Mary: I have seen a goodly number of empty Chaetopterus tubes washed
up on the beach of Dog Island in the N. Gulf of Mexico, but not what I
would call "mass". However, for my Biology of the Seashore course which
I teach every January on Dog Island I use as one of my texts a book called
Florida's Fabulous Seashells, mainly because it does a good job of
illustrating, with colorful photos, most of the organisms that we are likely to
see in that area of the Gulf. The book not only illustrates shells, but other
flora and fauna as well. On page 39 of the book is information on the
Parchment Tube Worm, including two color photos. Both photos show a
"mass washup" of Chaetopterus tubes These are large tubes, 12" or more,
and are the tubes of the worm I have been interested in studying on Dog
Island. The photo's do not indicate on what beach in Florida the photo was
taken.
Florida's Fabulous Seashells. 1988. Winston Williams. World
Publications, Tampa, FL. 112 pp. ISBN: 0-911977-05-8
Hope this helps. Floyd
Floyd R. Sandford Phone: (319)-399-8576
Dept. of Biology, Coe College FAX: (319)-399-8748
Cedar Rapids, IA, 52402 e-mail: fsandfor at coe.edu
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