Hi Marlo -- and others might find this interesting too,

I found the most spectacular 4-inch C. aquatile (and I have no doubt that that's
what it is) on the wreck of the Sapona off South Bimini, Bahamas, snorkeling.
The criter was in about 3 feet, sitting wedged in the crack of some step-like
piece of machinery that I have no idea what it is and have never seen before.
It was metal (probably iron), about 8 by 10 feet and sort of bridge-like, and
covered with a thick coat of rust.  Our mollusc seemed very content sitting in
this strange hiding place, no sand or reef rubble or anything in sight where you
might normally expect such a find.  It sometimes pays to inspect weird places --
you may make wondrous discoveries!

Monika
in  it's-really-getting-cold-here New England





Marlo Krisberg <[log in to unmask]> on 10/06/99 11:57:36 PM

Please respond to Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]>

To:   [log in to unmask]
cc:    (bcc: Monika Forner/ICM/US/LHS)
Fax to:
Subject:  Re: Cymatium pileare/aquatile 2



Thanks.  I'll keep adding data as others contribute and issue another summary as
the the inventory
grows.

--
Marlo
Merritt Island, Florida
[log in to unmask]

Andrew Dickson wrote:

> Dear Marlo,
>
> Details are coming back to me now that I have given more thought to this
> subject.  Back in the 80's I collected Cymatium aquatile in 8 to 10 feet
> of water under dead reef rocks near Fowey Reef Light off Miami.  When I
> collected Cymatium pileare they were also found under rocks much closer
> inshore.  The rocks were near the common (Thalassia) seagrass. (I think
> that is the correct spelling).  I also found some dead C. pileare
> offshore in 60 feet of water off Boynton Beach, Florida.
> If I recall correctly, (I hope) I believe the Cymatium aquatile had long
> tufts of periostracum on each of the nodules of the last whorl. C.
> pileare also has these tufts but nowhere near as prominent.
>
> Andrew Dickson
> [log in to unmask]