The ever-popular sport of World Record hunting is an interesting one - but one
often wonders what the REAL World Record sizes (ie, the largest so far
collected) are, as opposed to the largest reported in the "official"
compilations.  The greatest difference i've heard of so far, is for Haliotis
iris, a New Zealand indiginous species: the "official" WR is 183mm (although
Pete Stimpson will soon have a 193mm specimen), but i have heard that 210 -
215mm specimens have been reported.  With this and probably several other large,
attractive species (like Placopecten magellanicus in my neck of the woods), the
fishermen who find the REALLY huge giants usually save them, displaying them
like trophies in their homes - thus they never get noticed or recorded by the
Conchological Community!

I ask the list if they know of other species where there is a signifigant
difference between the "book value" and the actual Record size.

Honk if you love September,
-Ross.