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Date: | Thu, 28 Jan 1999 10:48:26 -0700 |
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Nora,
I believe the shell you found that looks like a right-handed lightning whelk
(Busycon perversum/contraium/sinistrum) is actually a knobbed whelk (Busycon
carica). There are subspecies, forms and variants of this guy and some do
look like a right-handed lightning whelk. As for why shells are typically
right-handed, no one really knows and the shells ain't talking. Sinistral
variations are not common but they do occur and it seems certain species
never have a sinistral representative while others have them in varying
numbers or percentages. You can find sinistral Muricidae, Volutidae,
Buccinidae, and of course Melongenidae. I am sure there are others but I
have never really looked into this and these are just the ones that come
readily to mind. You will probably not find a sinistral Conidae (unless it
is a fossil). As for Cypraeidae, I don't know.
Welcome to the list and this great and fascinating world of shells. What
the list has really tought me is how little I know about these critters and
there endless variety and little known mysteries. It is really great stuff.
Tom Eichhorst in New Mexico, USA
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