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
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