Hi, all from the east coast of Florida which is getting international press
as the sharks are feeding on our surfers.
An interesting topic on the Scaphander, as I have wondered the same thing
about those plates.  Do other shells "boa constrictor" their prey like
that?  Are there any readily available scientific papers on this
phenomenon?
Alan Gettleman
Merritt Island, FL

See you at COA-Sarasota July 2002, if not sooner!

Paul Monfils wrote:

> Scaphandridae (or Cylichnidae if you prefer) are predators which engulf
> rather large shelled prey whole.  The auxilliary plates, together with
> associated muscles, constitute a crushing mechanism for the prey.
>
> Paul M.