Dear Paul and Conchlers,

the meaning of fornication in my dictionary is als sexual offence or lewdness and maybe
the name derives as many or most specimens of Crepidula fornicata are sittin attached on
each other, so that there is a chain growing. So maybe they look also as an arch, which
seems to be the best explanation for Crepidula fornicata.
with best shelling greetings
Helmut

Helmut "Helix" Nisters
Franz-Fischer-Str. 46
A-6020 Innsbruck / Austria / Innsbruck
phone and fax: 0043 / 512 / 57 32 14
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
web:    www.netwing.at/nisters/

office:
Natural History Department of the
Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum Innsbruck
Feldstrasse 11 a
A-6020 Innsbruck / Austria / Europe
phone: 0043 / 512 / 58 72 86 - 37

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Hi Again Linda :-)
        Ha!  I can answer that one!  Yes, all little Crepidula are males,
and they gradually change to females as they grow up.  You often find them
in piles with several larger females on the bottom, several smaller males on
top of the stack, and a few transitional forms in the middle.  BUT - that
has nothing to do with the name!  I found this out about a year ago when I
posted my long-held belief that "fornicata" was a reference to their
orgiastic style of reproductive behavior.  NOT SO, I was soundly informed
(and was also advised to take a cold shower).  Apparently "fornicata" refers
to the fact that they are shaped like a fornix, or arch.  B-o-r-i-n-g or
what?  However, the word "fornication" apparently derives from the same
root, because "ladies of the night" used to hang out under these archways,
waiting for "customers".
        As for the genus, that's easier.  Crepidula is Latin for "slipper"
or "sandal".  Hence the common name of the group - slipper shells.
        Paul M.