Marcus,

I still wonder whether this was an effect of moisture. The periostracum
might have been drying out faster than the calcium carbonate shell. This
would lead to a diference in expansion or contraction between the two
layers. This difference would lead to the cracking and explosions that we
were discussing.

> The shell can crack and explode if submitted to a quick change of
> temperature.
>
> The specimen I had was on my desk and got direct sunlight on a cool day.
>
> After this I kept all specimens inside a foam box to prevent temperature
> changes.
>
> Marcus



Regards,
Charlie
.................................................
Research Associate - Section of Mollusks
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Assistant Professor - Family Medicine
Fellow-American Academy of Family Practice
Fellow-Academy of Wilderness Medicine

----------------------------------------------------------------------
[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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------