rare pair of collectible paper shells Taxidermy full body...

The Argonauta is a genus of cephalopod mollusks belonging to the order Octopoda (octopuses). The most famous species is Argonauta argo, also found in the Mediterranean Sea. This animal is renowned for its incredible biological peculiarities: the female possesses two modified tentacles that secrete a very thin calcareous hydrodynamic structure (resembling a paper shell). It is not a true biological shell, but a protective "nave" (boat) that the animal uses to float and to guard its eggs. The female can reach the size of an apple. The male, on the other hand, is tiny (the size of a candy or a grain of rice) and has no shell at all. To copulate, the male develops a special reproductive tentacle (ectocotile) that literally detaches from its body and swims autonomously toward the female to fertilize her. Shortly after, the male dies. A lot showing two different specimens of Argonauta: the more common Argonauta ARGO this time in truly XXL dimensions, 19 cm x 13.5 cm x 5.5 cm, and the rarer Argonauta cornuta of still substantial size, 8.5 cm x 6.5 cm x 5.5 cm. The Argonauta shows clear signs of organic consolidation, while the Argonauta cornuta presents three small holes on the spines due to predator bites. However, when placed within a display from the right side, they are exceptional and intact. Stand not included, made with reused material and used solely for photographic purposes. A necessary clarification. The final image of our photographic gallery is obtained with the help of AI software. The aim is purely aesthetic but also illustrative: it shows the real object inside an artificially generated setting. The objective is to show how precious the objects up for auction are and how well they fit into different, all very refined environments. We thank you for your attention. Happy bidding.

Estimate:£229.39

View all items fromCatawikiorEthnographical