If albinism is caused by a recessive gene then it seems that albinism would
be more common in species that  do not have a free swimming veliger stage
and brood their young within the mantle cavity.  Do strombus, busycons or
rose cockles brood their young within the mantle cavity?

Beth
Whitefield, Maine

-----Original Message-----
From: Peggy Williams <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Friday, October 22, 1999 10:31 AM
Subject: Re: Albino Strombus


>>Also, in answer to your rarity question, Don BArclay, I have a friend
>>whose mother collected on the flats at Marco for many years. I would
estimate that she has about
>>15 albino or albinistic Strombus alatus, all with Marco data.
There must be some environmental factor or genetic strain
>>that causes so many white-if-not-albino shells to occur there>
>Peggy
>
>Visit my website at http://www.mindspring.com/~shellelegant
>                                  Peggy Williams
>                                   Shell Elegant
>                 PO Box 575     *     Tallevast FL 34270
>          (941) 355-2291  *   [log in to unmask]
>