Lambis is probably the most noted for diversified shells. Did it ever
accrue to any one that if the L. lambis male spines grow up for matting,
why don't the rest of the family do the same?
I for one would really like to know if the is an answer
 
Harry Berryman
Xenophora Nut
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Glassboro NJ
 
Paul Monfils wrote:
 
> In Cassis cornuta, the horned helmet, one of the largest gastropods,
> the male shell has a row of several large blunt spines around the
> shoulder of the shell.  The female has a larger number of much
> smaller, more pointed tubercles.
> In Lambis lambis, the common spider conch, the lip spines of the
> female are markedly upturned, while those of the male protrude almost
> straight out from the lip.  This (I have read) allows the shells to
> fit together better during mating.
> In Viana regina, a Cuban land snail, the male has a deep indentation
> or notch in the lip, while the lip of the female is straight, with no
> sign of such an indentation.
> Question:  How many cases of dimorphism exist where no-one has yet
> checked to see if it might be gender-related?
> Paul M.
> Rhode Island