There is no doubt that some Indo Pacific species can be found living in Florida waters - expecially near busy commercial shipping ports - obviously due to ballast water exchange/dumping. One instance of a foreign import turning up is chronicled on our home page (past newsletter articles - H.G. Lee) where the species caused considerable problems at a local power plant (Northside Generating Station). Circa. 1993, Mary Bukstel (Broward Shell Club) collected alive adult Pinctada mazatlanica (Hanley, 1856) during a dive off Boynton Beach at a depth of 90 feet. The identification was confirmed by Tucker Abbott. I have subsequently heard that additional specimens have been found. I can also recollect reports of Miami Beach, upon occasion, being "salted" with shells some 20-30 years ago. Likewise, some Caribbean species can be found in areas where they obviously never lived. Earlier this year while shelling the Halifax River at Port Orange with P. Poland and Marlo Krisberg, I found a dead adult Cittarium pica - obviously placed there by someone discarding the shell. 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