>I was in California recently and collected a shell that I am having trouble
>identifying. I think that it might be an immmature Pteropurpura festivus.
>It is 22mm in size and has the lines, orifice shape and closed siphonal
>canal of P festivus but none of those flaps on the knobs. Does P.
>festivus not develop those flat varices until they are larger/more mature?
>
>Beth DeHaas
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Betty,
Yes, you may have a P. festivus. The immature form has slight or
no varices. Check with the Los Angeles Museum of natural History (Dr.
James McLean or Lindsey Groves). I have collected P. Festiva and have
found many different maturity levels and variations in sizes.
Good luck.
Dan
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Dan & Hiromi Yoshimoto
1164 Vista Dr.
Eureka, California
95503-6018
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