Dear Russ;- (well, that's what you'd be called here.)
        I think you got it right. 50 C. geographus does seem a bit much. 50 of
anything seems to be a bit much. But, then, how many scallops are consumed or
offered for consumption every day? And oysters---oh my! Shrimp? Crabs? Cattle?
        We, the barely human animal, are, like bears and racoons, an omniverous
creature. Our nature dictates our diets---but also an appreciation of art and
beauty; which tells us to value the shells built by snails. We do that.
        From me, no answers. I'm the Question Man. I like thinkers. You qualify.
            Art

Russell Kelley wrote:

> Re: collecting 50 Conus geographus.
>
> Well said Masashi Yamaguchi.
>
> As a new member (of several months) to this list I have read the passing
> traffic with interest but have not contributed till now.  I am concerned
> that their seems to be more of an interest in the $ value of a shell than in
> the animal that made it.
>
> Can anyone suggest another list with more of an interest in the total
> package?
>
> Masashi is rightly concerned about research farming out its dirty work
> without bearing an responsibility to how / where the animals are collected,
> and its affect on the environment .  There was no mention of permits or a
> scientific rationale for why 50 are needed.  Just how can I get 'em without
> any responsibility.
>
> Russell Kelley
>
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> ***
> Russell Kelley
> Writer, director, producer, science communication consultant.
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>
> > From: Masashi Yamaguchi <[log in to unmask]>
> > Reply-To: Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]>
> > Date: Sat, 12 Aug 2000 08:00:58 +0900
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: Conus geographus for research needed
> >
> > Dear Guido,
> >
> >> we need about 50 specimens of Conus geographus, with the fresh animal
> > inside for biochemical research on the venon.
> >
> >
> > We have supplied a small number of this species for a biomedical research
> > project in Japan sometimes ago. The population density of this shell is
> > rather small and I worry that 50 live specimen is too much to ask because
> > such heavy pressure might decimate local population. It also would take many
> > weeks to collect that many. We do not know the early life history and
> > reproductive biology of this species. As we find only adults, almost no
> > juveniles, in the field, we should be cautious about intensive collection of
> > species with such a population structure.
> >
> > Masashi Yamaguchi
> > Univ. of the Ryukyus in Okinawa
> >