Dear Andrew,

     I agree to all your information which is all possible.  I already clean
what I got and they are very nice with differrent pattern and some are
almost black and some are light colour.  I measure it all and I got the
biggest which reaches to 85mm really a GIANT SIPHONARIIDAE.  The normal
siphonariidae stay from rocks, big rocks from the shore. This stay from
Mountain rocks and to remove it I ask the helps of the locals and they used
Big Torch to release them and sometimes they fall to the sea and they have
to dive it to bring it back.  I will prepare a photo and if you wish I can
send you an attachment.

     Best Regards,

     Tony dela Cruz



Antonio S. dela Cruz
l4 Esperanza st., Tinajeros,
Malabon City, Philippines l404

TEL/FAX (632) 288 3993

Website: http://www.tonyshells.bravepages.com





>From: Andrew Grebneff <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Giant Siphonariidae
>Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2003 22:15:34 +1300
>
>>Dear fellow Conch-lers,
>>
>>     Thank you very much Andrew for your good information.  Siphonaridae
>>is
>>also very common to Philippines but this size first time and I discover
>>the
>>area and not much.  Normal size that we have is averaging 30mm.
>>
>>     Best Regards,
>>
>>     Tony
>
>I don't personally know of any siphonariid species which normally
>grows as large as B. obliquata (though if there is, I wouldn't mind
>being told); 30mm is generally a pretty good size for members of the
>family. Your beastie may be abnormal, possibly parasitized; I do know
>that Cerithium parasitized by cestodes (tapeworms) can have their
>gonads destroyed, which messes-up hormone production; these specimens
>can live long and grow far larger than normal.
>--
>Andrew Grebneff
>Dunedin, New Zealand
>64 (3) 473-8863
><[log in to unmask]>
>Fossil preparator
>Seashell, Macintosh & VW/Toyota van nut
>________________________________
>I want your sinistral gastropods!
>________________________________
>Opinions in this e-mail are my own, not those of my institution
>_______________________________________________
>Q: Because it reverses the logical flow of conversation.
>A: Why is top posting frowned upon?

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