HI, CONCH-Lers!

I recently acquired two sets of Donax that  tell an interesting story.  The first were collected a few months ago in the Gulf; they were very numerous, gorgeous colors, but small and semi-translucent.   Then I came across a large set of Donax in 200 lbs. of mostly junky, broken beach shells.  They are most likely from Florida, but collected decades ago.   They are huge, compared to the recent set, and thick enough to be essentially opaque.   They are also more pastel on the outside than the recent set.  But they have lain for years; even in the dark, they would probably have faded.  But the interiors are glossy and quite colorful.

I would hazard a guess that this reflects the change in the environment - more food, less polution, etc.

I wonder if some of you can cite similar changes in other species (some of which have almost disappeared, at least for beach/shallow water collecting).   I need not comment on the causative factors.

Cordially,
Linda

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