A LITTLE HELP?

I'm having trouble getting people to write for this blog, so here I am again. One of my current projects is with Carol Stadum and we're looking at the fossils from middle Miocene limestone deposits in southern Orange County. These deposits are interesting in their history (rocks from these limestones were used for cement for the San Juan Capistrano Mission), geology, and fauna and I'm sure I'll have more to say on them in the future. Right now I need a little help.

Attached is a picture of a ... I'm guessing a Turridae, from these deposits. The picture is of a latex cast and the specimen is less than 1 cm long. Any idea what the genus might be? Or, if I even got the family right (I know I've heard it already - its a Turd). The spiral ribs and whorls that overlap the previous whorl reminds me of something but I can't think of what. Any help would be appreciated.

Charles Powell, II

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE 2010 STUDENT RESEARCH GRANTS IN MALACOLOGY

As part of our commitment to the continued study of mollusks, the Western Society of Malacologists with sponsorship from the San Diego Shell Club and former Northern California Malacozoological Club announces the availability of grants to support student research in malacology. Funds can be used for actual research costs, including but not limited to, field and laboratory equipment, chemicals, photographic supplies, computer time and supplies, microscope usage fees, and for research travel costs.

To qualify you must be a full time student in a formal graduate or undergraduate degree program. There are no citizenship or affiliation restrictions and students from all countries are eligible. The thesis, dissertation, or research project must be focused primarily on the systematics, biology, ecology, physiology, biochemistry, or paleontology of marine, terrestrial or freshwater mollusks in western North America. We will consider Research currently in progress or beginning in the 2010-2011 academic year.

Membership in the Western Society of Malacologists is not required but is certainly encouraged and students receive a discounted rate. Award recipients are also encouraged to present their research at a subsequent WSM meeting. Abstracts are published in the WSM Annual Report.

For more on the application process (see http://biology.fullerton.edu/wsm/grants.html for additional application information and forms)
Email to: dzacherl@fullerton.edu

Awards of up to US $1,000.00 are available.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Completed applications must be received no later than MAY 1st 2010. NO exceptions. Please apply early and avoid the deadline rush.

Awards will be announced during the 43nd Annual Meeting of the Western Society of Malacologists, at San Diego June 26- July 1, 2010 (technical sessions June 26-30, field trip July 1), http://biology.fullerton.edu/wsm/conferences.html for additional information.