There are also distinct geographic variants of Turbinella angulata in
the Caribbean. If you take the Bahamian form as typical, the ones from
Belize and Honduras differ in having a strong ridge at the shoulder
instead of knobs; those from the Yucatan peninsula are very fat, squat
and heavy and have a thick black periostracum; and those from the
southern Caribbean (Venezuela and Panama) are very slender and light
in weight with strong knobs. I've been thinking of doing an exhibit to
show these differences.


There are only a few specimens I've seen with a well-developed and
raised parietal shield, and they're not necessarily extra large ones,
though some are. The shield may be reddish at the raised edge.


I'm sure these differences are due to the direct development of the
species and relative geographic isolation of each form.


Peggy Williams


           Peggy Williams: shell collecting trips
          Visit my website: www.Shelltrips.com
                               PO Box 575
                        Tallevast FL 34270
                           (941) 355-2291
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