All, especially Dan Y.

Frilled or not is only one of the factors that makes Nucella Lamellosa one
of the most variable species in collections.  Color and size are two others.

As to color, there are populations of only stark white individuals. Then
there are populations where white is a rarity. The colors range from shades
of white, orange, brown, gray and purple. Added to the mix of solid color
specimens are those with stripes, usually of white, mixed with the colors
listed above.

Some of these colors are in such stark contrast to the animal's surroundings
that a person has to wonder how such a trait could continue to exist at all.
For example, there are places on the Oregon coast where BRIGHT orange
specimens live in the intertidal rocks. I can spot these from 100 FT away.
Surely such coloration is little help in avoiding predators (given that some
may see only in black and white). These orange individuals usually exist
along with other colors of N. lamellosa.

Then there is a difference in size. In some locations you seldom find a
specimen over 40mm in other locations individuals over 80mm are not
uncommon. In these locations it is oblivious that almost all specimens under
50mm are juvenile with undeveloped lips.

The variation in color seems to have little relation to location. There are
populations of white N. lamellosa in quiet bays as with populations of
colored individuals.

Size, however, might have some relation to environment. Food sources must be
considered, and, I have not. But, I can say that smaller specimens tend to
be found on open rocky coastlines as compared to sheltered areas where the
LUNKERS live.

As with Dan's wonderful examples in Of Sea and Shore, there are a few
examples of local size and coloration on Mr. Hardy's Internet Guide web site
http://www.gastropods.com/1/Shell_3001.html  (second frame) By the way the
purple one (center) slowly faded to light brown. So take pictures of these
soon following collection.

Russ

P.S. any advise on collecting in N. Queensland Aust. would be appreciated. I
do already have the section maps listing collecting areas and reserves. But
a few local collecting pointers would be great.

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