Date:         Sat, 19 Jun 2004 17:19:12 -0400
Reply-To:     Conchologists of America List <CONCH-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Sender:       Conchologists of America List <CONCH-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         "Harry G. Lee" <shells@HGLEE.COM>
Subject:      Re: Bittium and Diastoma
In-Reply-To:  <BAY5-F17UUE3IzADBLY000501e2@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

Dear Ryan,

Joe Houbrick (1977) described the genus Bittium based on several species he 
perceived as congeners.  He commented "larvae planktotrophic with bilobed, 
colorless velum ... larval shell about 2 1/2 whorls, smooth except for 
median spiral ridge on 2nd whorl .... outer lip with tongue-shaped beak."

The three species were "Bittium reticulatum, B. varium, and several other 
species from throughout the range of the genus."  Shortly afterward, in the 
same paragraph, he then commented: "Marcus and Marcus (1963) wrote an 
extensive paper on the anatomy of Bittium varium in which they also 
described and figured gametes, egg mass and larvae."

I have examined the protoconch of Diastoma varium (Pfeiffer, 1840), and, 
although it is often eroded, when intact it is exactly as described above.

Based on protoconch anatomy and the observations attributed to the 
Marcuses, I think it is a near certainty that this species is planktotrophic.

Harry

Houbrick, R. S., 1977.  Reevaluation and new description of the genus 
Bittium (Cerithiidae). The Veliger 20(2): 101-106 + 1 pl. Oct. 1.

Marcus, Er.and Ev. B.Marcus,1963.  Mesogastropoden von der Küste von São 
Paulo. Adhandl. Math.-Naturwissench. Klasse Akad. Wiss. & Lit. Mainz 1: 
1-105; 86 figs. [not seen]


At 05:44 PM 6/11/2004, you wrote:
>Hello!
>Can anyone tell me about reproduction in Diastoma (formerly Bittium) varium
>in particular or the group in general? I specifically want to know if they
>have a planktonic larvae...if so, is it lecithotrophic or planktotrophic?
>
>Thank you!
>
>Ryan
>
>
>
>
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>Ryan M. Moody
>Dauphin Island Sea Lab
>101 Bienville Boulevard
>Dauphin Island, AL 36528
>(251) 861-7532
>(251) 861-7540 (fax)

Harry G. Lee
Suite 500
1801 Barrs St.
Jacksonville, FL 32204
USA
Voice: 904-384-6419
Fax: 904-388-6750
<shells@hglee.com>
Visit the Jacksonville Shell Club Home Page at:
www.jaxshells.org

oo .--.     oo .--.      oo .--.
   \\(____)_ \\(____)_ \\(____)_
     `~~~~~~ `~~~~~~ `~~~~~~

[text/html]