David Lindberg, U of Ca, Berkley has examined the DNA of the Atlantic
eelgrass limpet, Lottia alveus (now extinct) and has found that the Pacific
eelgrass limpet is a different species, Lottia paralella, closely associated
with Lottia asmi.

Rick Harbo
Nanaimo, B.C. Canada
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ross Mayhew" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2002 6:52 PM
Subject: Re: Lottia alveus in B.C., and unidentified critters


> Peter, you have a series of Zostera-dwelling beasties down as Lottia
> alveus on your nice website.  These are testudininalis - i think the
> nominate variety, although that is not "supposed" to occur on your
> coast.  I have virtually identical specimens from Zostera in Nova
> Scotia: it is a specialized version that dwells on eel grass - elongated
> and smaller, more delicate than the normal population.  Actually, i am
> uncertain whether they are a distinct population, or just individuals
> who settled on the Zostera when young, and just adopted charactaristics
> that would be condusive to living in that habitat, grazing on the algae
> that cover the grass.  I am convinced alveus is actually extinct, as
> most malacologist over here believe.
>
> Your unidentified Pecten i believe is Delectopecten vancouverensis
> Whiteaves, 1893 - otherwise known as tillamookensis and several other
> synonyms, since it is quite variable.   The Cardiid is very interesting
> - why not send a photo of it to Scott and/or Coan - or better yet get
> their bivalve book!  I can find out where to get this excellent
> referrence book for you, if you like.
>
> >From the SE of the North,
> Ross.
>
> Ross Mayhew: Schooner Specimen Shells:
Http://www.schnr-specimen-shells.com
> "Shells to write home about!!"
> Phone: (902) 876-2241; Fax: (902) - 479 - 1863
> Snail Mail: 349 Herring Cove Rd, P.O Box 20005, Halifax, N.S., Canada,
> B3R 2K9.
>