Peter Froehlich wrote:
>
> I had always understood that D. variabilis "migrated"up and down beaches to
> remain in the ideal wash zone.  This requires that the shell remain free of
> growths like algae or barnicles. When collecting on one of the Sea islands
> in Georgia though I observed D. variabilis that had algae growing on the
> posterior end of the shell.  The algae is visible above the sand surface
> but it appeared to form a growth too thick to allow the clam to move about.
>  It might serve to catch food that is then pulled in by the siphon but I am
> guessing.
> Has anyone else observed this same sort of algal growth on D. varabilis?
> Any ideas as to whether it helps or hurts the clam's survival and how?
Hi, Peter,
        We've collected lots of D. variabilis, and have never seen any with
algae - from North Carolina, Florida, or NJ (rarely.)  They've always
been very mobile, both in individual sites and as large groups.  Just
about when you're ready to scoop up a big mess of them for chowder 0
honest - they suddenly disappear, en masse, and shos up at another
stretch of surf.
        Betty R.