Hi All, There is a very interesting writeup in this month's Internet HSN detailing the collection of several conus adamsonii near Aitutaki, in the south Cook Islands. The article states that even though the territory varied from small gravel/rubble to shallow sand channels, the depth at which they were found was consistently near 60 feet, never much more or less. Is this typical of other adamsonii localities, or does the collecting depth for this species vary from place to place? RK&K lists the habitat as "Intertidal to 60 m," so it certainly sounds quite variable. I have read stories of this species being collected intertidally, but only in the wake of a major storm or cyclone. I'm sure there are several Conch-L'ers who have collected this species alive, and others who have specimens with fairly exact collection data. I would appreciate hearing from either group. Collecting stories may be of interest to several on the list, but if you are forwarding data on your specimens, please just send it directly to me off the list: [log in to unmask] I must admit that it intrigues me that a species would be found in such a narrow depth range. It's not the first time I've seen this, however. I've seen vexillum stainforthi advertised for sale, with the collection data showing Okinawa, 120 feet on sand. In Samoa, they are found on fairly coarse sand slopes, from 60 to 65 feet deep. Not 55 feet or 70 feet! You can watch your depth gauge as you descend, and when it reads 60, you will see the stainforthis. The depth has been consistent for every place in Samoa that I've found them. The adults as well as the juveniles seem to occupy this same narrow range. Below 70 feet, the same areas may have a stray cypraea mappa or a herd of conus quercinus. Above 60 feet, maybe a cypraea talpa out for a stroll, and hundreds (if not thousands) of juvenile vexillum sanguisugum. You never find an adult sanguisugum in these areas, but a few hundred meters away in shallow water (5 to 15 feet) you may find scattered adults. Apparently they move into shallower water as they mature, unlike the stainforthis. Are there other species that are restricted to specific depths, even when the habitat appears to be substantially the same above and below their habitation zones? Thanks, Don