Good question, in the case of fresh water mussels (unionidae) the male
shells are generally fatter then the females. This seems to be typical in
most fresh water bivalves. Mark James Bethke
-----Original Message-----
From: Scott E Jordan <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thursday, June 25, 1998 11:21 PM
Subject: sexual dimorphism
 
 
>This is a topic that I have found myself wondering about before.  I don't
>believe that I have ever seen distinctions made indicating morphological
>differences between the shells of a molluscan specie's male and female.  It
>is certainly common amoungst chordates.  Anyone out there who can enlighten
>us on instances in the molluscan fauna?
>
>Scott Jordan
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Paul Monfils <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Thursday, June 25, 1998 7:26 AM
>Subject: Re: Cymatium raderi -Reply
>
>
>>Hello Gijs,
>>
>>That possibility (so called sexual dimorphism) is always worth
>>investigating when two similar forms live in close proximity.
>>However, in the case of Cymatium raderi and Cymatium femorale, the
>>geographic separation  of the two forms rules out that possibility.
>>
>>Paul M.
>