Ilyanassa obsoleta has been one of the most studied species that I have ever seen. Am. Midl. Nat. 138:224-229 recently included an article giving details of a a study that was done to determine why the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) do not eat Ilyanassa obsoleta. The study found that Ilyanassa shells were 2-3 times more resistant to crushing than Littorina irrorata, Uca spp. and Callinectes sapidus, which are commonly consumed by the terrapin. "High processing costs for mud snails (in terms of structural resistance to crushing) may deter predation by terrapins despite the low search costs and and equivalent energetic returns relative to alternative prey items." Bill Frank 1865 Debutante Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32246-8645 Phone/FAX: (904) 724-5326 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Visit the Jacksonville Shell Club Home Page at: http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/wfrank/jacksonv.htm