>Not following this one!  The embedded prismatic cells in the shell are
>created by the mantle of the animal.  Yes, I realize they are structurally
>different than the soft parts pigments, but if the animal cannot secrete
>melanin say, than this should be lacking in both shell and soft parts.
>Different process but same origin, what am I missing?
>
>Tom Eichhorst (writing this before my first cup of coffee - dedicated...)


>But---from whence would come the pigments used in  creating this
>"normally patterned" shell??
>
>Kay

These are "waste" products produced by normal metabolism, not
genetically-controlled tissue pigmentation (gee, am I spouting crap
here?)

I can't say for sure that they would occur in an albino snail, but it
seems lilkely (to me, at least). Anyone actually know?
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin
New Zealand
Fossil preparator
<[log in to unmask]>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut

----------------------------------------------------------------------
[log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs
To leave this list, click on the following web link:
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1
Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and
click leave the list.
----------------------------------------------------------------------