Bill:

This response is coming more from a geochemical standpoint (being a
geochemist) rather than being an "Olive" nut.  Were these specimens found
live or dead, or partially buried in mud?  The greenish color is very
reminiscent of ferrous iron (a reduced form of iron that occurs in some
muds, particularly below the surface of the sediment).  That is why I asked
if it was collected live or dead.  Looks like they were partially buried in
a "reducing mud environment" (low in oxygen) where ferrous iron would occur
and possibly be incorporated in the shell structure.  If so, the green
color will be unstable with age and tend to turn into "ferric" (oxidized)
iron which is "rust" colored.

Just a guess?

Paul


At 12:47 AM 10/27/99 -0400, you wrote:
>Over the years I have examined a goodly number of Oliva sayana and
>have seen colors ranging from the normal colour to snow white with
>a lot of variation in between  - including gold (form citrina), some
>which might be best descibed has having an rough "orange skin"
>surface, and even "corded" specimens. Tucker Abbott (American
>Seashells - 1974) even describes a lavender form.
>
>Recently a member of this list collected a "green form."  Was curious if
>anyone else out there in Conch-L land has ever collected an O. sayana
>with any green coloration?  See:
> http://home.mindspring.com/~strombus/green.htm
>
>All who have viewed the "green" specimen agree that algae inclusion played
>no part in the colouration.
>
>Bill Frank
>1865 Debutante Dr.
>Jacksonville, Florida 32246
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>Attachment Converted: "c:\eudora\attach\Oliva sayana - green color.url"
>