The thin lip is usually a juvenile.  I got a gorgeous peach one in the
Bahamas this summer.   The thick lip and dark gray is usually an older
species.  They get what we call "the black lip disease"!

-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of David Kirsh
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 2:41 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Strombus costatus

Speaking of Strombus costatus, I've been wanting to know if there's an
explanation for the two forms I've encountered.

One is relatively thin, with refined sculpturing, as in the Bahamas.

The other is heavy, coarse, very thick-lipped, with dark gray on the outer
lip and parietal area as in St. Martin, not very far from the Bahamas.

The habitats are similar, seems to me.

Have other sculptural variations been found? Are they named?

David Kirsh
Durham, NC