Ellen;

You are asking questions that most of us have been asking for years, These
unanswered questions show how little we know about the Xenophora, perhaps
the December issue of the American Conchologist will help you understand
them more. Until then we will have to wait until Dr. Simone finishes his
study.

Harry
----- Original Message -----
From: Ellen Bulger <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2001 1:49 PM
Subject: xenophora questions


> Hi folks,
>
> I was looking at some of the spiffy shells I picked up with the Cordys in
> Eleuthera last week and some questions sprang to mind.
>
> This one particular xenophora I was admiring, I collected live on the back
> side of the glass window bridge. Eleuthera is a long stringbean of an
island
> and this is its thinnest point. The bridge, in particular, takes a beating
in
> storms and has washed out more than once during hurricanes. The area under
> and around the bridge is filled with rock and rubble from washouts.
>
> This one xeno has no shell attachments. It was a rock collector, my first
> carrier with this predilection. I was holding it, enjoying its satisfying
> heft and wondering if its rocks were from Hurricane Floyd rubble.
>
> This got me to thinking and raised many questions. How long do xenophora
> live, as a general rule? At what age are they what size? How often do they
> add to their collection of attachments? Are there regular intervals or is
the
> growth and attachment process affected by things like water temp, day
length
> or food supply?
>
> Thanks, in advance, for all info and replies,
> Ellen
>
> who has reverted to veliger stage, checking in on a friend's computer.
>