Gastropod Shells Research Articles

Synthesis of biocompatible hydroxyapatite from quail eggshell, oyster shell, and periwinkle snail shell

This study focuses on the synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) from calcium carbonate (CaCO3)-rich quail eggshells, oyster shells, and periwinkle snail shells (Filopaludina bengalensis) through the use of the wet precipitation method. The methodology involved calcining the shell waste to convert CaCO3 to calcium oxide (CaO), undergoing hydration, and reacting with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) to synthesize HA. The results indicated that periwinkle snail shells had the highest percent yield of HA at 92.12%, followed closely by quail eggshells at 92.01%, and oyster shells at 73.65%. For producing CaO, oyster shells provided the highest percent yield of CaO at 103.72%, followed by quail eggshells at 98.6% and periwinkle snail shells at 92.09%. The synthesized HA exhibited high biocompatibility, which is crucial for its potential applications in medical fields such as bone replacement and regeneration. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of high-quality HA, with characteristic peaks indicative of excellent crystallinity and purity and near identicality to the standard XRD pattern of HA of ICDD 9-432 and the XRD pattern of successfully synthesized HA in other studies, indicating high biocompatibility. The research highlights the potential of recycling food waste, specifically shell waste, into valuable biomaterials. This not only addresses environmental concerns but also supports sustainable practices in the food industry. Moreover, the study contributes to advancements in biomaterials for medical applications, emphasizing the viability of utilizing organic waste for high-value products. By transforming food waste into useful medical materials, this research offers promising solutions for waste management and resource utilization, particularly within Thailand's ecological and industrial framework.

Evaluation of Fresh and Hardened Properties of Concrete made with Rice Husk Ash admixed with Snail Shell Ash

Evaluation of Fresh and Hardened Properties of Concrete made with Rice Husk Ash admixed with Snail Shell Ash

Geochemical fractionation of trace elements in ostreid and gastropod shells: A potential proxy for heavy metal pollution in Ghana’s coastal environment

The content of trace elements from Crassostrea tulipa (Ostreidae, Bivalvia) from four localities (Pra Estuary, Densu Estuary, Kpone Beach, and Anyanui Creek) along the coast of Ghana has been used as a bioindicator of environmental pollution. The lowest values of heavy metals correspond to the Crassostrea shells from Densu Estuary and Anyanui Creek, whereas the highest contents are recorded in the shells from Pra Estuary and Kpone Beach. Densu Estuary and Anyanui Creek are located in areas not affected by major industries, and only Densu is located in a densely urbanized setting. Crassostrea shells from Densu Estuary are only enriched in Ni. However, the Total Organic Carbon content of the sediments of the Densu Estuary indicates anthropogenic organic pollution not evidenced by the composition of Crassostrea shells. The Crassostrea shells from the Pra Estuary show enrichment in most of the analysed trace elements (Li, Be, V, Cu, Cr, Zn, Ga, Y, Sn, Pb, U, Th, ∑REE, and As) compared with other studied sites. This enrichment is related to heavy metals influx to the Pra River by the mining activities, extensive forest clearance, and loss of soil minerals. The Crassostrea shells from Kpone Beach present comparatively high content of some trace elements (Be, Ba, Cu, Zn, Nb, Pb, and REE). The metal pollutants are related to the input of the Heavy Industrial Area of Tema (located around 3.5 km west of Kpone Beach) and urban effluences from the Greater Accra Region. The high content of Ba, Cu, Zn, and Pb in Crassostrea is directly related to high phytoplankton productivity (mainly for diatoms) linked to the input of trace metals transferred into the marine food webs. In addition, some analyses of gastropod shells from Kpone Beach indicate that Cerithium and Nerita are more sensitive to accumulating Ni and As than Crassostrea. The values of trace metals from the Crassostrea shells of the Densu Estuary and Anyanui Creek are comparatively low. Considering the role of Crassostrea shells as bioindicators for heavy metals pollution, the less polluted localities are Anyanui Creek and Densu Estuary, whereas Pra Estuary and Kpone Beach are affected by anthropic activities such as mining, urban effluents, and industry.

Melanoides tuberculata and Zootecus insularis gastropod shells provide a snapshot into past hydroclimatic conditions of arid environments: New perspectives from Oman

Shells of the aquatic gastropod Melanoides tuberculata and the terrestrial gastropod Zootecus insularis were analysed using high-resolution isotope sampling (up to 274 samples per shell) to assess their potential use as a proxy for hydroclimatic and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction in drylands. A total of 169 snails (fossil and modern) were collected from 37 sites in Northern Oman and Dhofar, with each site selected for its specific geomorphological, archaeological or ecological context. This included fluvial terraces, playa environments, modern oasis gardens, irrigation channels and Neolithic (6000–3200 BCE) and Early Bronze Age (3200–2000 BCE) archaeological sites. The δ18O data obtained from these gastropods could be classified into eight different patterns, three for the aquatic snails (Type 1 A–C) and five for the terrestrial snails (Type 2 A–E), which were linked to the environmental context of their habitat. Furthermore, the use of the aquatic snails enabled us to distinguish between groundwater and surface water signals, whereas the terrestrial snails were employed to reconstruct changes in rainfall origin, humidity, evaporation, regular wet-dry cycles, and/or the presence of meteorological events such as cyclones. According to the results, gastropods can be used to elucidate the long-term, local evolution of rain-fed floodplain ecosystems in drylands and to identify the hydrological resources present in the vicinity of archaeological sites, particularly with regard to type (e.g., surface water vs groundwater).

Preparation and characterization of calcium oxide from snail shell

This paper studied the synthesis of calcium oxide (CaO) from snail shells by calcination, crushing, and grinding. Then, the sample was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), specific surface area (BET), and particle size. The XRD result showed obtained CaO content of 98.7%. FTIR spectrum analysis revealed a sharp band appeared at 3647 cm-1 due to the formation of Ca(OH)2 and the band at 1419 cm-1 was the characteristic peak of CaO. SEM images supplied a fairly uniform crystal structure and high porosity capillary. TGA analysis also gave a clear mass loss in two temperature ranges from 320-500oC and 515-780oC. At the same time, our results are compared with previous related studies.

High resolution stable isotope ratios in modern African land snails: Testing inferred environmental conditions

High-resolution sub-annual stable oxygen isotope data were measured in modern land snail shells collected from different climatic zones in Africa to search for patterns in seasonal δ18O cycles associated with specific hydroclimates, keyed to flora/biozones. Thirty-three recently dead shells were collected between 1995 and 2012, and collection localities were divided into five climate types: tropical forest, woodland savannah, bushland savannah, woodland monsoon, and arid/semi-arid. Thirteen genera are represented in the collection. Sampling covered at least one year in the life of the land snails, often multiple years. A comparison of measured data to predicted δ18O values, using local temperature and rain δ18O value, shows that predictions tend to be lower than measured values, suggesting that surface waters or snail body waters have undergone some evaporation. Predictions based on night-time temperatures (average monthly minimum T) are closer to, but still underestimate, measured values compared to day-time (maximum) temperatures in a majority of cases. The largest range in δ18O values for individual shells occurs in the bushland savannah and woodland monsoon biomes. Longer seasonal intervals of dry conditions lead to greater δ18O ranges in shells, although if the dry interval approaches 10 months in the year the amplitude is again reduced. This is in agreement with other oxygen isotope studies of high-resolution land snail shell samples, which show very high δ18O variance in strong monsoon climates.

Achieving a super-strengthening functional composite coating from ZnO doped snail shell particulate for mitigation of mild steel towards improved microstructural, corrosion, and opto-electrical properties

Long-lasting protective coatings are essential, particularly under harsh operating conditions. Surface coatings provide a flexible alternative; electrodeposition is becoming an established approach for protecting steel. The intent of this study is to determine how effectively zinc oxide (ZnO) coatings for mild steel corrosion protection effect when integrated with snail shell particle (SSP). The experimental setup consisted of producing a coating bath with ZnO and SSP particles, then electrodeposting the mixture under conditions onto polished steel surfaces. The created coatings were subjected to an array of tests, including electrical conductivity and resistivity testing, morphological analysis using SEM/EDS, corrosion testing in a 1M HCl solution, hardness testing. The findings show that when SSP content increases, steel corrosion rates significantly decrease, suggesting improved corrosion resistance from 21.85(mm/yr) to 12.80(mm/yr), and polarization resistance of 4.47E+01(Ω) to 8.00E+01(Ω). Morphological examination shows that SSP particles are dispersed throughout the coating matrix, which promotes adhesion and stability. Also, coatings with more SSP show better electrical characteristics. Overall, the study shows how ZnO-SSP coatings can shield mild steel components from adverse conditions and have prospective uses in sectors where surfaces resistant to corrosion are needed.

Constructing the Snail Shell-Like Framework in Thermal Interface Materials for Enhanced Through-Plane Thermal Conductivity.

Melioration of the through-plane thermal conductivity (TC) of thermal interface materials (TIMs) is a sore need for efficient heat dissipation to handle an overheating concern of high-power-density electronics. Herein, we constructed a snail shell-like thermal conductive framework to facilitate vertical heat conduction in TIMs. With inspiration from spirally growing calcium carbonate platelets of snail shells, a facile double-microrod-assisted curliness method was developed to spirally coil boron nitride nanosheet (BNNS)/aramid nanofiber (ANF) laminates where interconnected BNNSs lie along the horizontal plane. Thus, vertical alignment of BNNSs in the resultant TIM was achieved, exhibiting a through-plane TC enhancement of ∼100% compared to the counterpart with randomly distributed BNNSs at the same BNNS addition (50 wt %). The Foygel's nonlinear model revealed that this unique snail shell-like BNNS framework reduced interfacial thermal resistance by 4 orders of magnitude. Our TIM showed superior interfacial thermal dissipation efficiency, leading to a temperature reduction of 42.6 °C for the LED chip compared to the aforementioned counterpart. Our work paves a valuable way for fabricating high-performance TIMs to ensure reliable operation of electrical devices.

DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF PARTICLE REINFORCED ABRASIVE GRINDING DISCS FROM LOCALLY SOURCED MATERIALS

Management of waste materials is a serious concern to researchers and scientists. Waste materials cause health and environmental hazards. Hence, they should be properly managed. The aim of this study is to develop a grinding disc using agricultural wastes (palm kernel shell and snail shell), granite, aluminium oxide, and polyester resin. The particles of snail shell, palm kernel shell, aluminium oxide (abrasive) and granite (friction modifier) were measured in percentages varying between 8 - 29 wt. % and were mixed with 27 wt. % polyester resin (binder), 3 wt. % methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (hardener) and 3 wt. % cobalt naphthalene (accelerator) to produce a grinding disc. The micrograph, hardness, wear rate, and water absorption tests were carried out on the grinding disc samples. The result showed that the composition with the highest palm kernel shell particle content (29 wt. %) had the best values for hardness and wear resistance, making it the most suitable material for grinding discs. The environmentally-friendly palm kernel shell-based discs could be used for soft metals, wood grinding and finishing processes.

CCD-RSM optimization of biodiesel production from waste cooking oil using Angulyagra oxytropis and Bellamya crassa snail shell-based heterogeneous catalysts

In the present study, labuk tharoi (Angulyagra oxytropis), and ningkhabi tharoi (Bellamya crassa) were utilized to produce CaO catalyst for biodiesel production using waste cooking oil (WCO). The snail shells were calcined at a temperature of 800−1000℃ for 4 h and characterized using XRD, FTIR, BET, SEM, and EDX analysis. Central composite design-response surface methodology (CCD-RSM) was employed, and the input parameters considered for optimization were (i) catalyst calcination temperature (800−1000℃), (ii) methanol: oil ratio (molar) (6:1−12:1), (iii) catalyst loading (3−7 wt.%), and (iv) reaction temperature (55−75℃). A quadratic regression model was aliased by CCD-RSM with R2 values of 0.9291 and 0.976 for waste cooking oil methyl ester-labuk tharoi (WCOME-LT), and waste cooking oil methyl ester-ningkhabi tharoi (WCOME-NT) models indicating a good fit. An optimum biodiesel yield of (95.87, 95.91 %) was obtained at catalyst calcination temperature (891, 886℃), methanol to oil molar ratio (9.89:1, 9.67:1), catalyst loading weight % (7, 7 wt.%), and reaction temperature (75, 75℃) for WCOME-LT and WCOME-NT model respectively. The calcination temperature has a major impact on the biodiesel yield as per analysis of variance. The catalyst reusability was up to four cycles with a biodiesel yield of more than 83 %.

Study of multifaceted eco-friendly nanoparticle zinc coating incorporation on mild steel.

Mild steel's versatile application in various fields makes it a pivotal material, yet its vulnerability to corrosion demands effective protection methods. This work explores the potential synergy between plantain peel (PP) and snail shell particle (SSP) nanoparticles when combined in a Zn–MgO matrix to improve corrosion resistance in mild steel coatings. After a thorough investigation of various bath compositions and process conditions, the ZnO–MgO–20SSP–20PP coating was found to have improved electrical characteristics, decreased thickness with high-quality films, higher hardness (78 HRB), and excellent corrosion resistance. Corrosion tests showed a notable decrease (∼70% for the ZnO–MgO–20SSP–20PP sample) in the rate of corrosion, and optical micrographs confirmed the coating's capacity to reduce damage. A reliable predictive model (ANOVA) was produced by mathematical optimization utilising a central composite design, which highlighted the interplay of SSP and PP concentrations on corrosion rate. This extensive study provides eco-friendly alternatives for improved mild steel corrosion prevention by showcasing the diverse contributions of SSP and PP nanoparticles.

Physico-mechanical Characterization of Stabilized Earth Blocks with Snail Shell and Termite Mound Powders as Pozzolanic Binders

The aim of this study is to reduce the reliance on cement in the construction of Stabilized Earth Blocks (SEBs) by assessing the addition of snail shell and termite mound powders as a partial substitute for cement. The focus of this study is on the valorization of local materials and animal waste in sustainable construction. Laterite, used as the base material, was stabilized by substituting 0 to 80% of the cement with snail shell and termite mound powders to create blocks that were tested for their mechanical strength and water absorption. The results show that the compressive strength of the blocks remains above the required threshold of 4 MPa up to a 50% substitution, with a downward trend at higher rates. The capillary water absorption of the stabilized earth blocks remains within the limits of blocks classified as low-absorption, with coefficients ranging from 0.58 kg/m²/min at a 50% substitution to 1.14 kg/m²/min at an 80% substitution. These findings suggest that a substitution up to 50% could represent an adequate balance between mechanical performance and environmental benefits, thus ensuring the required durability and mechanical strength. Although the research is limited to the study of these materials in their raw state, future work could explore the enhancement of the pozzolanic activity of snail shell and termite mound ash through treatments such as calcination to further strengthen the eco-efficiency of the process.

Life cycle assessment and biodegradability of biodiesel produced using different alcohols and heterogeneous catalysts

ABSTRACT The synthesis of fatty acid methyl (RME) and fatty acid butyl esters (RME) using heterogeneous catalysts (dolomite, eggshells, snail shells) is attractive as more and more legislations about global warming and energy security encourage to pay attention to renewable energy sources. In this study, the impact of six different RME and RBE production scenarios on the environment was investigated, also biodegradability research of RMEs and RBEs and mineral diesel were conducted. To assess life cycle, SimaPro9 software was used and impact to 11 environmental categories were evaluated. The environmental performance was determined based on their midpoint impacts, CML-IA baseline V3.06/EU25 method. Results of LCA showed that the production of RBE using eggshells and snail shells as heterogeneous catalysts had the most adverse impact on the global warming potential (2298.0 and 2266.1 kgCO2eq t−1 respectively). While the lowest impact to global warming potential was obtained for RME production using dolomite as a catalyst (1436.8 kgCO2eqt−1). The production of RME using dolomite had the lowest impact on almost all categories, while the synthesis of RBE using eggshells had the highest impact on the environment. However, conditions under which biodiesel is produced have a huge impact on life cycle assessment results. RMEs showed higher biodegradability compared with RBEs. HIGHLIGHTS LCA on six different biodiesel production scenarios was investigated. FAME production using dolomite has the lowest impact on the environment. Conditions under which biodiesel is produced have a huge impact on LCA results. Biodegradability of RMEs and RBEs was investigated. Biodegradability depends on the type of alcohol, not on the catalyst which was used.

Snails, time, data: On the politics of mass-digitization and the possibility of data drift

In natural history museums around the globe, museum staff are working on making collections of specimens (such as insects on pins, snail shells, dried plants, mounted birds) digitally available through online databases en masse. The mass-digitization of specimens is urgent especially now, so museum actors and biodiversity scientists stress, as natural history collections could provide the biodiversity sciences with crucial data for research into the effects of climate-change induced biodiversity loss. This paper investigates the processes and practices through which these biodiversity data are produced. It argues that the work of data production requires the negotiation of- and grappling with different temporalities, and that attending to these temporalities contributes to a further understanding of the politics of mass-digitization. Building on ethnographic fieldwork in the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin's collection of snail shells, the paper brings into view the work required to make snail specimens and their metadata digital. Following steps in a mollusk digitization workflow—meant to streamline and scale up digitization processes—it attends to the misalignment of rhythms; the importance of informal cleaning labor; the negotiation of social, biological, and colonial temporalities in practices of label transcription; and the anticipatory and expansive logics of mass-digitization. Drawing on snails’ ability to “drift,” it raises data drift as a way of engaging with natural history collections and their data.

Eco-friendly synthesis and antibacterial potential of chitosan crosslinked-EDTA silver nanocomposite (CCESN)

This study presents a novel and eco-friendly approach for synthesizing silver nanocomposite at room temperature. The method utilizes chitosan derived from snail (Archachatina marginata) shell waste crosslinked with EDTA as a combined reducing and capping agent. The existence of silver nanoparticles in the composite was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The TEM, SEM, XRD, and analyses revealed that the silver nanoparticle has a face-centered cubic structure with an average size of 45.30 nm respectively. EDX and EDXRF showed characteristic silver peaks confirming the formation of silver nanoparticles in the composite while TGA indicated that silver nanoparticles contributed to good thermal stability of the composite. The formation of silver nanoparticles was indicated by a brown color transformation and an ultraviolet visible (UV Vis) absorption peak at 435 nm. The synthesized nanocomposite demonstrated promising antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus saprophyticus DSM 18669 and Escherichia coli O157 strains, with S. saprophyticus showing higher susceptibility. This highlights the potential of chitosan-EDTA silver nanocomposites as alternative antimicrobial agents.

Calcium Acetate Drug Produced from Rapana venosa Invasive Gastropod Shells: Green Process Control Assisted by Raman Technology.

The highly demanded calcium acetate (Ca(CH3COO)2) for biomedicine and various industries constantly requires green and low-cost methods of synthesis. In the present work, a sustainable approach to produce Ca(CH3COO)2 is reported as a proof of concept, processing for the first time as a starting material the worldwide highly abundant Rapana venosa shells, which is a neglected biogenic waste with high economical potential due to the rich mineral and organic pigmentary content. A green synthesis involving an eco-friendly acetic acid has been optimized at room temperature, without any additional energy consumption, and the resulting saturated Ca(CH3COO)2 solution was further slowly evaporated in three stages to obtain white Ca(CH3COO)2 crystalline powder, without impurity traces. Raman spectroscopy provided efficient structural information for every step of the process control, during demineralization as well as end product validation. Yields as high as 87.5% of highly pure Ca(CH3COO)2 mass have been achieved from raw R. venosa shells, proving the uniqueness and economic viability of the method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and Fourier-Transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses validated the final product identity, hydration status, crystalline morphology, and composition. The purity of the resulting product suggests a high valorization potential of the abundant R. venosa shell in the context of the blue bioeconomy and offers a cleaner and efficient method of Ca(CH3COO)2 production with important applications in relevant industries.

Rediscovering the unusual Cancellus makrothrix Stebbing, 1924 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Diogenidae) in the “Great African Seaforest”

The rare diogenid hermit crab Cancellus makrothrix Stebbing, 1924, previously known from only a few specimens collected a century ago from Algoa Bay, South Africa, has been found to be common in the kelp forest known as the “Great African Seaforest”, and rocky reefs, of False Bay, South Africa. This poorly known species, considered “aberrant” by some carcinologists, is one of 17 known in the genus Cancellus H. Milne Edwards, 1836, and the only of the genus known to occur in the coast of southern Africa. Cancelllus makrothrix lives in gastropod shells, whereas all other congenerics live in a variety of petricolous dwellings that are either excavated or worn away into cylindrical cavities. The newly collected material of C. makrothrix in South Africa, together with the study of historical museum specimens has made possible the detailed redescription and taxonomic discussion of this species presented herein, using full illustrations, photographs, and microCT scans. For future reference, the molecular CO1 genetic barcode is reported. A lectotype is selected from Stebbing’s original syntype material found to consist of two specimens: a female of which only several appendages remain, in the Natural History Museum, London, and a male, illustrated in the original description, in the Iziko South African Museum, Cape Town. Taxonomic remarks, comments on biological oddities, brief in situ and laboratory observations of live specimens, and a map summarizing the world distribution of species of Cancellus, are included.

Snail shell shape, force of attachment, and metabolic rate together cope with the intertidal challenge

Inhabitants of rocky intertidal shores, including gastropods, require specific adaptations to cope with numerous challenges that vary across the intertidal levels. We collected Stramonita biserialis snails from upper (wave-protected and intense predation) and lower (wave-exposed and low predation) intertidal sites to compare the following traits: shell skeleton (ventral and abaxial lateral views of shell shape, thickness, and mass), foot size, energy metabolism, and attachment strength to determine whether the trait values of snails from each zone fit the environmental challenges they face. We used a Principal Component Analysis to reduce the dimensionality of the data. Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) for comparing characteristics between the two intertidal zones, and Partial Least Squares (PLS) analyses for testing the integration of overall snail characteristics. The traits of the snails of the two intertidal sites matched with the adaptations expected to allow them to cope with their contrasting challenges. The snails from the lower intertidal had more streamlined shells (which reduces drag forces) and a larger aperture and foot extension (which increase the strength of their attachment to the substrate) compared to snails from the upper sites. Snails from the lower intertidal also had a high mass-specific metabolism and soft body proportion, indicating that these snails from the wave-exposed sites have an energetically active musculature that matches their strong substrate attachment. The thin shell walls of the snails of the lower intertidal match the relatively low predatory pressure there.

Effects of Egg and Snail Shells on Biodegradation and Tensile Properties of Waste Plastics Fabricated Thermoplastics Elastomer Composites

The essence of this study is to proffer solution on the degradation of the environment caused by non-degradable plastics waste. A novel approach on plastic waste management was adopted by fabricating a thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) composite using waste Polyethyleneterephthalate {PET}plastics and eggshell as biofillers to initiate degradation by microorganism.Waste Polyethylene Terephthalates (PET) was grinded andmelted blended with Natural Rubber with 40pphr of Eggshell to fabricate a Natural Rubber Thermoplastic elastomer (TPNR) composite. The resultant thermoplastic elastomer composite was prepared for soil burial for a period of 90 days to obtain percentage weight loss as an indication of biodegradation. The NR/PET composite was evaluated for tensile properties. The results obtained were of the new that the tensile strength, elongation at break and modulus decreases with increase in soil burial duration time. The eggshell as a biopolymer has been shown to initiate biodegradation. There was a reduction in tensile strength at a blend ratio of 50/50 NR/PET blend, an indication that degradation has occurred, hence tensile properties are useful tools for the evaluationof biodegradation of polymeric materials

How can we measure resource quality when resources differ in many ways? Deconstructing shelter quality in a social fish.

Resource quality is an important concept in ecology and evolution that attempts to capture the fitness benefits a resource affords to an organism. Yet "quality" is a multivariate concept, potentially affected by many variables pertaining to the resource, its surroundings, and the resource chooser. Researchers often use a small number of proxy variables to simplify their estimation of resource quality, but without vetting their proxies against a wider set of potential quality estimators this approach risks overlooking potentially important characteristics that can explain patterns of resource use in their study systems. Here we used Neolamprologus multifasciatus, a group-living cichlid fish that utilizes empty snail shells as shelter resources, to examine how shells were used by, and partitioned among, group members in relation to a range of attributes, including shell size, intactness, texture, spatial position, and usage by heterospecifics. This approach generated a comprehensive picture of what characteristics contribute to the attractiveness and quality of each shell resource, confirming the importance of two previously proposed shell characteristics, size and intactness, but highlighting the influences of other unexplored variables, including shell spatial position and usage by heterospecifics. We also present a generally applicable "resource attractiveness index" as a means to estimate resource quality based on resource choice data. This index incorporates information from any number of resource characteristics and is of particular use when researchers wish to quantify resource value, but many characteristics jointly contribute to the value and attractiveness of the resource.