I think I can do it in 25 words or less. How about six? There will be
differences of opinion, but I can give you mine.
There is one species in Florida. The many forms, some named, some not, seem
to be more the result of habitat and prey than genetics. Some very
interesting populations have been examined recently that shed light on the
problem. I have an account of my problems in sorting out the crown conch
forms in the January 1998 Shell-O-Gram (Jacksonville Club).
Since writing it, more interesting populations have come to light. New
forms of interest include rotund 110 mm snails from the Keys resembling
those found on the west coast, giant M. c. "aspinosa" forms from Florida
Bay, M. c. "sprucecreekensis" and other large east coast forms reaching 150
mm, west coast dwarfs, and plenty of intergrades.
A rumor has it that Dr. Jerry Harasewych may soon have some molecular
taxonomy for us on this subject..
If any of you have other interesting populations to report, please let me
know.
 
Phil P.
----------
> From: ross mayhew <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Continuation
> Date: Saturday, December 20, 1997 2:22 AM
>
> (8" screen strikes again!)  As i was saying, try looking  around and
> under rocks (don't forget to turn them over again!)  for goodies, and
> take along  a 1mm ((24-mesh) screen, for sifting  seds through.  A good
> # of extra spp can be procured by wading out a couple of feet into the
> subtidal region, turning  over those rocks and scooping up some sediment
> for later screening.  If you get an opportunity to go out with  a trap
> fisherman for a day, take it:  you would be surprised at the shells the
> hermit crabs live in, and how good the condition often is!  Count on at
> least three, perhaps 3.5 hrs of good shelling  per very low tide, and
> have fun!!  o yes- take along  one of those nets for swiping molluscs
> off of seaweed, and check under and in the seaweed intertidally, as well
> as in cracks and holes, and don't forget to dissect any waterlogged
> boards thrown up on the beach.!  At this time of year, neophrene gloves
> (rentable at dive shops) might be a good idea.
>
>         Welcome back, Lynn, and MANY thanks for the words of  sanity and
good
> old "horse sense" you write so well.
>
>         By the way, for all new members,  Bret Raines' molluscs.net is a
> FABULOUS place to pursue the buying, selling  and trading of shells.  I
> heartily reccomend it.
>
>         Finally, a question:  A while ago,  a debate regarding  how many
spp of
> Melongena inhabit Florida flared up.  Can anybody sum up the consensus
> of this, in 25 words or less, and has genetic work been done to settle
> the matter?
>
>
              -Ross M.
>                                                 (Schooner Specimen Shells
in the Great White North).