|
Abalone Species
|
Number of Open Holes
|
Shape & Structure of
Holes
|
Color of Shell Exterior
|
Shell Sculpture
|
Shell Margin
|
Color of Body
|
Color of Tentacles
|
|
Red
|
3-4
|
oval, slightly tubular
|
dull brick-red
|
lumpy undulating
|
red rim
|
black
|
black
|
|
Pink
|
2-4
|
round, highly elevated
|
dull green to reddish brown
|
irregular corrugated
|
mottled, sharp scalloped
|
black
|
black
|
|
Black
|
5-9
|
round, small flush with
shell
|
dark blue to black
|
smooth
|
blue or black smooth
|
black
|
black
|
|
Green
|
5-7
|
round, small slightly
raised
|
olive green to reddish brown
|
regular with coarse spiral
ribbing
|
brownish, sharp
|
olive green to light brown
|
olive green
|
|
White
|
3-5
|
oval highly elevated
|
reddish brown
|
regular with low spiral
ribbing
|
red, sharp
|
yellowish tan traces of
orange
|
yellowish green
|
|
Pinto
|
3-6
|
oval raised
|
mottled greenish brown with
scattered white & blue
|
lumpy exterior reflected on
interior by hollows, pits, etc.
|
narrow, mottled, scalloped
|
mottled greenish tan or
brown
|
greenish brown
|
|
Threaded
|
3-6
|
oval slightly raised
|
mottled greenish with red-
white or brownish spotting
|
wide separated prominent
spiral ribs interspaced with numerous fine ribs
|
thin mottled greenish,
red-blue
|
yellowish cream & brown
|
brownish-yellow
|
|
Flat
|
4-8
|
oval raised
|
brick red with white blue
& green mottlings
|
numerous evenly rounded
spiral ribs crossed by thin raised striations
|
thin, red
|
yellowish green mottled
|
yellowish green
|
|
Abalone Species
|
Area between Tentacles
|
Muscle Scar
|
Characteristics of Muscle
Scar
|
Interior of Shell Major
Iridescence
|
|
Red
|
lobed, smooth
|
prominent
|
straight green lines at
sides & front edge
|
dull green
|
|
Pink
|
white lace-like edge
|
prominent
|
wavy bands & clusters
of closely spaced flow lines with pinkish iridescence
|
pink
|
|
Black
|
lobed, smooth
|
absent
|
-
|
pearly white
|
|
Green
|
green lace-like edge
|
prominent
|
same as for pink with green
& blue iridescence
|
green & blue
|
|
White
|
beige lace-like edge
|
absent
|
-
|
pearly white & pink
|
|
Pinto
|
lace-like edge, greenish
brown, rough
|
absent
|
-
|
pearly white
|
|
Threaded
|
lace-like edge, yellowish
brown, roughened
|
absent
|
-
|
pearly white
|
|
Flat
|
lace-like edge, yellow-green
roughened
|
absent
|
-
|
purplish pink
|
|
|
California Department of Fish and Game, Marine Region