth contains so-called cristae - grooves on the surface of the shell, which are landmarks for recognizing individuals. Using this method, scientists have determined that the shells can be up to several thousand years old. This allows us to judge the process of formation of marine sediments over a period of time and connect this process with climatic and geological changes. In addition to using these shells as decorations, they are also an important resource for aquarists and collectors.