In 1973, my husband was working in Georgia and had the chance to collect on
some of the barrier islands off the northern part of the Georgia coast. In a
group of about 30 specimens ranging from full grown down to about 3" long, 4
were "snow white" and one of the juveniles had had the siphonal canal broken
almost off. When it repaired the damage, it did so with the original canal
at about a 80 degree angle deviation. It literally points at 1 O'clock! Not
satisfied with its accomplishment, the animal had then created a second,
functional siphonal canal in the normal position extending from under the
broken one.
-----Original Message-----
From: William M. Frank <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Saturday, September 23, 2000 5:12 PM
Subject: Busycon


>Over the past ten years Busycotypus canaliculatus (Linnaeus, 1758)
>have not been particularly common on N. E. Florida (Duval Co.) beaches
>with Busycon sinistrum and Busycon carica being the dominant species.
>However, over the past two years, B. canaliculatus has become the
>most common species (don't ask me why). Interestingly, a large
>percentage of B. canaliculatus found have a "snow white shell" with
>no coloration at all.  This morning I examined 38 specimens of which
>five were pure white.  The coloration of the animal was no different
>than those which produced normally colored shells.
>
>Other than Harry Lee and Phil Poland who have an albino specimen(s)
>in their collection, I would be interested in hearing from others who
>have collected pure white specimens or have pure white specimens
>in their collection in regards to where they were collected, how
>common they were in the resident population, and the size. Thanks in
>advance.
>
>PS:  Digital images (JPEG) of the living five white specimens are
>available on request.
>
>Regards,
>
>Bill Frank
>1865 Debutante Dr.
>Jacksonville, FL 32246-8645
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