I personally collected V. muricatum, mature specimens, in the Miami area. There are a couple of specimens in my collection from SE of Key Biscayne, 3' on sand and grass. The specimens aren't dated but were most probably collected in the early to mid 90s. I consider this to be a common species in Southeast Florida and stopped collecting them years ago. In the Florida Keys, they are still quite common and I see them with regularity while snorkeling in shallow water in many Keys locations,

Best regards, Nancy Galdo Chairman, 2010 Broward Shell Show Miami Beach, FL nancygaldo@gmail.com

On Jun 28, 2009, at 11:20 AM, marlo wrote:

> V. muricatum was once very common in the Florida Keys. It was not > uncommon > to encounter dozens during a snorkeling excursion. Not so today. > Abbott > places this shell in the "south half of Florida." However, I have > never > encountered it outside the Keys. It is not included in Harry Lee's > checklist for Peanut Island. I'd like to hear from those who have > encountered live V. muricatum in Florida outside the Keys. > > http://z14.invisionfree.com/Conchologist_Forum/index.php? > showtopic=1747 > > Marlo > marlo@cfl.r.com > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > CONCH-L@listserv.uga.edu - a forum for informal discussions on > molluscs > To leave this list, click on the following web link: > http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 > Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and > click leave the list. > ----------------------------------------------------------------------