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VOLUME XV NO. 1

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OCTOBER, 1978

The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST is the official publication of the Houston Conch-
cology Society, Inc., and is published quarterly at Houston, Texas. It
is distributed as part of the dues to all members.

The Society holds regular meetings the fourth Wednesdays of the follow-
ing months: August, September, October, January, February, March, April
and May. The meeting is held the third Wednesday in November. Meetings
are held at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Caroline Street in
Hermann Park, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST is published October, January, April and July.

It is mailed postpaid to regular members in U.S. postal zones. Overseas
members will be charged additional postage. Only one copy will be mailed
a family membership.

Dues extend from the beginning of the fiscal year of June | through May
31. However, the July issue of the TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST each year is the
fourth quarterly due on the regular dues year beginning June 1 of the
previous year. Memberships will be accepted throughout the year but will
receive the quarterlies of that fiscal year. Members receive meeting
Newsletters and have all other privileges provided by the Society's by-
laws.

RATES AND DUES

Family membership $6.00
Single membership $5.00
Student membership $2.00
Single Issues $1.50

Extra sets mailed members $5.00
(Postage for overseas members required)

EDITOR CIRCULATION
Constance E. Boone Mr. and Mrs. Sam Miron
668-8252 723-3628
3706 Rice Boulevard 5238 Sanford Street
Houston, Texas 77005 Houston, Texas 77035

EDITORIAL STAFF

Helmer Odé W. W. Sutow Herschel S. Sands

664-9942 748-7233 772-6613
4811 Braeburn Drive 4371 N. MacGregor Way 8902 Cadawac Road

Bellaire, Texas 77401 Houston, Texas 77004 Houston, Texas 7/7074

The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST accepts contributions for publication from ama-
teurs, students, and professionals, subject to approval by the Editor.
Manuscripts should be typed, double spaced and should be in the hands of
the Editor the first day of the month preceding publication dates.
Photos accompanying such material are welcomed.

FROM THE EDITOR

Beginning with this issue, the Texas Conchologist will be published
quarterly the months of October, January, April, and July. We request
that copy be in the hands of the Editor by the first day of the preced-
ing month of publication.

We hope that you like some of the changes in format. There will prob-
ably be more improvements from time to time as we develop the possibil-
ities of new style due to the change in printer.

We are very happy to acknowledge the addition of a new staff member ,
Herschel Sands, who has been instrumental in securing the services of a
new printer. Publishing the Texas Conchologist will not cost the society
more because we are able to have the publication printed by a non-profit
organization. Herschel has helped to plan the new cover and has been,
and will continue, serving as our typist so that our material is uniform-
ly presented for offset printing.

We are open to suggestions for new features for our quarterly. We solicit
your short or long articles about your observations of Texas mollusks or
your adventures elsewhere. Suggestions on cleaning, housing, studying,

or finding mollusks are welcome.

Constance E. Boone

SOMETHING NEW FOR YOU

The Houston Conchology Society has adopted the Epitonium angulatum (Say,
1830) as its official seashell, and we have incorporated it into our new
logo, patch and name tag. Patches and name tags are available thru
Herschel S. Sands, 8902 Cadawac Road, Houston, Texas 77074, phone number
(713) 772-6613 (evenings), or (713) 790-4511 (Monday thru Friday, 8:00 A.M.
to 5:00 P.M.). The patch is $2.00 and the name tag is $5.00.

If you live out of the city, Herschel will be happy to mail your order to
you, otherwise the order will be delivered to the next regular meeting.

Don't delay - order today!!!

SEARCH AND SEIZURE By Constance E. Boone

Our new logo, developed from the design from the society's new patch
available now to members, finally puts us in the category of shell clubs
represented by specific shells.

Epitonium angulatum was chosen after discussion at a board meeting last
year where it became evident that several shells we might have selected
were already firmly in use by other clubs. The Galveston Shell Club
uses the left-handed whelk, Busycon perversum, so do the San Antonio
Shell Club and a Florida shell club. Murex fulvescens is used by a club
and is the well-known figure on Mildred Tate's stationery. The Coastal
Bend Shell Club of Corpus Christi, Texas, uses Amaea mitchelli, a much-
prized epitonid named for an early Texas collector.

The board thought about various bivalves. Helmer Odé would like us to
use a bivalve! However, at present we have featured a bivalve, Tellina
alternata, on our membership cards, and since there is some discussion
about this species and another species or subspecies, T. tayloriana,
mingled in our area, it seemed unwise to choose this complex. Actually,
we seemed to want something to look good on the patch and on our new mem-
bership name tags, and we ended up choosing Epitonium angulatum which is
a beautiful, glossy white, one-inch staircase or wentletrap shell that
can be found up and down the Texas coast, sometimes in great numbers.

I have never thought there was much of a problem about identifying E.
angulatum according to the literature. Now, for me anyway, I have "opened
up a can of worms". Thomas Say, often called the "father of American
malacology", was the author of many of our common land, freshwater and
marine shells, including this species. William J. Clench and Ruth D.
Turner monographed Epitoniums, and Number 30 of Johnsonia discusses the
synonomy and history of this species. Say's type specimen was unknown
when the monograph was written, and I have not heard that a type speci-
men has been located.

Using the Johnsonia Monograph, I reviewed the synonomy of E. angulatum.
It follows:
"Scalaria clathrus angulata Say 1830
American Conchology, #3, pl. 27, two upper figures

(South coast of the United States.)

Scalaria turbinata Conrad 1837, Journal Academy Natural
Sciences Philadelphia #7, p. 263, pl. 20, fig. 26
(near Beaufort, North Carolina).

Scala angulata Say, Pilsbry 1890, Nautilus #3, p. 106."

What could I find out by reading about this species in the literature
available to me?

In Johnsonia, Dr. Clench and Dr. Turner restricted the type locality to
Charleston, South Carolina, an area from which they said Say had received
much material. They said the range was from Long Island to Florida (but
not the Keys) and to Texas. Dr. Tucker Abbott in 1974's edition of Ameri-
can Seashells adds that Rios lists this species from Brazil.

O.K., I have no type to compare our specimens with. I have many modern
pictures. What can I learn from the early descriptions and figures I can,
see here. I do not have Say's original material, but I am able to read

Say's original discussion in Binney's compilation of the "complete writings

of Thomas Say on the conchology of the United States". The plates were
printed from the original coppers of American Conchology. Here, I note

the first mystery for me. Johnsonia, and Abbott, 1974, both list this
species as (Say, 1830). The Binney edition lists Say's description of
variety c which is angulata as September, 1831, of Part III of American

Conchology.

Say's plate with two figures in Binney's edition looks like our angulatum.
Most professionals have thought so too.

Say described this variety c of Scalaria clathrus, a European edpitonid,
as conic, turreted, imperforate, white, immaculate, whorls 6 to 11 touch-
ing each other only by the ribs and with very narrow intervals; nine ribs
to each volution with the ribs prominent, simple, a little oblique, some-
what recurved and with a more or less obvious, obtuse angle or shoulder
above near the suture. Aperture oval-orbicular; base a little angulated;
labium distinct; length 3/5ths to 9/10th of an inch.

Say observed that the European specimens of S. clathrus were often colored
and even spotted and banded sometimes but that they didn't have obvious
angles or shoulders on the ribs near the suture. He said he had been led
to describe the American epitonid species under the name angulata (did he
do this in 1830, maybe, that I don't know about?) but that he now wished
to make it a variety of clathrus with the name angulata because our epi-
tonid was so variable and he had decided it was a form of clathrus. Or

so I interpret this.

I probably wouldn't have thought much about going into more synonomy ex-
cept for the fact that the modern literature always seems to point out

that this species of ours should not be confused with Epitonium humphreysii,
a similar species authored by Kiener in 1838 in Iconographie des Coquilles
Vivantes 10, p. 15, pl. 5, fig. 16 (Atlantic Ocean to South of Carolina),

a work not available to me. That started me on the synonomy of this species.
Sowerby in Thesaurus Conchyliorum I, pl. 86, pl. 32, fig. 5, 1847, lists

S. angulata Say and synonomizes S. humphreysii Kiener with angulata. The
plate of angulata is a good figure of what we think of as angulatum.

Next I went to Pilsbry's discussion on Scala angulata Say, in Nautilus

#3, p. 106. Pilsbry gave Dall credit for separating Say's clathrus mater-
ial in the U.S. into two species, saying that Dall had been correct in
thinking the smaller, more slender, less angulated form was separate.
However, he said that Dall's name of Scala sayana for this second form
could not be used since this was the true S. humphreysii of Kiener de-
scribed and figured many years before 1889.

Next I reread Dall's material on Epitoniums in my Blake report "reprint",
Bulletin of Museum of Comparative Zoology 18, p. 309. Dall did not make
Scala sayana a new species but simply was naming one form of Say's clathrus,
it seems to me. I have reread that first paragraph under S. sayana over
and over. It seems to me that Dall was synonomizing S. humphreysii Kiener
and Conrad's S. turbinata both under Say's angulata. Dall was describing
what he saw as the typical clathrus of Say which he said had not been

named. He said his S. sayana was more slender and more delicate than the

European "clathrus" (which he said was S. communis) and that there was a

deeper notch where the varices of one whorl joined those of the preceding
whorl, that there was a longer curve which combined the varices around
the spire, and that there was no prolongation of the anterior margin of
the lip which he said was a marked feature of S. communis of Europe.

Dall said his lots of S. sayana included some Epitoniums from Corpus
Christi, Texas.

Now I would really like to know what Kiener's description said and what
his figure was like, and I am anxious to see some of the specimens which
Dall called S. sayana.

Kiener's shells were evidently finally deposited in the Museum d'Histoire
Naturelle de Geneve, Switzerland. Have these been checked out to see
that the original specimens of E. humphreysii Kiener are still intact

and authentic? The picture of Epitonium humphreysii sent to Dr. Clench
from the Swiss museum and published in Johnsonia is puzzling to me be-
cause the specimens really don't look like the species we separate as

E. humphreysii today. Were Kiener's specimens some of the variable E.

angulatum?

There are two species, it seems, that have been confused by collectors
through the years and were originally confused by authorities doing the
naming of the species. You could make a lot of "varieties" from E.
angulatum. Professionals have been handed a large lot of Epitoniums
from beach collections and one day they would name them all E. angulatum.
Several days later they would be handed the same lot and would name them
all E. humphreysii.

Some of our common beach batches of E. angulatum exhibit specimens with
strong costae and some that are more slender, some that have no angles.

Dall did not publish a figure for his S. sayana in the report on the
Blake Gastropoda (MCS Bulletin 18) but in the U.S. National Bulletin
#37, plate 50, figure 10 is supposed to represent his S. sayana. The
curious part of this is that this is the exact figure, it seems to me,
that appears in Binney's edition of Dr. Gould's Report on the Inverte-
brata of Massachusetts, p. 312, where the figure was used for S. lineata
Say, a different species altogether (now known as E. rupicolum). The
figure is of a more slender, less-angled Epitonium and the ribs seem
heavier. I do not know what Epitonium actually was used by Binney when
he had an artist do the figure for use in his edition of Gould's report.
Dall remarked on Binney's error for this figure and said it was like his

S. sayana.

I have come to know E. humphreysii as smaller, duller white, sometimes
even silky-clothlike, often with stout, "rolled'' costae with some angles
at the shoulders. The shells we have been led to believe are E. humphrey-
sii are shells we find in the bay or near passes like San Luis Pass,
Galveston, Texas, and the ship channel near the Coast Guard Station at
South Padre Island, Texas. I have seen and have specimens from the East
coast that agree with my understanding of this species. Collectors there
send these kind of specimens to me as E. humphreysii. There is a con-
sistency of thickness of the costae, never bladelike in look. While I
would have once tried to pick out E. humphreysii from beach collections
of Epitoniums, I now would not confuse humphreysii specimens with the

shinier, usually more globose, sharper costaed E. angulatum I find a-
long our coast. The whole batches washing in several times at Mata-
gorda, for instance, when I picked up hundreds live, were E. angulatun,
variable but still E. angulatum. Although there were some other species
in these bountiful harvests, I would not pick out humphreysii from those
live batches.

Even when very young, the two species I find can be determined. The
puzzle in my mind is the question whether what I am determining here is
E. humphreysii is what was named the second species years ago. Were
they all part of E. angulatum? Someday I'd like to really investigate
this by seeing the early collections and the original literature and
figures. You see, humphreysii often, to me, has angles, almost right
angles; the angles are certainly more obtuse in angulatum. They are
thick and not sharp for humphreysii, often sharp and thin for angulatum.

This has been an exercise in study. I can't settle the questions I have
at this time. But I shall certainly continue to collect Epitoniums,
preserve them, offer them to professionals who wish to study them. Some-
day some new study will help solve the problems.

Meanwhile, I promise to help every club member collect the society's
shell, E. angulatum, and maybe even E. humphreysii: Next time you see
me fall behind on the sand bars on a field trip at San Luis Pass and
carefully examine each tiny trail you may be sure I'm looking for
Epitoniums: I may even growl at you if you tramp down these trails.

Epifonium clathrus Linné.

Drawn +rom one-inch Specimen
in authers collection.

‘SCOPING THE MEMBERS

By Tina Petway

Recently I learned that a number of you were under the impression that
this series of articles was discussing Microscopes. We are not dis-
cussing microscopes; we are taking a close look at the people who make

up the membership of the Houston Conchology Society. As you use a micro-
scope to discover details of a shell, so this series' purpose is to help
you discover details about each other so we know each other better.
Therefore, we have changed our title.

In 1973, Ruby McConnell became an active member of H.C.S. She began her
shelling interests while walking Galveston's beaches with her late hus-
band, Bill Ray. They picked up live olives and large cardiums and won-
dered how to find out more about them. So Ruby called the Public Library
and they said to call the Houston Museum of Natural Science. She found
out there was a shell club and attended one of our shell shows at a local
shopping mall, met some of our group and decided to join H.C.S. While on
a field trip to Christmas Bay Connie Boone showed Margie Woods and her
how to dig angel wings. After that experience she became an avid self-
collector of shells.

Ruby began working with Dr. Helmer Odé in 1973 by typing his notes on
the Northwest Gulf Survey. She continued in this capacity until a year
ago when she moved to Austin, Texas. Ruby has also served as Field Trip
Vice-President, was on the Board of Directors and was Corresponding Sec-
retary for two years.

Ruby mainly collects Murex and Epitoniums and loves going through bushels
of shell dredgings. She is married to Tom McConnell who is a Chemical
Engineer in research at Jefferson Chemical in Austin. Since moving to
Austin, Ruby has also become interested in fresh water clams and in
fossils. Tom is interested in photography and fish, and Ruby is sure
to get him interested in shells. Read her article on shelling at a
Washington oyster farm this issue.

KKK

6

About seven years ago Rosemary Habermacher was bitten by the "Shell Bug".
For years she had picked up shells from Sargent Beach where her parents
had a house near by. Then about the same time in 1971 two things occurred
which developed a serious interest in shells. A friend of hers, Mary
Myers, showed her some shells she had bought. And seeing them, plus the
fact that I had recently married her brother Frank whom I had also gotten
interested in shells, Rosemary became a serious collector. Shelling has
been a family affair for us all ever since.

Rosemary's husband, Steve, is an accomplished musician on accordian,
organ and piano, and is a real estate broker. Steve also loves sailing
and outdoor activities. They have a son Paul, 13, and a daughter Rose-
mary who is 7.

Rosemary's special favorites are in the Cypraea, Murex and Cone families
and bivalves in general. She enjoys showing her shells at competitive
shell shows. Her exhibits have won numerous awards. Among them are
Best of Class - Cypraea, Best of Class - Murex, Best of Division Trophy
for a display of dredged material, plus two Shell of the Show Trophies
and many Blue Ribbons.

Some of Rosemary's other hobbies include painting, needlepoint and read-
ing which she manages to do while she isn't working with her shells. She
would also be interested in trading shells with someone who shares her
interests in shells.

DID YOU KNOW..... By Herschel S. Sands

.....in late 19th century London Marcus Samuel owned the "Shell Shop"
and also operated an oil transporting business? One of the specialties
of his shop was boxes ornately decorated with tropical seashells. these
boxes and those interesting shadow box pictures of shell flowers were
very popular with the Victorians. He eventually merged his oil trans-
port business with other companies in 1897 to for the oil complex we
know today as SHELL. As a reminder of its humble beginnings, the scal-
lop shell was adopted as its trademark.

Strange Stories, Amazing Facts, Reader's Digest Association,

toc.,, 1978.

.....the word "beachcomer" had its origin in America to denote a long
wave rolling in from the Pacific Ocean?

...--by legal definition, "flotsom" means strictly floating wreakage,
and “jetsom" is goods thrown over board from ships in distress to lighten

their loads?

The Seashore and Its Wildlife, Robert Burton, 1977.
.....9ea hares are generally regarded as having relatively few predators
due to their’effective dye-release mechanisms? This protective device is
of little consequence to the bailer shell, however, for it feeds voracious-
ly on large species of sea hares of the genera Aplysia and Dolabella.

Sea Frontiers, Vol. 21, No. 6, 1975.

..-.-- Pleurotomaria (slit shell) is one of the most ancient genera of
molluscs, dating back to the Ordovician period, over 500 million years

ago?
Color Treasury of Sea Shells, 1973.

7

COLLECTING ON A WASHINGTON OYSTER FARM By Ruby McConnell

Washington state accounts for approximately 10% of total U.S. production
in commercial oysters and is the leading producer on the Pacific coast.
The primary production method is cultivation of the small native Olympia
oyster Ostrea lurida and the Japanese or Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas,
the latter being the more extensively cultivated species.

The majority of production comes from intensive cultivation on intertidal
lands, presenting a highly developed aquaculture system parallelling
agriculture in that oysters are "seeded", "cultivated" and "harvested".

There are several types of common pests and predators that can damage
oysters, one of which is the oyster drill. The Japanese oyster drill,
Ceratostoma inornatum (syn. Ocenebra japonica) was imported from Japan
with the first planting of Japanese oyster seed in Samish Bay, Washington
and has become established in about 18 areas in the state.

The C. inornatum does damage by drilling a small hole in the shell and
then eating the oyster. Oysters are usually left on the growing grounds
for two to three years and during this time, as we were told by one owner,
the drills are capable of eating upwards to 90% of the seed oyster. Need-
less to say, the owner is anxious to get these pests under control, if

not completely eradicated. Farmers have even tried putting them on the

food market with some success.

While vacationing in Olympia, Washington, my desire to collect live C.
inornatum led me to Ellison Oyster Farm located on Mud Bay, Puget Sound.
We were afraid the farm would be closed since it was a Sunday, but we
drove by anyway. Luck prevailed. The owner was there preparing oysters
for shucking Monday morning. We didn't know just how lucky we actually
were until he explained that under normal circumstances the farm is closed
on Mondays, too. The pile of oysters which he was loading into a lift

to be elevated to the shucking house could not be held over until Tuesday
morning because of prolonged exposure to the abnormal heat. The day be-
fore it was 99° in Olympia ---- a new record. When we explained our rea-
son for being there, he very kindly gave us a "ground" tour and pointed
out areas in which we could collect.

Working against a 19' incoming tide, we found a few live Nucella lamellosa
at the base of a normally submerged wire cage that had tiny oysters grow-
ing on it. Popping up in the shelly mud were Clinocardium nuttallii and
as yet, some unidentified arks. Over at the mound of oysters being read-
ied for shucking, we found live C. inornatum. The only source of pro-
tection for them from the hot sun and drying air were the oysters. By
turning the oysters over and checking the moist mud below them, the C.
inornatum were exposed to our searching eyes. In less than an hour, we
found 48 live C. inornatum, 5 Nucella lamellosa, a good many Credpidulas

and a few limpets all of which were readily collected.

Time and tide did not permit a satisfyingly thorough search of the farm.
Our curiosities were only whetted and some day I'd like to return.

Many of the tidelands and most of the oyster lands are privately owned
and are not open to the general public. People wishing to collect

oysters or other shell fish should double check to determine that they
are actually on public beach areas. Information regarding the taking
of shell fish and a guide to public shell fish sites may be requested
from the State of Washington, Dept. of Fisheries, Room 115, General

Administration Bldg., Olympia, WA 98504. Be sure to also ask for their
recipe book on shell fish.

Fig. 1 Ceratostoma inornatum (Recluz, 1851) collected by Ruby
McConnell in the mud near oysters at Ellison Oyster Farm, -2.' tide, at
Olympia, Washington, July 23, 1978. This species has been introduced
to the Puget Sound area together with Japanese oysters. Measurements
are 42 mm. length, 25 mm. width, and 37 mm. length and 22 mm. width.
(photo by Constance Boone)

MONOGRAPH By H. Ode

DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA IN
THE NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO

(A Continuing Monograph)

FAMILY ARCIDAE

Genus Anadara continued:

265%.

Genus
Small

266.

Anadara (Caloosarca) catasarca Dall, 1898.

Scapharca (Anadara) catasarca Dall, Tr. W. Free Inst. Sci.,

Vob.. 3, pt..4,. pe "G04, pl; 32,. tig. 20, “see talso ref .72am
Although there is only a single lot of this strikingly differ-
ent species present in the collection of the H.M.N.S., there
is some evidence that this species may still live in the West-
ern Gulf of Mexico. Our two valves were dredged on Clay Pile
Dome, a Miocene shale uplift off the Louisiana coast. One
valve is large (54 mm.) the other small (9 mm.) and quite
characteristic for Caloosarca. This smaller valve looks fresh
and shows color spots especially on the auricle. They remind
one strongly of the color pattern on recent Anadara transversa.

About 10 years ago I saw a valve similar to the large one ob-
tained off the Mexican coast (near Vera Cruz). I suspect that
more collecting will bring to light more evidence of this in-
teresting species in the Western Gulf of Mexico where it prob-
ably survives to this day.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.

Records H.M.N.S.: 1 lot, no live material.

Depth Range: 100 feet, on Miocene shale uplift, mud bottom.

Geographical Range: Only known as Plio-Pleistocene fossil from
Florida.

Maximum Size: 54 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

Bathyarca Kobelt, 1891.
orbicular bivalves with fine radial sculpture.

Bathyarca cf. orbiculata (Dall, 1881).

Arca pectunculoides orbiculata Dall, B.M.C.Z. Vol. 9 (2)

p. 121; figure B.M.C.Z. Vol. 12 (6), p. 240; pl. Gye
This small arcid is probably widespread on deep mud bottoms
in offshore waters off Texas and Louisiana. It is small,
2.5 mm. in size, very inflated and somewhat skew in outline.
Its radial sculpture, which near the umbo is rather cancellate,
carries in some specimens almost scabrous beads close to the

margin.
Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.
Records H.M.N.S.: 13, lots, none alive.

Depth Range: 63-222 fms.

Geographical Range: Large parts of the Atlantic and Pacific
Ocean.

10

Maximum Size: 2.4 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: Also lives in the Panamanic faunal
province. Keen reported it as B. nucleata (Dall, 1906)
which on page 303 she synonymized with C. orbiculata (Dall,
1881). According to Abbott, 1974, there are many other
synonyms.

Genus Bentharca Verrill and Bush, 1898.
Close to Bathyarca, but more elongate. Teeth not separated into two
groups.

267. Bentharca spec. indet. A.
Only two lots of this minute species are present in the
H.M.N.S. collection. Under the microscope the small valves
show a fine cancellate sculpture. In shape these valves
resemble somewhat B. culebrensis Smith, 1885, which Abbott,
1974, puts in synonymy with B. asperula (Dall, 1811), but
the shape is less skew and the valves are much more inflated.
Probably the species is undescribed. I am sure they are not
juveniles, but full grown valves.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.

Records H.M.N.S.: 2 lots, one of which contains live collected
material.

Depth Range: 50-63 fms., alive at 63 fms.

Geographical Range: Unknown.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

268. Bentharca spec. indet. B.

Of this very deep water species only a single juvenile (?)
valve is in the H.M.N.S. collection. It is rather flat and
practically without any sculpture, but is smooth and shiny,
quite unusual for an arc. More material is needed before it
can be evaluated properly. Its shape is slightly skew with
a shortened anterior.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.

Records H.M.N.S.: One lot, none alive.

Depth Range: 720 fms. off the Mississippi Delta.

Geographical Range: Unknown.

Maximum Size: 3.3 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

Genus Arcopsis von Koenen, 1885.
Small, rather square and inflated arcids, with strong surface sculpture.
Ligament small, beneath the umbo.

269. Arcopsis adamsi (Dall, 1886).
I believe that Newell (1969, treatise) is correct in assign-
ing this species to the Noetiidae, because there are several
characters in which A. adamsi is similar to Noetia apart from
the striated ligament: 1) the thickened pads for muscular
attachment, which are white; 2) the shape of some juveniles
which in spite of prosogyrous beaks are reminiscent of Noetia.

This species is enormously variable and A. conradiana Dall is

11

te

iN
S
BES
NS

Figs. 2 and 3 Arcopsis adamsi, a 12 mm. long specimen collected
August 22, 1966, by divers Geis and Pierce, from 12 fms. at Buoy #1,

Heald' Bank area called Seven Sisters. Taken from debris of rock out-
crop at the location 30 miles SE of Galveston, Texas.

12

merely an elongated form without significance. As is usual,
deep water specimens tend to be much coarser in sculpture
than specimens from shallow water. The species is rare on
the beach mostly carried ashore by whipcoral (St. Joseph
Island, South Padre Island), but widespread over the Pleisto-
cene rockridges, Miocene shale uplifts and coral reefs and
rough shell bottoms.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 45, Gilbert
well No. 10, Bateson, Hardin County, Texas at 323 (?) feet;
'/, otf East. Texas.in.7/0 feet of water ;:pli-Gy\fiee 2; P47,
(with A. conradiana Dall, 1886) alive at Baker Bank, dead at
Big Southern Bank and alive at West Flower Garden; 156, com-
mon on Stetson Bank; 170, transitional shelf assemblage off
East Texas; Lo? drmcatan) iG)... 9, ste. Be

Records H.M.N.S.: 52 lots, of which 20 contain live collected
material.

Depth Range: O-/0 fms.; alive 5-55 fms.

Maximum Size: 14.0 mn.

Geographical Range: North Carolina, Florida, Texas to Brazil,
Bermuda (Abbott, 1974).

Eastern Pacific Analogue: Arcopsis solida (Sowerby, 1833) from
the West Coast of Baja California and the Gulf of Calfiornia
to Paita, Peru (Keen, 1971).

FAMILY CUCULLAEIDAE Stewart, 1930

pee forsanalysis Newell in ‘Treats Invert. Pali, Part-N. Vol. 1, p. 259-
260. It is a surprise to find a representative of this family in deep
water off the Texas Coast. A sketch of the minute valve is shown below.
Most characteristic is the almost split hinge plate, each part having 3
horizontal teeth. The outer shell is smooth. I am unable to assign
the species to a particular genus, and it very well could be placed in
a new genus. Until more
material is obtained it
seems best only to note
its presence in deep water.
The size is quite minute,
-9 mm., and until more
material is obtained it
might merely be a juvenile
of a larger species. Under
favorable light there is
the impression that there
are faint radial striae.

270. For the time being I shall refer to this species as Cucullaea
spec. indet. A.
Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.
Records H.M.N.S.: One lot of one valve.
Depth Range: 500 fms. off the Texas Coast in mud (27924'-94918').
Geographical Range: Unknown.
Maximum Size: .9 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

13

FAMILY NOETIIDAE Stewart, 1930

Most authors regard this family as a subfamily of the Arcidae, but

in several respects its members are different especially in the shape
of the juvenile shells. Further criteria are the lack of a byssal gape
and the presence of a vertically striated ligament. In the N.W. Gulf
of Mexico only a single species. Sources: Keen, 1971, Sea Shells of
Tropical West America; N. D. Newell, Treat. Invert. Pal., Vol N, Part
1, p. 261; McNeil and Stearns, 1938, U.S.G.S. Prof. Paper 189A. ?

Genus Noetia Gray, 1857.

It is customary to assign the only species in our region to the subgenus
Eontia McNeil, 1938. This subgenus is more inflated and has coarse bi-
furcating costae, instead of simple costae as in Noetia s.s.

271. Noetia (Eontia) ponderosa (Say, 1822).
I find the taxonomy of this species quite confusing. Whether
one wants to consider the Noetiidae as a separate family or
lower its rank to a subfamily in the Arcidae is here considered
a point of minor importance. What concerns us rather is the
relation of the several genera or subgenera. The subgenera
listed by Keen for the Panamanic fauna are Noetia s.s., Eontia
and Sheldonella - which on paper may seem different enough,
are in application of the criteria difficult to separate.
Especially Sheldonella (Keen, 1971, fig. 103) is precisely
shaped like a juvenile specimen (3-6 mm.) of Noetia ponderosa
of which there are hundreds in the H.M.N.S. collection. Un-
less I am completely mistaken in the shape of juvenile Noetia
ponderosa there is no doubt that N. ponderosa goes through a
"Sheldonella" stage. This fact alone is sufficient justifi-
cation for the placement of Noetia in a separate family. Next
there is some uncertainty about the criteria which separate
Noetia and Eonitia. Keen, in her account of the Panamanic
fauna presents as Eontia a species which does not appear in
the least related to Noetia ponderosa. Finally, there exists
a curious correspondence between the two Noetia s.s. species
of the Panamanic fauna and two morphs of Noetia ponderosa on
Texas beaches. The account of several so call Pleistocene
species described by McNeil in a U.S.G.S. professional paper
does not clarify the situation.

Noetia ponderosa is one of the most widespread bivalve species
along the Texas and Louisiana coasts, often taken alive from
beach drift after rough seas. The species also lives in the
saline bays (Galveston West Bay, Matagorda Bay, Corpus Christi
Bay, Laguna Madre) near the inlets. Off shore it lives to a
depth of 25 fms. on mud bottoms and Pleistocene rock ridges
(commonly only to 10-15 fms.). Thus the species lives some-
what deeper but goes less far into the bays than Lunarca
ovalis, but in general both species often live together.

Full grown Noetia has typically raised platforms for muscular
attachment.

14

Along some beaches (Sargent, Matagorda, South Padre Island)
enormously massive and large old specimens are found reach-
ing a size of 72 mm. In contrast the largest live collected
material in the H.M.N.S. collection is 55 mm., and are much
less massive in structure. These large specimens are undoubt-
edly Pleistocene in origin and I doubt that the species still
reaches this state. It is noteworthy that these Pleistocene (?)
shells correspond quite well with the Panamanic Noetia magna
McNeil, 1938. The subspecies macneili Olsson and Harbeson,
1953, is apparently a thinner shell and may be still another
morph. In contrast in offshore dredgings occasionally a
rather small compact morph is found which on first sight
could be taken for a different species. It appears to me that
also N. palmarae McNeil, 1938, and N. veroensis McNeil, 1938,
are merely morphs of Noetia ponderosa (Say, 1822). For the time
being and until convincing proof to the contrary is obtained all
these different morphs are considered here a single species,
Noetia ponderosa (Say, 1822).

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 1, Galveston;
7, listed; 15, Corpus Christi and Galveston; 18, Galveston
and Corpus Christi; 21, listed; 45, Point au Fer (Louisiana),
Galveston, Corpus Christi, var. carolinensis Conrad in Gal-
veston artesian well at 2552-2871 feet; 61, Rockport area
and islands; 62, listed for Mustang and Padre Islands; 66,
Marine Pleistocene of Texas; 6/7, Port Isabel; 69, listed in
appendix 8, p. 54, a common species; 98, listed for bays,
also beach Padre Island; 110, common on all Texas beaches,
pl. 6, figs. 9-10; 123, along edge of Sabine Bank; 126, outer
sandy beaches and near shore sandy areas of Carolinian Pro-
vince; 135, alive in Gulf, dead in bays; 136, dead on East
Texas beach, alive at 40 feet on Sabine Bank; 145, inlets,
shallow shelf, all dead, pl. 5, figs. 14A-B; 146, old shelf,
pl. 4, fig. 24; 156, Stetson Bank, appendix 3; 160, Matagorda
Bay, dead at several, alive at one location; 164, in Rock-
port area alive in inlet influenced bays; 170, listed for
transitional shelf assemblage; 174, listed; 206, beach records,
Tex. Conchol., Vol. 9, p. 176; 225, Galveston; 236; Galveston;
253, rarely found alive in Gulf bottom samples, single valve
and pairs uncommon in bottom sediments (off reef near Padre
Island); 261, listed for offshore waters, Galveston; 266, Padre
Island; 269, figured on page 155.

Records H.M.N.S.: 101 lots, of which 34 contain live collected
material

Depth Range: 0-37 fms.; alive 0-26 fms. (Usual 0-12 fms.).

Geographical Range: Virginia to Florida and to Texas (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 72 mm. (alive 55 mm.).

Eastern Pacific Analogue: Apparently none close but I suspect
that both species of Noetia s.s. (i.e., magna and reversa)

are much closer to N. ponderosa than is hitherto assumed.

Remarks: References to other species are:

15, Arca indica Gmelin, "several single valves were found at
Galveston"(Note: probably misidentified).

170, Anadara hemidesma (sic) Philippi, alive in deep shelf
assemblage, plate 9, fig. 3. Probably immature A. baughmani,
although A. hemidesmos may be the valid name for that species.

7, Bentharca asperula Dall, 1881, listed for deep water.

170, Bentharca sagrinata Dall, figured on pl. 11, fig. 4 for a
specimen obtained off East Texas.

15

SUPERFAMILY LIMOPSACEA

FAMILY LIMOPSIDAE

Rather small, oblique, often thick shelled bivalves, which, when
collected alive, are covered by tufted periostracum.

Sources: Newell, N.D., in Treat. Invert. Pal., Vol. N,
p. 264-267, 1969.
Abbott, p. 425-426, 1974.

Genus Limopsis Sassi, 1827.

In the Treat. of Invert. Pal., the genus Limopsis is divided into two
subgenera, Limopsis Sassi, without radial sculpture and smooth inner
margins, and Pectunculina d'Orbigny, with radial sculpture and crenate
inner margins. Both subgenera are present in our material. In addi-
tion there is a species which probably should be placed elsewhere (L.
antillensis Dall), and, finally, there are some small shells which can-
not be placed until more material has been collected.

272.

273,

Limopsis antillensis Dall, 1881.

Limopsis antillensis Dall,.B.M.C.S., Vol. 9 (2), p. 119.

This small species may not be a Limopsis as suggested by Abbott,

but may belong in the Philobryidae (close to Cratis Hedley,
1914). I fail however to see the festoon like ridge around
the prodissoconch in juvenile material. It is certain that
this species should not be classified as a Limopsis, because
the topology of the hinge is different from other species in
that genus. Also, a small percentage of valve is colored
rose or yellow, and live specimens have a periostracum very
much like Limopsis.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 170, deep
shelf assemblage off East Texas, pl. 16, fig. 4; 175, listed
for upper Continental Slope, 65-600 fms., rare, chiefly west

of Delta.

Records H.M.N.S.: 9 lots, of which 2 contain live collected
material.

Depth Range: 36-85 fms., alive at 51-55 fms., mostly on mud
bottoms.

Geographical Range: Florida to Lesser Antilles (Abbott, 1974).
Maximum Size: 4.0 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: ?

Limopsis (Limopsis) sulcata Verrill and Bush, 1898.
Hinge plate is entirely without clear fold or sulcus. Very
skewed in shape, when mature, almost circular when juvenile.
Occurs in the mudlump fauna off the Mississippi Delta.

Previous records for the Texas faunal provinces are: 145, deep
shelf (alive), pl. 7, figs. 10A-B; 170, misidentified as
Glycymeris americana (sic), off East Texas, pl. 15, fig. 3,
(juvenile specimen); 175, listed for upper Continental Slope,
65-600 fms., common, along whole coast, pl. 6, Fig. 10; 206,
Texas Conchol. ;.Vol. 9, p. 76; 214, pl. 10; figs. 9-90; 2555
listed for Yucatan Shelf.

Records H.M.N.S.: 9 lots, of which two contain live collected
material.

Depth Range: 36-110 fms., on mud bottoms; alive at 55 fms.

16

Figs. 4 and 5 Limopsis sulcata, a 11 mm. wide, 9.5 mm. high specimen
taken from 110 fms. mud bottom by a 15 minute dredge by Geis and Stubbs
86 miles SE of Freeport, Texas, July 18, 1967.

17

274.

27%

276.

Geographical Range: Cape Cod to Florida, Gulf States and the
West Indies (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 15.2 mm.

Easter Pacific Analogue: ?

Limopsis sp. indet A.

Only two lots, one live collected, of juvenile valves of a
small species of much more oval shape bivalves were obtained
in very deep water.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 206, Texas
Conchel,; Vol: 9, pubs:

Records H.M.N.S.: 2 lots, of which one contains live collected
material.

Depth Range: 410-450 fms. in mud; alive 420 fms.

Geographical Range: Unknown.

Maximum Size: 2.0 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: ?

Limopsis (Pectunculina) sp. indet. B.
This is probably L. minuta Philippi, 1836, as which it was
reported before, but I am not certain about this. The cancel-
late sculpture and coarse tufts, (not dense) differentiate it
from L. sulcata, but its shape is not as skewed.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 206 (as L.
minuta Philippi, 1836), Texas Conchol., Vol. 9, p. 19.

Records H.M.N.S.: 9 lots, of which 2 contain live collected
material.

Depth Range: 63-170 fms., in mud; alive 110-167 fms.

Geographical Range: Unknown.

Maximum Size: 11.0 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: ?

Limopsis sp. indet. C.
A very small valve with a straight posterior slope in our only

lot. More material is required to evaluate this species.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.
Records H.M.N.S.: 1 lot, no live material.

Depth Range: 55 fms., in shelly mud, off Louisiana.
Geographical Range: Unknown.

Maximum Size: .9 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: ?

Remarks: Ref. 7 mentions Limopsis cristata Jeffreys, 1876, for very

deep water.

18

FAMILY MANZANELLIDAE Chronic, 1952

Very small bivalves rather nuculid in shape, but with a very peculiar
hinge. There are a few taxodont teeth, and below it there is a long
groove along the posterior dorsal slope.

277. Genus Nucinella Wood, 1851.

The 5 small valves in the collection of the H.M.N.S. do not
resemble the figure Abbott gives of N. serrei Lamy, 1912.
It may be Nucinella adamsi Dall, 1892. Our single fresh valve
is dark chestnut brown; the others are bleached.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.

Records H.M.N.S.: 3 lots, no live material.

Depth Range: 51-63 fms.; on mud and sandy mud.

Geographical Range: Unknown to me.

Maximum Size: 2.2 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: Nucinella subdola (Strong and Hertlein,
1937), Bahia de los Angeles, Gulf of California to Mazatlan,
Mexico, in depths to 22 m.

FAMILY GLYCYMERIDIDAE Newton, 1922

Somewhat circular, thick shelled, equivalve bivalves, mostly with
radial sculpture. In the N.W. Gulf of Mexico represented only by a
single genus with 3 subgenera: Glycymeris s.s., Glycymerella Woodring,
1925, and Tucetona Tredale, 1931.
Sources: Newell, N.D., in Treat. Invert. Pal., Part N,
Vol. 1, p. N267-269.
Abbott, R.T., Am. Seashells 2d Ed., 1974.

278. Glycymeris (Glycymeris) spectralis Nicol, 1952.

In Treat. of Invert. Pal., this is a fairly widespread, rather
small species, occasionally obtained from shallow dredgings on
sand bottoms. All material in the H.M.N.S. collection is old
and worn and no fresh or live material is present. Its central-
ly located ligament and the outline of the shell, which is
rather broad and oval, and lack of discernable color pattern
differentiate this species from the next one, which takes the
place of G. spectralis Nicol in calcareous environment. G.
spectralis has on rare occasions been obtained from beach drift:
Sargent, Matagorda, St. Joseph Island and Mustang Island.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 206, Texas
fomchol., Vol. 9, p. 76;

Records H.M.N.S.: 13 lots, none alive.

Depth Range: 0-25 fms., on sandy bottoms, never alive.

Geographical Range: Carolinas to East Florida, Texas. (Abbott, 1974)

Maximum Size: 33.5 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: None appears close. Perhaps Glycymeris
lintea Olsson, 1961, is related.

279. Glycymeris (Glycymerella) decussata (Linne, 1758).
Common in calcareous environment off Louisiana and Texas, where
it lives in coral and algae muds. Live specimens are clearly
somewhat cancellate or pitted in sculpture and possess small
epidermal hairs in an arrangement identical to the cancellate
pattern. The ligament is situated in front of the umbos, which

19

are opisthogyrate. Juvenile specimens are almost circular in
outline and lack the flattened portion of the outline, which
is so typical of mature specimens.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 206, Texas
Conchol., Vol. 9, p. 76x

Records H.M.N.S.: 12 lots, of which 3 contain live collected
material.

Depth Range: 10-40 fms., alive 10-25 fms.

Geographical Range: Southwest Florida and the West Indies and
Brazil (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 49.5 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

280. Glycymeris (Tucetona) pectinata (Gmelin, 1791).
Arca pectinata Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 6, p. 3313.

Only a single valve is in the H.M.N.S. collection, taken from
beach drift at San Luis Pass. This area is as far as I know
the only spot along the Texas cost from which a few valves
of this species have been taken. Once a live specimen was
claimed to have been dredged from Galveston Bay (Texas Conchol.,
Vol. 1 (1), 1961), but since then no other specimens have come
to light.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 7, listed;
45, listed; 56, listed; 170, listed for deep shelf assemblage;
192, Alacran reef, off Yucatan, pl. 9, figs. 6a-6b; 251, Yuca-
tan shelf.

Records H.M.N.S.: 1 lot, from beach.

Geographical Range: N. Carolina to both sides of Florida, Texas
and to Brazil (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 24 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: ?

281. Glycymeris (Tucetona) subtilis Nicol, 1956.
Nautilus, Vol. 70, p. 48-53, 1956.

The occurrence of this deeper water species, mainly off the
Louisiana coast is a definite surprise. It can be immediate-
ly recognized by the small, thin elevated concentric growth
ridges in between the radial ribs, which produce imbrications
on the ribs. Most of our material is old, but in one lot there
are a few live collected specimens. There is a patchy color
pattern of randomly distributed rather squarish dots of color.
Very small juveniles already possess many closely spaced costae
(# 1 mm.).

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.

Records H.M.N.S.: 8 lots, one alive.

Depth Range: 51-85 fms., in sandy mud, alive at 55 fms.

Geographical Range: Off East Texas, Louisiana, Bermuda.

Maximum Size: 12.4 mn.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None. G. (Tucetona) multicostata
Sowerby, 1833) resembles it, but is much larger.

282. Glycymeris (Tucetona) sp. indet. A.
A number of small bivalves probably belongs to still another
species in the subgenus Tucetona, although finally they may
turn out to be juveniles of G. (Tucetona) pectinata (Gmelin,
1791). They are quite coarsely ribbed and skew in outline.

20

More material is needed for a more definite identification.
Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.
Records H.M.N.S.: 3 lots, none alive in calcareous environment.
Depth Range: 50-51 fms.

Geographical Range: Unknown.
Maximum Size: Not yet measured.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

Remarks: Glycymeris americana (DeFrance, 1829) has been twice reported
from Texas waters, but I believe that these records are in error.
It is listed in Ref. 69 (appendix 8), but this is probably an error
for G. spectralis and it is also listed in Ref. 170, but peer
on pl. 15, fig. 3, shows a specimen of Limopsis sulcata (sic!).
In all probability Pulley (Ref. 100) is correct when he states
"not in Texas waters".

To be continued

Fig. 6 ? Anadara notabilis, a small specimen with a large
auricle which Odé judges to be a Caloosarca but places in the Museum
collection under Anadara notabilis at this time. 18 mm. long, 11.5 mn.
high, the valve was collected by orange peel grab by the Gus III, Bureau
of Commercial Fisheries ship, 5445 miles SSW of Freeport, Texas, April 20
1966. (See Texas Conchologist, Vol. 14, pg. 104.)

>

21

Figs. 7 and 8 Acar domingensis, 21.6 mm. long, 10 mm. high, this
specimen was recovered from a sandy limestone lump by diver Harold Geis
from 25-50 feet of water about 1 miles off Padre Island, near South
Padre Island, Texas, September 25, 1966. (See Texas Conchologist,

Vol, 14,.96.° 70, TT.)

22

Figs. 9 and 10 Arca sp. A, once separated out from Arca zebra by Odé,
this 30 mm. long specimen was collected by dredge in 1963 by T.E. Pulley
and Paul McGee from Stetson Bank, 74 miles SSE of Galveston, Texas. Odé
explains that separation was done so that emphasis on further study of
such material could be encouraged. He judged it finally to be simply an

aberrant form of A. zebra. (See Texas Conchologist, Vol. 9, p. 77, and
wa. L4, p. 68.)

Photos by Harold Geis in Monograph

Z3

IN MEMORIAM

We regret to announce the loss of two members and two good friends of
the Society during recent months.

Ruth Fair, a member of our society for two years, died on June 21, 1978,
after months of illness. Immediately on arriving in Houston she offered
to present a program and became a member. Some sixteen members will al-
ways remember her guidance of a wonderful trip to Fiji in 1977.

The Society voted to add $50.00 to the memorial fund in Ruth's name
which was established by members, and books will be purchased for the
library. Anyone still wishing to add to this memorial fund may do so
by contributing through treasurer Joanne Hoard, 4525 N. Braeswood,
#103THA, Houston, Texas 7/7096.

RKKKKK

Word has been received by several Houston Conchology Society members
that our friend, Frank Abbottsmith, of Perth, Australia, died on June

18, 1978, after a long illness. He had given his wonderful slide
lecture on Australian volutes here in 1974 and then visited here another
year. He was on his way to tour the world again when he became very ill.

KKKKKK

Helen Denny of Sanibel, Florida, died on March 12, 1978, at the age of
72. Many Houston Conchology Society members knew Helen through the
years, enjoyed her exquisite shell art, and learned to shell Sanibel and
the Keys with her. Mary Sutow, Constance Boone, and Leola Glass visited
daily with her during one visit to Sanibel in October, 1966, and then
went on to the Keys with a group Helen was leading to the Marathon area.
Leola still prizes the gift shells Helen gave her for finding two beach
Junonias, a custom Helen established on the island.

keKKKK

Our member, Hugo C. Bauer, of Galveston, Texas, died September 10, 1978,
en route home from Houston after participating and exhibiting in the
Houston Gem and Mineral Society show at the Shamrock Hotel. With his
wife, Laura, Hugo has operated the Bauer's Gems, Seashells and Museum
shop at 2126 45th Street in Galveston. Hugo had suffered from heart
problems for several years, and Laura and Hugo were not often able to
attend our meetings. Hugo's interest has always been the rocks and min-
erals. For years he has given generously of his time to talk to schools
and clubs in the area.

24 .

Officers 1978-79

Directors

Helmer Odé

Fraga — Margie Woods

exas Concholo ist

.

te Past President

Honorary Life Members

HOUSTON CONCHOLOGY SOCIETY, INC.

Frank Petway
Charles A. Doh
Maryann Curtis
Joanne Hoard
Jim Sartor

Mary Jane Williams

Frank Van Morkhoven

Ruth Goodson

Constance E. Boone

Wilson B. Ward

Dr. Helmer Odé

(\

Y

7 4

"EGS eke 2

CONCHOLOGST

VOLUME XV NO, 2

JANUARY, 1979

The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST is the official publication of the Houston Conchol-
ogy Society, Inc., and is published quarterly at Houston, Texas. It is

distributed as part of the dues to all members.

The Society holds regular meetings the fourth Wednesdays of the follow-
ing months: August, September, October, January, February, March, April

and May. The meeting is held the third Wednesday in November.

are held at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, vadiitata Street in

Hermann Park, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST is published October, January, April and July.

It is mailed postpaid to regular members in U.S. postal zones.

Meetings

Overseas

members will be charged additional postage. Only one copy will be mailed

a family membership.

Dues extend from the beginning of the fiscal year of June 1 through May
31. However, the July issue of the TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST each year is the
fourth quarterly due on the regular dues year beginning June 1 of the
previous year. Memberships will be accepted throughout the year but will
receive the quarterlies of that fiscal year. Members receive meeting
Newsletters and have all other privileges provided by the Society's by-

laws.
RATES AND DUES
Family membership $6.00
Single membership $5.00
Student membership $2.00
Single Issues $1.50
Extra sets mailed members $5.00
(Postage for overseas members required)
EDITOR CIRCULATION
Constance E. Boone Mr. and Mrs. Sam Miron
668-8252 723-3628
3706 Rice Boulevard 5238 Sanford Street
Houston, Texas 77005 Houston, Texas 77035
EDITORIAL STAFF
Helmer Odé . W. W. Sutow Herschel S. Sands
664-9942 748-7233 772-6613
4811 Braeburn Drive 4371 N. MacGregor Way 8902 Cadawac Road

Bellaire, Texas 77401 Houston, Texas 77004

Houston, Texas 77074 |
i.

The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST accepts contributions for publication from ama-

teurs, students, and professionals, subject to

Manuscripts should be typed, double spaced and should be in the hands of ~

approval by the Editor.

the Editor the first day of the month preceding publication dates.

Photos accompanying such material are welcomed.

mall
By AY

ma .
ae

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5 Is

,
ry

va

AUCTION DATE IS SET FOR APRIL 25TH

Dave Green has volunteered to be chairman for our shell auction for mem-
bers and announces that the regular meeting date for April, Wednesday the
twenty-fifth, will be the time for this event eagerly awaited by members
each year. Dave has received approval from the Houston Audubon Society
for our use of the main auditorium at the Museum for that evening which
allows us to spread out the shells on more tables and promises that si-
lent auction and sale table shells will be on better view and available
to more members.

In order for the auction to continue to be the success it always has been,
Dave urges members to search their stock of shells for items to donate for
the auctions, sale table and surprise boxes. This year there will be one
table emphasizing Texas and Gulf of Mexico specimen shells, so please give
generously from your self-collected shells so that other members not as
fortunate as you in going to beaches or in finding shells may get to know
shells from our area by purchasing shells from this table.

Anyone interested in donating shells or working on the auction is asked
to call Dave at home at 493 1179 or to call him at his office at 237 4312.
He is anxious to have your ideas and your help.

You may bring your shells to the meetings, or you may take your shells to
the homes of Cynthia Biasca, Merle Kleb or Dave Green. Constance Boone 1
would like to have the Texas and Gulf shells. Data as complete as pos-
sible is requested for all shells.

Jim Hudson and Lloyd Meister have agreed to pick up shells you may wish
to donate if you are unable to deliver them.

This year Dave would like to have some super items for oral auction. He
already has some fine shells donated by a dealer. Other dealers will be
contacted by members. Contact Dave if you have ideas or relationships

with dealers worldwide. Dave intends to itemize each donation from dealers
and members. A list will be sent to all members after the auction of such
donations. Dealers' addresses will be provided on this list so that mem-
bers may have it for reference.

The money derived from this club auction helps to keep the club in the

business of providing you this quarterly and to continue to support the
Houston Museum of Natural Science. We are also better able to purchase
more books for our library. Our dues do not cover these activities com-
pletely, as you know from the final report from the treasurer last year.

SHELL SHORT

According to the experts, Vacek Bridge over San Luis Pass between Gal-
veston Island and the peninsula to Surfside will fall to the punishing,
swift tides rushing in and out of the Pass and shifting the sands con-
tinuously. The recent lack of nourishment of sands to this area has caused
even more damage. HCS members on the field trip on December 14, 1978,
collected Littorina lineolata from pits in the bridge spans and noted that
some of the stands were completely out of the sand and anchored only by
steel rods. December meetings were being conducted by authorities bent

On saving the bridge. Recommendations included dredging sands from the
Gulf of Mexico to replenish sands at the Pass and the erection of jetties.

250

THE SPECIES OF DONAX ON THE ATLANTIC AND GULF COASTS OF NORTH AMERICA
By T.E. Pulley
In a recent review of the species of Donax living on the Atlantic and Gulf

coasts of North America, Morrison (1971) recognized 5 species, one of which
he separated into 2 geographic subspecies. A summary of Morrison's inter-

pretation is presented in Table 1. It has been determined that the name Donax
is masculine, and the endings of some species names have been appropriately

changed.

. roemeri
rotractus
roemeri

roemeri
Donax texasianus

Donax parvulus

ee

Donax dorotheae

es

Donax fossor

—

D
Di

New York

New Jersey
Virginia

Cape Hatteras
Carolinas
East Florida
West Florida
Alabama
Mississippi
Louisiana
La.-Tex. Border
Texas

Mexico

* KK KK K iI
* *
* *.
x * KK K

* KK OK
*

- Sometimes present
* Always present
Table 1.

Morrison was the first to call attention to the fact that the familiar name
Donax variabilis Say, 1822 is preoccupied, and Donax roemeri Philippi, 1849

is the next available name. Abbott (1974), however, continues to use Donax

variabilis with the comment that the name will surely be conserved by the
International Congress of Zoological Nomenclature. So far as I know, how-
ever, no attempt has been made to present the case to the ICZN, and there

is no assurance as to what action that group would take. Until the case has

been decided, strict observance of the Rule of Priority requires the use of
the name Donax roemeri.

Morrison stated that both subspecies of Donax roemeri are highly variable,
and some populations from Texas resemble populations from the Atlantic
coast. I have critically examined several thousand specimens from the en-
tire range of this species, and I do not think that the variability is
sufficiently correlated with geographic locality to warrant the use of
subspecies names. Donax roemeri (formerly known as Donax variabilis)

is thus the ubiquitous species that is most often seen on sandy beaches
from Cape Hatteras to Mexico. Like many other Carolinian species, how-
ever, it is not found in south Florida between Cape Canaveral and Sanibel.

26

Of the remaining 4 species considered by Morrison, a review of Table 1
indicates a remarkable pattern of distribution. Collectively, the 4
species have a range that almost exactly duplicates the range of Donax
roemeri, and in only one small area do the ranges of any of these 4
species overlap. Morrison stated that both Donax texasianus and Donax
dorotheae are found in Jefferson County, Texas and Cameron Parish,
Louisiana, on opposite sides of the Texas-Louisiana border.

By analogy with the known distribution of other species and subspecies
groups, it seems likely to me that the 4 species (other than D. roemeri)
recognized by Morrison might represent only 1 or 2 species with geo-
graphic separation into subspecies. All four share certain structural
and behavioral characteristics as outlined in Table 2.

Donax roemeri Other Donax: (texasianus, dorotheae
parvulus and fossor)

Tend to concentrate in shallower Tend to concentrate in deeper water.
water (intertidal).

The ridge which separates the The ridge which separates the sides
sides of the shell from the of the shell from the posterior
posterior slope is sharp and slope is rounded.

clearly defined.

Radial ribbing is uniformly Ribbing is variable on the posterior
sharp and distinct over the slope, but never like that described |
entire posterior slope. for D. roemeri.

Radial ribbing is distinct on Radial ribbing is obscured on the
sides of the shell near the sides of the shell. It can often be
posterior end. seen but not felt.

Maximum size is about 28 mn. Maximum size is about 18 mm.

Colors often bright, and rayed Colors are usually drab, and there
forms are not unusual. are no rayed forms.

Left and right valves meet The left valve slightly overlaps

symmetrically in the mid-ventral the right in the mid-ventral line.
line.

Table 2

The four species compared with Donax roemeri in Table 2 are almost cer-
tainly more closely related to each other than any one is to Donax roe-
meri. The principal distinguishing features of all five species can be
explained by reference to the illustrations and brief descriptions.

e7

Donax

Donax

Donax

Donax

Donax

roemeri:

dorotheae:

texasianus:

parvulus:

fossor:

Compare the illustrations in Fig. 1 and the
description in Table 2.

Refer to Fig. 2. Note the rounded ridge

separating the sides of the shell from the posterior
slope. Note also the secondary ridge not far from
the posterior border in the side view. This ridge
shows more plainly in the rear view. Between this
ridge and the posterior mid-line there are numerous
closely spaced radial ribs that can be seen with
magnification, but which cannot be felt. Forward
of the secondary ridge there may be additional
radial ribs, which extend over the whole shell but
they are somewhat more widely spaced. These, too,
can be seen only with some magnification and cannot
be felt. The entire surface of the shell feels
smooth, even when scraped with a pin or fingernail.

Refer to Fig 3. This species is very
Similar to Donax dorotheae except on the posterior
Slope where the radial ribbing is crossed by wavy
concentric ribbing to create a crenulate pattern
of sculpture. This sculpture is usually quite
distinct when seen under magnification, and it can
be felt with the thumb nail.

This species is more elongate than Donax dorotheae,
and the hinge is nearer the center of the shell.
There are no radial ribs between the secondary ridge
and the posterior mid-line. Faint radial ribs can
be seen elsewhere on the shell, but they lie within
the shell and cannot be felt.

Say's type locality for this species was the "coasts
of New Jersey and Maryland". A single lot of shells
in the collection of the Houston Museum of Natural
Science is from New Jersey. Since only Donax fossor
is supposed to be found that far north, it is assum-
ed that this lot does represent that species.

The specimens (about 40) are all small; the largest
is only 7 mm. long. They are not distinguishable,
however, from young Donax parvulus, which is fair-
ly well represented in the Houston Museum of Nat-
ural Science collections from several localities
between Virginia Beach, Virginia and Ormond Beach,
Florida. If there is only a single species (in
addition to Donax roemeri) which is found from

New Jersey to Florida, the earliest name for it is

Donax fossor, and Donax parvulus is a junior syn-

Oonym. Refer to Fig. 4.

28

LEFT SIDE

GL

FRO

DR

SR

PS

SRR

NO

Donax roemeri

Figure 1

Donax roemeri

Growth line

Fatne ribs ‘or none

Distinct ribs that can be felt
Sharp ridge

Posterior slope

Sharp radial ribs

No overlap

29

Fig.2 Donax dorotheae

LEFT SIDE

'GL

FRR

REAR VIEW

Figure 2

Donax dorotheae

Growth line

Faint radial ribs that can be
seen but not felt

Rounded ridge
Posterior slope
Secondary ridge

Overlap

30

LEFT SIDE

GL

FRR

Donax texasianus

Figure 3

Donax texasianus

- Growth line

- Faint radial ribs that can be
seen but not felt

- Rounded ridge

- Crenulate sculpture

- Faint secondary ridge
- Posterior slope

- Overlap

31

LEFT SIDE

Fig.4 Donax fossor

REAR VIEW

Figure 4

Donax fossor

Hinge nearer center of shell

No radial ribs from secondary
ridge to posterior mid-line

Growth line

Faint radial ribs that can
be seen but not felt

Overlap

32

The best test to confirm the distinctness of species is to find them living
together without evidence of interbreeding or intergradation of characters.
It was with this in mind that I accompanied a field trip of the Houston
Conchology Society on November 4, 1978 to Sea Rim Park, the most easterly
Texas beach, and to Holly Beach (near Cameron) in western Louisiana. Ac-
cording to Morrison, Donax roemeri, Donax texasianus, and Donax dorotheae
all occur in this area.

The beach at Sea Rim Park is poorly developed. A thin layer of sand
overlies a stiff Pleistocene clay base. At the east end of the Park,
the sand beach disappears entirely. Surf and tidal action are weak.

Holly Beach is an isolated, very poorly developed beach where the only
sand is a thin layer in the intertidal zone. Beyond the low tide line
the bottom is soft mud. Surf and tidal action are usually very weak.
There are no sand beaches between Holly Beach and Sea Rim Park, and

to the east of Holly Beach there are only small patches of sandy beach
all the way to the Mississippi River.

Neither of the two beaches visited on this field trip seems particularly
favorable for Donax, and, as the following tabulation of the results

of collecting indicates, the shells were not present in the abundance
usually seen on most Texas beaches.

Donax collected at Sea Rim Park

1. About 30 specimens of Donax roemeri; size range 14-22 mm.

2. About 70 specimens of Donax texasianus; size range 6-10 mm. for
all specimens taken alive. A few dead shells up to 13 mm. were
found. Most of the shells were bluish gray, but some were un-
usually colored with shades of yellow, pink, and orange.

It should be noted that some of the larger shells did not begin
to show the crenulate sculpture on the posterior slope that is
characteristic of Donax texasianus until they reached a length
of 4 or 5mm. As young shells they would not be distinguishable
from Donax dorotheae.

3. Five small specimens (5-7 mm.) taken alive which are almost
smooth on the posterior slope (like Donax dorotheae) but which
have faint evidence of the crenulate sculpture of Donax texasianus.

There were also 12 larger single valves (9-13 mm.) which also
seem intermediate between Donax texasianus and Donax dorotheae in
the sculpture of the posterior slope.

Donax collected at Holly Beach
1. Two live specimens of Donax roemeri about 23 mm. long were found
by Dianna Ballard. A single valve about the same size was also
found, as well as a smaller (13 mm.) live specimen.

2. About 70 live specimens of Donax texasianus; size range 7-12 mm.
Several dead shells up to 15 mm. were also found. A few shells
exhibited the same shades of yellow, pink, and orange seen on
shells taken at Sea Rim Park.

On several of these shells, particularly the larger ones, the
crenulate scupture of Donax texasianus was begun only after the
shell was 5-6 mm.:' long, or it was only slightly visible.

33:

3. About 35 live specimens which appear close to Donax dorotheae;
size range 4-9 mm. Also one single valve 12 mm. long. Many
of these specimens show some evidence of the crenulate sculp-
ture of Donax texasianus. They also exhibit the same range
of colors (mostly blue or gray, but some with yellow or orange)
= in the more typical Donax texasianus with which they were

ound.

The large single valve is indistinguishable from Donax dorotheae
taken at Grand Isle, Louisiana.

It seems apparent that Donax populations at Sea Rim Park and Holly
Beach are genetically intermediate between typical Donax texasianus
to the west and Donax dorotheae to the east. If these 2 species are
capable of interbreeding, and apparently they are, then they must be
regarded as geographic subspecies of a single species.

Conclusions:

1. A single, highly variable species, Donax roemeri Philippi,
1849 is found from Cape Hatteras to Cape Canaveral and from
Sanibel to Mexico. Subspecific designations are probably
not warranted.

2. Donax texasianus texasianus Philippi, 1847 is found along the
Texas coast at least as far south as Mustang Island.

3. Donax texasianus dorotheae Morrison, 1971 is found in Louis-
iana and an unknown distance eastward in the northern Gulf.
Morrison reports it from as far east as Franklin County,
Florida. Intergrades with Donax texasianus texasianus are
found near the Texas=-Louisiana border.

4, Donax fossor Say, 1822 and Donax parvulus Philippi, 1849 do
not appear to be separable on the basis of limited collections
in the Houston Museum of Natural Science. If they do prove
to be conspecific, Donax fossor is the earlier name and
Donax parvulus is a junior synonym for a species whose range
extends from New Jersey (occasionally Long Island) to the
east coast of Florida. There are specimens in the collection
at the Houston Museum of Natural Science from Ormond Beach,
Florida, and Morrison reports it from St. Lucie County Park,
Florida.

Recommendations:

Additional collections are needed from the entire northern Gulf to
clarify the status of Donax texasianus and Donax dorotheae. More
material from western Louisiana is particularly important, if the
present conclusion that they are geographic subspecies of a single
species is to be confirmed.

Collections from the Atlantic coast, particularly from localities
north of the Cape Hatteras, should also be examined critically. If
there is only one other species in addition to Donax roemeri, the
correct name for it is Donax fossor.

34

References:

Abbott, R. T., 1974, American Seashells. Van Nostrand Reinhold.
New York. pp. 1-663.

Morrison, J. P. E., 1971. Western Atlantic Donax. Proée :Biokw Sec:
Wash., vol. 83, no. 48, pp. 545-568.

Illustrations by James Jeffries

HCS member Dianna Ballard spent several hours digging and screen-
ing sands at high tide line on the field trip to Holly Beach, La., Nov. 4,
1978, when the main object was to assist in the collection of Donax. Dianna
was lucky enough to find several of the few specimens of Donax roemeri col-
lected that day. Her specimens have been added to the collection at the
Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Photo by Constance E. Boone

fe

GALLONS OF DONAX By Helen Cornellisson

Heeding Dr. T.E. Pulley's call for more Donax from the coasts of the Gulf
of Mexico and from up the East Coast of the United States, I began to look
for specimens on a visit to Port Aransas, Texas, in October, 1978.

My sister, May, and her son, Ronald Shank, and I joined the Outdoor Nature
group on a shelling and birding trip to Rockport, Texas, October 11th and
12th. We walked the shores of Goose Island and found a few mussels.

The next day we went to Port Aransas to walk the beach. It was crowded
with campers. I noticed a few dead Donax and picked them up. Recalling

a remark by Cynthia Biasca on the trip to Holly Beach that "where there are
dead Donax there are sure to be a few live ones", I looked closer and found
a school just a fraction of an inch under the sand. I uncovered a few as
the waves rolled in and out, approximately a cupful.

At the cabin that evening I made a sieve by heating a large fork and making
holes in a plastic bucket.

On Sunday morning, October 12th, we returned to the beach, omitting a trip
to St. Joseph Island. A few individuals were taking their morning walk, a
few bathers were in the warm water, and one lady was busy gathering Donax
and said she planned on making soup and gave me the recipe. She said the
soup tasted like oyster soup...

The Donax were coming in with the waves, staying on top of the sand a few
seconds before they disappeared beneath it. In those seconds we scooped
them up by the handfuls. As we looked down the beach we could see another
school riding the waves in. We spent two hours on the beach watching the
Donax come in. Approximately every thirty feet schools of Donax floated
in. This was located on the Port Aransas beach on both sides of the fish-
ing pier.

(Ed. Note: A gallon of frozen Donax was delivered for use in Dr. Pulley's
study. This first resided in the Boone freezer, and since the Donax were
delivered in a Bluebell ice cream carton, Hollis Boone promptly opened

that carton the first evening to get some of his favorite ice cream, ex-
claiming in dismay as Donax spilled out and commenting that he thought that in
his refrigerator freezer he at least shouldn't have to encounter more shells.
The bad part of this was that there wasn't any ice cream there to soothe the
SpEerr ts.)

NEW SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL

A new scientific journal, Monographs of Marine Mollusca, devoted to
the systematics, biology, zoogeography and taxonomy of marine mollusks,
both living and fossil, has been announced available by subscription
through American Malacologists, P.O. Box 4208, Greenville, Delaware
19807. Dr. R. Tucker Abbott will serve as Editor-in-chief. Number 1
is "The Family Cerithiidae in the Indo-Pacific" by R.S. Houbrick of
the Smithsonian Institution. Numbers in preparation include the
Mitridae by W.O. Cernohorsky, Babylonia by Altena and Gittenberger,
and others. Numbers are issued irregularly as research is completed.
They will be issued with color plates and in a convenient looseleaf
form compatible with the former Indo-Pacific Mollusca.

Price for Number 1 only is $17.50. Price for this number and the
special looseleaf binder is $26.00.

The journal will be placed in the library of our society.

36

HARBOUR ISLAND, A GOOD COLLECTING SITE By Helen Eberspacher

Melba Drake, Mildred Elkins and Helen Eberspacer, all members of the
Houston Conchology Society, and Helen's sister, Roberta Campbell, left
Houston on June 17, 1978, for a delightful week at Harbour Island in
the Bahamas. For those who have not been to Harbour Island, it is a
very small island (one mile wide by three miles long) that lies just
off North Eleuthera about a 20-minute plane ride from Nassau. In truth,
the plane goes only as far as North Eleuthera and from there the rest
of the journey is made by a 20-minute boat ride, on board the African
Queen (no fooling, that's the name of the little boat), operated by a
huge, bearded black man named Anthony.

When we began to make plans to go to Harbour Island, we decided to stay
at the Coral Sands Hotel which we had heard about from others who had
stayed there. We had a brochure on the hotel which showed that the
Bahamas Hotel Reservation Service handled reservations for this hotel.
We called their toll free number (800) 327-0787 and asked them to try

to reserve for us the one 2-room, 2-bath cottage/kitchen listed avail-
able on the hotel grounds. A few days later they advised they were suc-
cessful in getting the cottage for us for the week we wanted. The hotel
has many rooms but none with cooking facilities.

Our next step was to make plane reservations and since three of our

party are members of AAA, we asked them to work out the best schedule

for flying there from Houston. As a result we left here on National
Airlines, transferred in Miami to Bahamasair, and transferred again in
Nassau to another Bahamasair plane which took us to North Eleuthera
Island. There we had to take a little boat to Harbour Island which is
accessible only by boat. We later learned that we could have taken a
direct flight from Miami to North Eleuthera on the Shawnee Airlines,

thus avoiding one plane transfer. Anyone interested in making this

trip might also check on Mackey Airlines out of Miami and Fort_Lauderdale.
Reservations for these are usually easier to make through a Miami or Fort
Lauderdale travel service or directly with the airlines.

The natives of this beautiful little tropical island, which used to be
the capitol of the Bahamas, are black and speak English. They are a
friendly lot, especially the children who loved to help us collect
shells. The only way to get around here is on foot or by taxi, there
being very few automobiles. However, there is really not much use

for them since the place is so small. Dunmore Town is the only town on
the island and is about 350 years old, very quaint with all its houses
painted in bright colors (pink, green, blue, yellow and even orange).
The island's terrain is hilly and covered with lush tropical growth -
date and coconut palms, bananas, Royal Poinciana trees (in bloom while
we were there), bougainvillaea, hibiscus, and many other flowers.

We shelled in two places on the island - the mud flats in Girl's Bay and
The Narrows with its rocky shore and volcanic cliffs. Both places pro-
duced many beautiful shells, many of them firsts for us or, as the birders
would say, lifers. Shells we brought home were milk conchs, angular
tritons, dog-head tritons, speckled tellins, black lace Murex, amber pens,
king helmets, strawberry cockles, West Indian chanks, eared arks, West
Indian top shells, and one retriculated cowrie helmet. Other familiar
shells were tiger lucines, prickly cockles, queen conchs, mussels,
Pennsylvania lucines, apple Murex, true tulips, as well as other sea

life such as sea biscuits and huge star fish. One day we were taken to .

i

Pidgeon Island nearby and dug for the beautiful gaudy Asaphis, assisted
by several black boys who knew how to look for them. This was an in-
teresting experience because there was absolutely no evidence of these
clams on the rocky beach, yet these boys knew where to dig for these
pink, purple, yellow and white lovelies. Another day, Uncle San,

the singer-guitar player from the hotel, took us out in his boat and

he used his many-pronged anchor to snag for each of us a huge star fish,
king helmet and queen conch, in water about 8-10 feet deep. It was fun
helping to spot these creatures as we slowly circled around over crys-
tal clear water. Incidentally, all shelling is done here as described
above or by wading. In other words, there is no beach-combing here as
the beaches have no debris shells. However, we did pick West Indian
top shells, beaded and prickly periwinkles, bleeding teeth, and other
nerites off the volcanic rocks at The Narrows.

Our separate cottage had two bedrooms and two bathrooms and a kitchen.
I don't know how we could have managed without the kitchen when it came
time to clean our shells. The hotel fronts on the ocean and has its
own pink sand beach, and I do mean pink sand. It was a marvelous trip
and all of us want to go back again some day.

@é

MORE ON MUSSELS

The December 11, 1978, issue of Newsweek had a science report on the use
of marine mussels in measuring contaminants in coastal waters. According
to the report, the common Eastern Mytilus had already helped find a hot
spot of plutonium, the radioactive garbage of nuclear fission, off Ply-
mouth, Mass. Other toxic PCBs were being found nearby, and tests with
mussels determined that the waters off southern California are still full
of DDT. Since the mussels stay put, so to speak, scientists are able to
use them from the same clusters for fairly cheap methods of monitoring
coastal waters. "Mussel Watch" is the brainchild of Edward Goldberg of
the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California, according
to the article. "U.S. Mussel Watch" is going International, with 70
scientists meeting in Barcelona, Spain, in December, 1978, to create a
global monitoring network using the mussel. It seems appropriate to re-
port this in this issue as you note Dr. Odé's discussion on mussels -
they aren't just ‘ugly shells', as some collectors seem to think. They
are important food sources in many parts of the world; now they seem to
be very important in our war against pollutants.

38...

REVISIT TO THE STONE CITY FOSSIL BED By Jim Sartor

On Saturday, October 19, 1978, about 15 members of The Outdoor Nature Club
joined me in an outing to the seashore - of about 65 million years ago -

to collect fossil Seashells. This outing was to the Stone City Fossil

Bed on the Brazos River. Last year the Houston Conchology Society had a
successful field trip to this site which is an easy one to reach and a
pleasant place for profitable collecting of ancient shells. From Houston
we drove north on Highway 6 to Bryan, then turned west on Highway 21 for
about 11 miles to the Brazos River. Stopping on the west side of the river,
we parked our cars along the side of the highway and descended the river
bank on the south side of the bridge.

At the water's edge, the group assembled with the proper equipment for
looking for fossils at this location which included instruments for dig-
ging (knife, knitting needles, screw driver, or anything with a sharp
point), containers padded with cotton to prevent breakage for holding the
"finds", something for protection against the sun (both a hat and suntan
lotion if you go during the heat of summer), drinking water and a lunch.
All these items of necessary equipment should be carried in your well-used
collecting bucket. For the more fastidious collector, you may also want
to take along extra water for hand-washing. Since you will be spending
about 95% of the time on your knees, you may want to take along something
to be used for padding. But, at any rate, be sure and wear long pants.

The Stone City Fossil Bed is a well known fossil-collecting location which
was first discovered by Ferdinand Roemer in 1846. This fossil bed is a
geological formation about 60 feet in thickness, which is exposed for a
distance of about 500 yards along the west bank of the Brazos River. This
was the coast line during the middle of the Eocene Age, with the materials
being deposited in a lagoon and a submerged mud flat environment.

With the river at an extremely low stage, there were many new zones exposed
and ready to be searched for goodies. Naturally, most of those present
were looking for the large shells and hoping to find cones - and find cones
we did! Most everyone was lucky enough to find at least one cone, some
found several and one person even found a cone with the full lip intact.

Of the large shells, the more numerous were Athleta, Cochlespira, Distorsio,
Pseudoliva and Venericardia. We picture some of these shells. My most
interesting find in the large shell category was two perfect examples of
Ancilla.

Another way to collect at the fossil bed is to get chunks of dirt to take
home to search for the miniature shells. The procedure I follow is to take
the chunks home and first get them completely dry by placing them in the
oven at the lowest possible setting for several hours. I might point out a
word of caution - it is advisable to get the approval of your wife or hus-
band before trying this for the first time. Needless to say, without per-
mission to "cook" your fossil lump there would be several pages of harsh
words here. After the chunks are dry and cooled down, put them in a con-
tainer and cover with a solution of agricultural gypsum (available at a
nursery or farm supply store) and warm water. The application of this solu-
tion will turn the chunks of hard dirt into mud. Wash the mud through a
sieve (40 mesh) and place the retained material on a flat surface to dry.
After drying, look for the small bivalves, such as Calorhadia, Notocorbula,
Glycymeris, Tellina, and Vokesula. Also, look for juveniles of the larger
fossils mentioned above. I found a juvenile cone in my first batch. Many

39

minute Gastropods are in the clay chunks - Pyramidellas, Architectonica,

etc.

Although we did not find any Shark teeth or crab claws on this trip,

these are much-sought-for fossils at this site.

The following publications are helpful in identifying the fossils:

Sa

4.

*Publication in the library of The Houston Conchology Society.

"Fossils and Localities of the Claiborne Group (Eocene) of Texas",
James E. Knight, Irene D. Offeman and Ruth M. Landry, publi-

cation of the Houston Gem and Mineral Society,
Section).

"Fossils, An introduction to Prehistoric Life", William H. Mat-
thews (Everyday Handbooks No. 280).
"Pelecypods From the Type Locality of the Stone City Beds (Middle

Eocene) of Texas", H. B. Stenzel (University of Texas Publication
S704).

"Texas Fossils, and Amateur Collectors Handbook" W. H. Matthews
(University of Texas Guide Book No. 2).

(Paleontology

(All
other publications in the author's library).
Conus sauridens (Conrad)
Photos by Constance E. Boone
-

40

iata Gabb

Crassatella antestr

ira engonata Conrad

Cochlesp

ayaavetbusta carinata

Pseudol

in Gabb

in

Conrad

(Conrad)

Athleta petrosus

temdentata Gabb

torsio sep

Dats

itana Stenzel & Krause

Pitar petropol

4]

SEARCH AND SEIZURE By Constance E. Boone

A paper by Dr. Robert Robertson of the Department of Malacology, The Academy
of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, published in The Biological Bulletin,
155: 360-382 (October, 1978) gives the results of a study of some east North
American odostomioid pyramidellids and provides new light on systematic
placement of Texas species.also.

Titled "Spermatophores of Six Eastern North American Pyramidellid Gastro-
pods and Their Systematic Significance (With the new Genus Boonea)", the
paper presents the new assignment of six odostomioid species to the new genus
and to the Genus Fargoa for the first time in pyramidellid systematics on
non-conchological characters (except for shell size and protoconchs).

The new Genus Boonea Robertson, 1978 is named for Constance (Mrs. Hollis Q.)
Boone. For a number of years material of living and preserved mollusks has
been sent to Dr. Robertson for his studies, and I am deeply honored at his
thoughtfulness in naming the new genus for me.

Type of Boonea is seminuda (C.B. Adams, 1839), a species occurring in Texas.
Included in this genus also are Boonea bisuturalis (Say, 1822), reported
from this area but not confirmed by the author, and Boonea impressa (Say,
1822), a common shallow-water odostomioid in the Texas area.

Type of the Genus Fargoa Bartsch (1955, p. 80) is Fargoa calesi Bartsch,
1955 ("Pliocene" or Pleistocene) = "Odostomia" bushiana Bartsch, 1909.

The genus is used by Dr. Robertson for Fargoa Fargoa dianthophila (Wells and Wells,
1961), occurring also in Texas; Fargoa bushiana Bartsch, 1909, reported for
Texas; and Fargoa bartschi (Winkley, 1909), also in Texas. All three of
these are scarce. Your Search and Seizure author has collected F. bushiana
dead only and a few of F. dianthophila and bartschi alive. Dr. Robertson
predicts that "Odostomia" gibbosa, which lives in Texas in sands near shore
apparently, will be placed in Fargoa.

The placement of the six species in the two genera was done on the studies
of spermatophores which Dr. Robertson says are species-specific in structure
and postition.

The Biological Bulletin is published by the Marine Biological Laboratory of
Woods Hole, Mass. 02543. The price per volume is $22.00 for three issues.
The most recent issues, the 12 issues in 4 volumes published during the last
2 years, are available by order from the above address. The journal is is-
sued six times a year; therefore, the price for one year's subscription is
$44.00. Single numbers are available at $8.00. This information has been
sent me from the library at Woods Hole.

A reprint of the discussed paper, provided by Dr. Robertson, will be placed
in our library.

HER ERE RE
An interesting proposal for standardizing some common names for mollusks
has been made by the Americal Malacological Union. Dr. Carol Stein, presi-

dent of AMU in 1977-78, initiated discussion of the feasibility and desira-
bility of preparing a list of common names for mollusks.

42

The thought behind having an AMU list of common names for mollusks was
brought forth by the need envisioned when countries and governmental agencies
discuss endangered species or valuable mollusks for medical research or food.
Common names are being used by countries and agencies and often are not the
same in different areas and often are unusual, to say the least.

A year ago when I was helping to prepare the permanent exhibit of Texas mol-
lusks at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the problem of common names
for land snails and fresh water mussels could not be solved successfully.
Many marine shells have no adequate common names. Common names were left off
the labels when they weren't widely known. We did not want to manufacture
common names.

Some of the common names being used for some fresh water mussels include
"Dink pigtoe pearly mussel", "painted snake coiled forest snail", "turgid
riffle shell", "Higgins’ eye pearly mussel", "mudpuppy mussel", and "rough
rabbit's foot pearly mussel".

Many of us who are amateurs have struggled to learn Latin names for shells
because we are told these names are universal. Some of us do not wish to
use the Latin names because we are afraid to pronounce them. Some of us
are collectors who do not intend to seriously work with the shells we col-
lect and do not intend to catalog them with Latin names.

However, I have thought so many times of the statement in Myra Keen's Sea-
shells of Tropical West America where she notes that the common name, ae
wentletrap, for Epitonium is longer than the Latin name but is readily
adopted by amateurs who insist they cannot remember scientific names. I
think they are equal in pronunciation ease. It is also true that many

books give the common name in the text but not in the index.

Some reference books devise common names but don't agree. For instance,
we note that Epitonium albidum is listed as "bladed wentletrap" in one
book and as "white wentletrap" in another.

The general meeting of AMU in 1978 approved a motion for establishing a
committee to prepare a list of common names for mollusks of medical im-
portance, commercial importance, of major food supply and selected mol-
lusks as determined by the committee. We will hear more of this next
year. Such an AMU list would eventually be available for public use.

AMU-WSM TO MEET IN TEXAS THIS YEAR

The American Malacological Union will host a joint annual session with
the Western Society of Malacologists August 5-11, 1979 at Corpus Christi,
Texas. The Coastal Bend Shell Club will be the local host club for the
meeting which will be headquartered at the La Quinta Royal Motor Inn.

William E. Old, Jr., will be presiding as president. He extends an in-
vitation to all society members to attend the meeting. The Houston
Conchology Society is an affiliate club member of AMU. Members of the soc-
iety who are not individual members of the union are eligible to attend
the sessions and participate in all social and field trip events by
registering and paying special event fees for the meeting. Plans and

fees will be announced in the spring. Information may be obtained at

that time from Constance E. Boone, Recording Secretary, AMU., 3706 Rice
Blvd., Houston, Texas 77005.

The Western Society of Malacologists plans to hold a symposium on "The
Life Histories of Mollusks", and AMU will have a symposium on "The Mol-
lusks of the Gulf of Mexico", chaired by Dr. T.E. Pulley.

43

LIBRARY ADDITIONS

General Library Fund

Brazilian Marine Iconography

British Bivalve Seashells

British Shells

Animals With Shells

Exploring for Seashells on Martha's Vineyard
Hamlyn Guide to Shells of the World

How to Know the Eastern Land Snail
Illustrated Guide to Fossil Collecting
Seashells of the West Indies

Seashore Life of Florida and the Caribbean
Shelling in the Sea of Cortez

Shells of the Caribbean

Shells of the Pacific

Starfish

Wonders of Barnacles

Wonders of Starfish

Hugo Bauer Memorial Fund

1001 Questions Answered About the Seashore
A Day in the Life of a Sandy Beach

Baja (Travel Guide)

Crabs

Fascinating World of the Sea

Questions and Answers About Seashore Life
Shell Craft

Shell Life and Shell Collecting

When the Tide Goes Way Out

Wonders of Sponges

Yucatan Peninsula (Travel Guide)

Ruth Fair Memorial Fund

Australian Seashores in Colour
Coquillages de Polynesie

Field Guide to Shells of the World
Florida Fossil Explorations

Guide to Australian Shells

Guide to Shells of Papua, New Guinea
Marine Shells of the Pacific, Volume III
Seashells of Dar-es-Salaam - Gastropods
Seashells of Dar-es-Salaam - Pelecypods
Seashells of Sri Lanka

Seashells of Hawaii

Shell Collecting in Australia

Shells of New Zealand

The Coral Seas

The Story of Pearls

# ~ Books due in at time article submitted.

44

MONOGRAPH By H. Odé

DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA IN
THE NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO

(A Continuing Monograph)

SUPERFAMILY MYTILACEA

Family MYTILIDAE

The family Mytilidae in the N.W. Gulf of Mexico is remarkable for the
presence of two genera so far not yet known from the tropical Western
Atlantic. Solamen and Adula are components of the Panamanic Province
and their occurrence on the Texas coast is one more indication of the
close ties between the offshore Texas fauna and the more southerly
part of the Panamanic faunal province. Also, Dacrydium off Texas
appears to be more closely related to a species of the Galapagos
Islands than to Atlantic species. It further may be noted here that
the identification of several widespread species in our area presents
serious difficulties.

Mytilids are equivalve, in general somewhat elongate bivalves, either
attached by byssus to hard substrate or nestlers or borers and live
from shallow to deep water. Their size varies from small to large.
Four subfamilies are recognized which all live in the N.W. Gulf of
Mexico: Mytilinae with genera Brachidontes and Ischadium; Crenellinae,
with genera Crenella, Solamen, Musculus, Gregariella and Lioberus;
Modiolinae with genera Modiolus, Geukensia, Amygdalum and Botula;
Lithophaginae with Lithophaga and Adula. Soot-Ryen remarks that of
these subfamilies the Crenellinae are probably polyphyletic. It is
somewhat unlikely that Crenella and Solamen are in any way close to
Musculus or Gregariella. Juveniles of Crenella are not mytiloid in
appearance and the genus Crenella together with Solamen probably ought
to be split off in a separate family.
Sources: T. Soot-Ryen in Treat. Invert. Pal., Vol. N,
part 1, p. 271-281.
M. Keen, Sea Shells of Trop. West. America ,
p. 58, T9TT.
R. Turner and K. J. Boss, Johnsonia, Vol. 4, (41),
p. 81-116, 1962.

Genus Amygdalum Muhlfeld, 1811.

Very thin, often light colored shells of modiolid shape. Mostly
deep water. The animals are nestlers.

283. Amygdalum papyrium (Conrad, 1846).

Modiola papyria Conrad, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila, 3 (1),
p. 24, 1846.
This is one of the few species of the genus that live in shallow

45

water. A. papyrium has entered the coastal bays and although

it does not go as far up into the bays as some other mytilids,

it still can live in water less saline than seawater. It also

lives in the hypersaline bays, but is missing in offshore waters.

Texas material (no material from Louisiana is present in the

H.M.N.S. collection) is obtained along most bay margins (Galves-

ton Bay, Matagorda Bay, Corpus Christi Bay, South Padre Island)

and is mostly juvenile; good sized mature specimens are less

common but can occasionally be found nestling in root masses

at the bay margins. The color pattern is mostly a uniform glis-

tening muddy greenish brown seldom with appreciable flames and

patterns of lines as in other species. The species has also

been reported as A. arborescens Dillwyn 1817, and A. dentriticum

Muhlfeld 1811.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 7, listed;
15, abundant on Peat Island, Laguna Madre; 19, living in
Carancahua Bay, Keller Bay and Matagorda Bay; dead specimens
in Espiritu Santo Bay,. and Corpus Christi Bay; 21, listed:
45, Corpus Christi and Laguna Madre; 50, listed for Texas;
69, listed in appendix 8; 110, found in Lavaca Bay; 136,
listed "alive" in final list, not in text; 164, in Rockport
area and in Laguna Madre; 174, listed; 175, listed for "open
shallow hypersaline near inlet" assemblage, pl. 3, fig. 6;
178, upper end of Southern Laguna Madre and shallow barrier
flats; 194, listed as Lithophaga paprecea (sic!) mentioned as
food item for Black Drum fish; 206, beach record in Tex.
Conchol., Vol. 6, p. 58; 208, listed for grass flats; 225,
Galveston; 236, Galveston; 269, figured on page 158.

Records H.M.N.S.: 12 lots of which 9 contain live collected
material.

Depth Range: O-1 fms., mostly at bay margins.

Geographical Range: Texas and Maryland to Florida (Abbott, 1974)

Maximum Size: 25.5 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None of the 2 Panamanic species appear
tobe close,

284. Amygdalum sagittatum Rehder, 1934.
Modiolus (Amygdalum) sagittatus Rehder, Nautilus, Vol. 48
(4),.Ds I2l—-lee; Perea, ties.--—te.
This is a much blunter, flatter and thinner species from off-
shore waters. It is a nestler in its own byssus in a depth
range of 20-30 fms. It is diagonally divided into two color
regions, the posterior end being the darker. Inside the umbo
there is a small riblet.
Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 144, re-
ported from location 163.
Records H.M.N.S.:° "5 lots of »which.3 contain live materia.
Depth Range: 23-30 fms., alive 23-38 fms., nestling in sandy mud.
Geographical Range: Off Florida and Mississippi (Abbott, 1974).
Maximum Size: 33 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: Amygdalum pallidulum (Dall, 1916)
"----to 380m depth from northern California to Columbia"
Keen, 1971.

285. Amygdalum politum (Verrill and Smith, 1880).
Modiola polita Verrill and Smith, Am. Journ. Sci., 20,
p. 390-400. .y
We have only a single lot of fragmental material of this much

46

Fig. 1 Amygdalum papyrium (Conrad, 1846), a 24 mm. wide specimen col-

lected at Hoecker's Point, Galveston West Bay, by Harold Geis on Feb. Ahi
1968.

=

larger Amygdalum, which has been ditedged occasionally from much
deeper waters in the Gulf of Mexico. These fragment’ indicate
a size of over 2 inches. They were obtained off the Mississippi
delta.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 144, reported
from locations 542, 548.

Records H.M.N.S.: One lot, no live material

Depth Range: 228 fms., on mud.

Geographical Range: North Atlantic to West Indies, Gulf of Mexico.

Maximum Size: Probably in excess of 2 inches.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

Genus Geukensia Poel, 1959.

A radially ribbed modiolid, which is surprisingly like the mytilids of the
genus Brachidontes. Lives in brackish water.

286. Geukensia demissa granosissima (Sowerby, 1914).

Modiolus demissus granosissimis, Sowerby, Proc. Mal. Soc.

London, Vol. 11, p. 9, 1914. _ haa 2 oe
This large brackish water modiolid can be collected together
with Tagelus in root masses along bay margins of Galveston
and Matagorda Bay systems. Further south in Texas it is rare,
and apparently south of Corpus Christi it is missing in Texas,
but appears again in Mexico. It is restricted to bay margin
environment. Rare beach specimens have been transported to ~’
the beach by gulls, who eat them. I have observed this twice
on Galveston West Beach where I surprised gulls during their
meal, of this for humans almost inedible mollusk. G. demissa
lives along the eastern seaboard and is not as finely ribbed
as the southern granosissima (Florida-Texas-Yucatan). In
spite of careful collection I have not succeeded in obtaining
juvenile material smaller than 12 mm. These are very similar
to the much smaller juveniles of Ischadium. G. demissa will
finally be classified close to Ischadium. It has 3 muscular
impressions like Brachidontes and Modiolus.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 1, (as
Modiola plicatula Lamarck) Galveston; 7, (as M. plicatula
Lamarck, var. semicostata Conrad) listed; 15, (as M. plicatula
Lamarck) Galveston Bay; 18, (as M. plicatula semicostata Conrad), |
Galveston Bay; 19, along the reedy shore of Carancahua Bay,
Lavaca Bay, Matagorda Bay. "They are not good eating"; 21,
listed as M. plicatula Lamarck; 26, recent from Nova Scotia to
Georgia, West Florida and Texas. Locally restricted towards
the extremes of its distribution; 45, Lavaca, Matagorda and
Galveston Bays, Texas; 126, listed for bays and lagoons, mod-
erate to high salinity, sandy or muddy bottom, Carolinian
province; 145, shallow shelf, dead; 206, beach records in Tex.
Conchol., Vol. 6, p. 58, 1970; 225, Galveston; 236, Galveston;
269, figured on page 66, Marine Pleistocene of Texas; 110,
found living in peaty mud above high tide mark in Galveston
Bay; pl. G, “‘figi WH.

Records H.M.N.S.: 7 lots of which 4 contain live collected
material.

Depth Range: O-1 fms., alive O-1 fms.

Geographical Range: Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Mexico.

Maximum Size: 107 mn.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: Not in Panamanic province but intro--
duced into San Francisco Bay.

48

Genus Modiolus Lamarck, 1799.

Anterior part of the shell extending in front of the umbo. Two species are
reported to live in the N.W. Gulf of Mexico, but here only one species can
be identified with certainty.

287. Modiolus americanus (Leach, 1815).
This well known tulip mussel can be usually collected along
Padre Island where it washes to shore attached by byssus to
seawhip. At numerous offshore localities fragmental material
is dredged. Abbott, 1974, cites for the N.W. Gulf of Mexico
only another species of the genus: M. modiolus squamosus
Beauperthuy, 1967, and fails to mention M. americanus for the
area. This iS an error since M. squamosus as far as I know
has never been collected in Texas. However, most specimens
in the H.M.N.S. collection came from seawhip to which the
animals are attached by byssus. On Heald Bank a living speci-
men of a Modiolus americanus (36 mm.) was dredged which in
coloration is somewhat different, although not in shape. It
was a nestler, which was dredged as a "mud ball". Its color
hardly shows any pink, but the shell is drab brown olive and
totally covered by periostracum. (Usually M. americanus is ob-
tained from seawhip only partially covered.) There is only an
indication of white radial band and also the internal hue of
the white is dark. The hairs of the periostracum, however,
are long and slender. Juveniles of Modiolus are quite tri-
angular in shape with a flaring posterior end and a small
snout like anterior part in front of the umbo. (See sketch).
By these criteria they can be distinguished from juveniles of
Lioberus which live often together with Modiolus in the same
environment. Juveniles of both species are quite compressed.
It may be noted here that juveniles of almost all mytilids of
which I have seen juvenile material (1-23 mm.) are somewhat
elongate and quite compressed. The only exgeptions are true
crenellids (Crenella and Solamen) which probably would be more
properly placed in a separate family. Musculus and Gregariella
are true mytilids.

Modiolus Lioberus

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 21, listed;
45, listed; 61, listed for Corpus Christi Bay; 69, listed in
appendix 8; 98, listed for South Texas bays and Padre Island;
110, broken shells are rare on all Texas beaches, pl. 6, fig.
15; 135, dead in the Gulf; 156, common on Stetson Bank, may not
live there; 170, listed for shallow shelf assemblage; 174, listed;
192, figured on pl. 7, figs. 8A-B; 206, beach records Tex. Conchol.,
Vet. 6, p. 58; 269, figured on p. 156.

Records H.M.N.S.: 37 lots, of which 11 contain live collected
material.

Depth Range: 0-55 fms., alive 0-55 fms., either on seawhip or sandy

49

shelly bottoms.

Geographical Range: South Carolina to Florida to Brazil, Bermuda;
Gulf of California to Peru. - (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 73 mm., but fragments indicate a much larger size #4 4",

Eastern Pacific Analogue: Modiolus pseudotulipus Olsson, 1961, is
considered by several experts to be identical with M. americanus
Leach. "Bahia Magdalena, Baja California, to Peru" (Keen, 197 Ths

288. Modiolus spec. indet. A.

A single juvenile shell of very small dimensions (#4 1 mm.) is
so different from other material that we have classified it
separately. Until further material is found little can be said
about it. Its generic assignation may be in error..

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.

Records H.M.N.S.: 1 lot.

Depth Range: 11 fms., in shelly mud off Galveston.

Geographical Range: Unknown.

Maximum Size: .9 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None?

Genus Botula, Morch, 1853.
Rather inflated with coiled umbo and dark brown to olive brown periostracum.

289. Botula fusca (Gmelin, 1791).
This very different bivalve is only taken in calcareous environ-
ment (Flower Gardens and off Louisiana). The valves possess a
number of fine serrations posterior to the ligament. Uncommon
in the Northwest Gulf of Mexico. Most specimens are rather
light brown rather thar chestnut brown in coloration, but the
colors vary considerably in a population. Juveniles are elong-
ate in shape and rather flat.

It may be noted that some of our material is considerably in
excess over the 3/4 inch size given by Abbott (1974).

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 147, alive
from East and West Flower Gardens; 174, listed.

Records H.M.N.S.: 8 lots, of which two contain live collected
material.

Depth Range: 10-51 fms., alive 10-28 fms., in calcareous environ-
ment.

Geograpical Range: North Carolina to Florida, West Indies, Bermuda, |
Brazil (Abbott, 1974). .

Maximum Size: 28.5 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: Botula cyclista Berry, 1959. Probably
identical with the Atlantic B. fusca! "Mazatlan, Mexico to
Manta, Ecuador (rare)" (Keen, 1971).

Genus Ischadium Jukes-Brown, 1905.
Superficially close to Brachidontes and Geukensia, but umbo not as far in
front as in Brachidontes and arrangement of teeth and muscular impressions

different.

290. Ischadium recurvum (Rafinesque, 1820).

It is not always a simple matter to separate Ischadium from
Brachidontes (Hormomya). For quite small juveniles,

Fig. 2 Modiolus spec. indet A, a 1.1 mm. wide specimen taken from the
24 fm. lump 113 miles SE of Galveston, Texas, from algae debris and shells
brought up by divers on board the USS Haynsworth DD 700 on Oct. 7, 1967,
from 25-28 fms.

a ae, . : |
s Botula fusca (Gmelin, 1791), a specimen 18.5 mm. wide, 8.9 mm.

igh, collected from coral bottom, 65-85 ft., by divers on the USS Hayns-
worth DD 700, from the East Flower Gardens, 103 miles SE of Galveston, Texas.

51

178, upper extremity of northern Laguna Madre; 202, listed for
Mexico, Laguna de Terminos, plate 1, fig. 5; 206, beach records
in Tex. Conchole.. vol. 6, Be, AT; 208, listed for oyster reef;
225, he alana 236, Galveston; 269, figured on page 157.

Records H.M.N.S. 30 Lots, of which 19 contain live collected
material.

Depth Range: O-1 fms., alive O-1 fms.

Geographical Range: Cape Cod to the West Indies (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 63.5 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

Genus Brachidontes Swainson, 1840.

According to Keen (1971) the subdivision of this genus into two subgenera
Brachidontes and Hormomya is difficult to defend. Here a conservative course
is followed and one of the 2 Texas species, which can hardly be considered
part of the fauna (adventitious?) is classified in Brachidontes, the other

in Hormomya.

291. Brachidontes (Brachidontes) modiolus (Linne, 1758).

Only rarely some valves have been taken at the Port Isabel jetty.
It is a more elongate and yellower species than the next one;
probably the few specimens known from the South Padre Island
jetty are adventitious and the species cannot maintain itself so
far north. A single dead specimen was dredged in 55 fms. off |
Louisiana. This species used to be known as B. citrinus (Roding,
1798) . |

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: (Note: I suspect
that most, if not all, of these records pertain to: incorrectly
identified Hormomya). 147, listed for reefs; 161, listed for
Laguna Madre; 160, dead at several locations in Matagorda Bay;
164, alive in Rockport area, alive in Laguna Madre; 174, listed;
178, Baffin Bay;192, plate 8, fig. 3, Alacran Reef, Yucatan; 206,
beach records Tex. Conchol., Vol. 6, p. 47; 208, serpulid worm
tubes, barnacles and B. citrinus are the most common potential
fossils of these reefs (serpulid reefs in Baffin and Alacran
Bays); 225, Galveston; 236, Galveston.

Records H.M.N.S.: 1 lot.

Depth Range: 0-55 fms.

Geographical Range: Southern Florida and West Indies. (Abbott, 1974

Maximum Size: 8 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: ?

292. Brachidontes (Hormonya) c.f. exustus (Linne, 1758).
The identification of the N.W. Gulf of Mexico species of Hormomya — }
is beset by uncertainties. According to Abbott (1974), there are a
two closely similar species in the Western Atlantic, mainly dif-
fering in degree of inflation, thickness, number of riblets, color
and habitat. The finer ribbed species is figured by Abbott as
B. exustus Linne, which is lighter colored than B. domingensis
Lamarck and which prefers slightly brackish water habitat. B.
exustus Linne is also said to be less arched than B. domingensis. |
The Texas representative of Hormomya has the ribbing of B. domin- -
gensis (far less marginal crenulations than 90), lives for a few
exceptions mainly in brackish water bays, and on the whole is /
extremely variable in shape, inflation and shell thickness. Its |
color is a peculiar "burned yellow", which gave B. exustus Linne

a2

less than 1-2 mm., there is little trouble because Ischadium has
a juvenile which is much more elongate than that of Hormomya.
However for shells in the range of 4-8 mm., distinction is some-
time quite difficult. Due to the unequal growth rate along the
margin - this precisely causes the hooked nature of I. recurvum
- Ischadium reaches a stage during which it to a surprising de-
gree resembles Brachidontes. At this relatively early stage the
shell is still light colored, much like Hormomya. There are
however a number of characters which allow one to separate both
species without a direct look at the hinge. Ischadium is much
the flatter of the two and the contour of the highest elevation
on a flat lying valve (convex side up) is much closer to the
dorsal margin than in Hormomya. Also the valve is more rounded
and less winglike.

Once Ischadium reaches a size of 5-8 mm. internal solid coloring
starts which during the life of the shell gradually intensifies.
Large specimens become outwardly a dark gray blue. Juvenile
material is never, as in Hormomya, outwardly blotched by purple
streaks. A most telling difference between Ischadium and Hormomya
is the margin posterior to the ligament. In Ischadium the margin
is smooth, in Hormomya there are 5 to 6 small teeth. Finally
Ischadium carries 2 muscular impressions, Hormomya 3 (see sketch).
According to Soot-Ryen Ischadium
misses the anterior retractor

muscle.
~ Of all bivalves Ischadium lives
y farthest up into the brackish

water bays (except for Dreissena),

but can tolerate also fairly high

salinities so that on occasion it

can be collected with Hormomya.

It is found alive in all coastal

bays of Texas and Louisiana and
Ischadium Hormomya dead valves are often found on
aa goa pote the beaches.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 1, (as Mytilus
hamatus Say), listed for Galveston, common; 7, listed as Mytilus
hamatus Say; 15, as Mytilus hamatus Say, common all along the
coast; 18, as Mytilus hamatus Say, Galveston and Corpus Christi,
very abundant on oyster reefs; 19, as Mytilus hamatus Say, very
common on oysters, sometimes so numerous as to render oysters
unfit for market; 21, listed as Mytilus hamatus Say; 45, Galves-
ton, Corpus Christi; 56, listed; 61, as Mytilus hamatus listed
for Corpus Christi area; 68, listed for Mustang and Padre Islands;
67, listed for Point Isabel; 69, oyster reefs, listed in appendix
8; 91, on all jetties; especially in East Texas; 98, dead in many
bays, alive on reefs, Laguna Madre; 110, commonly found growing
on oysters on pilings in all the bays, plate 6, figs. 17-18; 126,
listed for jetties and oyster reefs in bays of Carolinian Pro-
vince; 134, on oysters in East Galveston Bay; 139, listed for
low salinity oyster reef, pl. 38, fig. 6; 145, lower sound, up-
per sound, inlets of Mississippi delta, pl. 2, figs. 14A-B; 146,
oyster reef, plate 4, fig. 43; 156, Stetson Bank, fossil; 160,
dead in Matagorda Bay; 164, alive in Rockport area in several
types of environment, dead in Laguna Madre; 174, listed; 179,
listed for low salinity oyster reef assemblage, plate 1, fig. 9;

a3

Depth Range: 0-25 fms; alive: O-1 fms. and 36-45 feet (offshore).
Geographical Range: North Carolina to Texas and the West Indies.

its name. However some few specimens appear to be darkly colored,
but these are specimens with an unusually dense pattern of purple
streaks. In shape some Texas material is on the whole slightly
hooked like Ischadium. The situation is somewhat more confused
than represented here because at two occasions live specimens
were taken offshore in water 36-45 feet deep; these specimens

are indistinguishable from bay specimens. The N.W. Gulf of Mexic
species may turn out to be a subspecies of one of the two cited
species, and for the time being I will label it as everybody in
the past has done. It lives in profusion in all Texas coastal
bays and although the H.M.N.S. collection lacks material from
Louisiana I expect it to live also there.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 7, listed; 15,

Corpus Christi, on oysters; as Mytilus cubitus Say, Corpus Christ:
common on oysters; 19, fresh shells in Lavaca Bay, none alive;
21, listed; 45, Corpus Christi and Lavaca Bay; 55, listed; 110,
abundant on the Rockport jetty, also found at Port Isabel, pl. 6,
figs. 11-12; 114, commonly found on oyster shells, Aransas Bay,
San Antonio Bay, Copano Bay, pl. 56, fig. 10; 135, alive in bays;
139, listed for high salinity oyster reef, pl. 38, fig. 9; 143, |
listed for Matagorda Bay; 145, upper sound, Mississippi delta,

pl. 2, figs. 13A-B; 160, dead at several locations in Matagorda
Bay; 164, alive in Rockport area, dead in Laguna Madre; 174,
listed; 175, listed for high salinity oyster reef, commonly at-
taches to oyster valves, pl. 2, fig. 21; 193, common on oyster
clumps in Port Isabel area; 194, food items for black drum fish;
206, beach records in Tex. Conchol., Vol. 6, p. 47; 225, Galves-
ton; 236, Galveston; 269, figured on page 157 (very typical).

Records H.M.N.S.: 35 lots, of which 20 contain live collected .

material

Brazil to Uruguay. (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 20.7 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: None of the Panamanic species appears

close. 2 i

Genus Dacrydium Torell, 1859.

Dacrydium is known from the North Atlantic, but the species described from
cold water does not fit the material in the H.M.N.S. collection. Practially
indistinguishable from our material appears to be Dacrydium elegantulum |
Soot-Ryen, described from the Galapagos Islands. This species belongs in

the subgenus Quendreda Iredale, 1924.

293.

Dacrydium (Quendreda) elegantulum Soot-Ryen, 1955.

Records H.M.N.S.: 10 lots, of which T contains live collected

The hinge of this bivalve has a resilium bordered by two small
teeth. The surface of the shell is strikingly colored by broad |
somewhat radial oily streaks. Widespread off the Louisiana coast’
but rarer off Texas.

Previous records of the Texas faunal province are: Mentioned in

Tex. Conchol., Vol. 9, p. 94, as Mytilid.

material.

Depth Range: 24-170 fms. in calcareous environment (shallow) and

mud bottom (deeper). Alive at 55 fms. on sandy mud.

Geographical Range: Recently described from Galapagos (1955; |

("A report on the family Mytilidae....Allan Hancock Pacific
Expig Volks {20,°0No.? 1)

Maximum Size: 3.1 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: On Galapagos Islands.

54

Genus Lioberus Dall, 1898.
Smooth, without teeth, somewhat inflated, elongate.
294. Lioberus castaneus (Say, 1822).

Modiola castanea Say, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila.,

2. Os 200.6
This fairly common nestler is widespread over the shallow
sandy portions of the offshore Texas shelf. As Modiolus
americanus it is also commonly found attached to seawhip
rafted in ashore along South Padre Island and a single
fragment comes from the Flower Gardens. Most dredged
material is juvenile and can be easily distinguished: from
other mytilids. Although reported for the bay I have not
seen material from the bays.

Previous records of the Texas faunal province are: 21, (as
Modiolus ligneus Reeve) listed; 110, (as Botula castanea
Say, 1822) a few shells in Aransas Bay; 136, not in text,
but in final list, off East Texas; 160, alive in Matagorda
Bay; 206, beach records Tex. Conchol., Vol. 6, p. 58; 253,
on reef offshore Padre Island, 2 fresh valves; 269, figured
on page 159.

Records H.M.N.S.: 14 lots of which 11 contain live collected
material.

Depth Range: 0-25 fms., alive 0-25 fms., in sandy shelly
bottoms.

Geographical Range: Both sides of Florida and the West Indies.
Brazil. (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 22.8 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: Lioberus salvadoricus (Hertlein and
Strong, 1946). Keen, 1971, gives Sonoran coast of Mexico
to Costa Rica as range.

————— |

Pig. 4 Lioberus castaneus (Say, 1822), specimen 16.6 mm. wide, 10.2 mm.

high, taken in 25 fms. by dredge on Gus III, Bureau of Commercial Fisher-
1es ship, 55 miles SE of Freeport, Texas, December 7, 1966.

Photos by Harold Geis

5

Genus Solamen Iredale, 1924.

Of this thin shelled genus a single species is taken in the N.W. Gulf of
Mexico. Soot-Ryen considers Rhomboidella a subgenus of Solamen, but Abbott
inverts tne reLationsnip Dy considering Rhomboidella Monterosato, "18s4,

as the genus and Solamen the subgenus. Finally Keen (1971) seems to imply
that Solamen Iredale, 1924, is used improperly and calls the genus Mega-
crenella Habe, 1965 (Abbott states as authors Habe and Ito, 1965). It is
probable that our species is closely related if not the same as Solamen
columbiana Dall, 1897 (? Solamen megas Dall, 1902) of the Panamanic fauna.

295. Solamen (Rhomboidella) spec. indet. A.

This paper thin bivalve is not particularly rare in the 20-50
fms. range, but complete material is quite rare due to its ex-
treme fragility. There are very many radials (probably about
100, I did not count). The prodessoconch is relatively large
and orbicular, smooth, white and ending abruptly against the
glassy shell. Hinge with thickened anterior part bearing
several "teeth". There is a long groove for the ligament.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.

Records H.M.N.S.: 12 lots, none alive.

Depth Range: 133-70 fms., in sandy mud.

Geographical Range: Unknown.

Maximum Size: Unknown, but probably in excess of 3 inch.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: Megacrenella columbiana (Dall, 1897)
may be identical. "It has = dredged in 29-530 m. depth
from the Aleutian Islands to southern Mexico - or to Panama,

if C. megas is, as suspected, a synonym" (Kenn, 1971).

Genus Crenella Brown, 1827.

Rather inflated and thick shelled for such a minute bivalve. Surface sculp-
ture of irregular radials. Margin dentate and hinge thickened and striated.

296. Crenella c.f. divaricata (d'Orbigny, 1845).

It is with some doubt that I assign most of the Crenellas to |
d'Orbigny's species. It is definitely not Crenella abbotti des-
cribed by Altena from Surinam. The inflation of the valves is
considerable, its shape is ovate and overall it resembles the
figures of the species given by Keen (1971) closely.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 147, alive on
East Flower Garden.

Records H.M.N.S.: 12 lots, of which 1 contains live collected
material. ;

Depth Range: 27-170 fms., in calcareous environment and on mud
bottoms; alive: 40 fms.

Geographical Range: North Carolina to Florida and the West Indies.
(Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 4.0 mn.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: The same species lives in the Eastern
Pacific "....from Southern California through the Gulf of Calif-
ornia and south to Peru, mainly offshore in depths of 4-450
meters" (Keen, 1971).

To be continued

56

HOUSTON CONCHOLOGY SOCIETY, INC.

Officers 1978-79

' | Frank Petway
a ‘Vice-President Charles A. Doh
| Trip Wice Pedeident. Maryann Curtis
ig bray Joanne Hoard
Secretary | Jim Sartor
nding Secretary Lucy Clampit

Directors
Helmer Odé Frank Van Morkhoven
Margie Woods Ruth Goodson
sxas Conchologist Te Constance E. Boone
2 Past President i Wilson B. Ward

t

_ Honorary Life Members

Pulley , “ Dr. Helmer 0dé

: ws
Ah fone TY

CONCHOLOGST

APRIL, 1979

The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST is the official publication of the Houston Conchol-
ogy Society, Inc., and is published quarterly at Houston, Texas. It is
distributed as part of the dues to all members.

The Society holds regular meetings the fourth Wednesdays of the follow-
ing months: August, September, October, January, February, March, April
and May. The meeting is held the third Wednesday in November. Meetings
are held at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Caroline Street in
Hermann Park, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST is published October, January, April and July.

It is mailed postpaid to regular members in U.S. postal zones. Overseas
members will be charged additional postage. Only one copy will be mailed
a family membership.

Dues extend from the beginning of the fiscal year of June 1 through May

31. However, the July issue of the TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST each year is the
fourth quarterly due on the regular dues year beginning June 1 of the
previous year. Memberships will be accepted throughout the year but will —
receive the quarterlies of that fiscal year. Members receive meeting
Newsletters and have all other privileges provided by the Society's by-
laws.

RATES AND DUES

Family membership $6.00
Single membership $5.00
Student membership $2.00
Single Issues $1.50
Extra sets mailed members $5.00
lpeetans for overseas members required)

EDITOR | CIRCULATION

Constance E. Boone Mr. and Mrs. Sam Miron
668-8252 723-3628

3706 Rice Boulevard 5238 Sanford Street
Houston, Texas 77005 Houston, Texas 77035

EDITORIAL STAFF

Helmer Od& W. W. Sutow Herschel S. Sands
664-9942 748-7233 772-6613

4811 Braeburn Drive 4371 N. MacGregor Way 8902 Cadawac Road
Bellaire, Texas 77401 Houston, Texas 77004 Houston, Texas 77074

The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST accepts contributions for publication from ama-
teurs, students, and professionals, subject to approval by the Editor.
Manuscripts should be typed, double spaced and should be in the hands of
the Editor the first day of the month preceding publication dates.
Photos accompanying such material are welcomed.

SEARCH AND SEIZURE By Constance E. Boone

After talking about Amaea Mitchelli (Dall, 1896) at the February meeting,

it became apparent that many members had not seen a specimen of this uncommon
to rare Epitonium. The natural question from some members was how could they
get a specimen. Could a specimen be bought?

The prompt response from me was that the shell was seldom offered on lists
these days. Five to ten years ago it could be occasionally seen on a list.
Most recently (last two years) Betty Allen of Shop of the Seven Seas of Port
Isabel, Texas, listed it. Most of the shells offered were beach shells. You
seldom saw a live-taken specimen offered at any time. Once in a while some-
body could buy one from a shrimper. It is a species that lives offshore in
the Gulf of Mexico and now known down to Panama. Trawlers could net the
shell when they worked for shrimp on the bottom. They no longer do this so
sources for the shell have dried up.

Yet every year someone you know does find the shell on the beach, broken
perhaps, yet prized. Our members the Lonnie Hobbs' from Alvin, found one

at San Luis Pass, Galveston Island, in February of this year, and our member
Sam Mundorff from Freeport found one the same month at Bryan Beach.

As reported to members at the February meeting, I only know of a few live-
taken specimens from the beach. A former principal, Dorothy Sorrells, found
one once at San Jose Island (St. Joseph's) near Port Aransas, and Betty Allen
found a couple after a storm at South Padre Island.

Members were informed that even pieces were prized. Mildred Tate of Lake
Jackson still has the specimen she pieced together from fragments to make a
whole shell which she entered in the county fair once and won Shell of the
Show. It was, of course, entered as a fake, but the idea was intriguing to
shell collectors and the judges. Maybe this will be an antique some day.

Named for J.D. Mitchell of Victoria, Texas, an early collector of sea life

and amateur conchologist in the Matagorda area, this shell has long been a
favorite of Texas shellers. Every year a request is received for purchase

or trade of this shell. There was a time when I had a few specimens I could
spare in trade or gift. It has been so scarce in recent years that collect-
ions are being kept. Pieces can be found on many of our beaches, especially
at Matagorda Beach. Once seen in fair numbers at Sargent, this area no longer
produces many specimens. In addition to haunting the drift line at water's
edge, collectors learn to check out shell deposits thrown up higher on the
beach.

So, if you are asked what shell is rare in Texas, name this one. It is a
beautiful shell, brown and white and commanding in appearance among Epi-
toniids.

HKKKRKEE

Now thinking of "rare" Texas shells leads me to talk of other shells hard
to add to your collection, some rare anywhere and most very hard to find
on lists of sale shells.

Some of these were offered at our auction for members--begged from lucky
members so that you could add them to your specialized Texas collection.

I

Rangianella flexuosa (Conrad, 1839) is an ugly small clam found in muddy
river inlets and in lakes like Clear Lake near Kemah, Texas. Some bayous
should be checked in the Galveston Bay area also.

It took me a long time to distinguish this species from the more common

one, Rangia cuneata. You have to look at the position of the umbones
(rarely mentioned in discussion of flexuosa), the laterals and the pallial
line. (See drawings) Rangianella flexuosa is called a "rare and elusive
species from marsh areas" in Dr. Tucker Abbott's Second Edition of American
Seashells. Called.the "Brown Rangia" and described as a species with a brown
interior (from original description), this species in my experience in Texas
is not brown inside at all but is of the same bluish-white color as cuneata.
It is a smaller shell usually than cuneata, and the two species can be found
together. The shapes are variable, but flexuosa usually is more elongate.
Don't count on this for identification.

Specimens were dug once at Clear Lake in front of Leola and Berkeley Glass's
home, but the lake has so much muddy muck in it now in that area that Leola
is no longer sure it exists there. At extreme low tides recently she has not
seen specimens exposed. Specimens have been taken by this writer and others
in the Palacios Bay area, never in abundance.

This shell certainly isn't much to look at and doesn't have the appeal of
colorful univalves, but you should work on shells "in your own backyard"

and count this one as a rarity in your collection when you add it there. No,
I can't tell you how to purchase one. I've never seen it on a list. Leola
has about exhausted her spare specimens. You may have to go digging in the
mud!

Rangianella flexuosa Rangia cuneata

atte i. —— ~ a

Another Texas species, one that you really should be able to add to your
collection, is one seldom seen in collections. By sieving in the bays
around Corpus Christi, Texas, and South Padre Island, Texas, you may collect
a small tellin, Tellina texana Dall, 1900. For many years it was mixed up
with the more common Macoma mitchelli Dall, 1895. We get Macoma mitchelli
fairly regularly in East Galveston Bay areas. Both species are iridescent
but shaped differently and are, of course, in different genera.

Tellina texana is not rare. Macoma mitchelli is not rare. Collectors just
do not dig in the mud in bays often enough to add it to their collections.
You do not find them offered on lists. Both are one inch sized bivalves and
certainly not too small to be overlooked if you are,sloshing around in the
mud and examining trails on mud flats at low tide.

RK E

I am sure you'll never see Agriopoma texasiana on lists. (Oh, boy, I know
better than to say "never". Many a researcher has had to eat this word as
time goes on!) It seems to be rare everywhere in the Gulf of Mexico. It
must live just offshore in the sand but must live deeply enough to avoid
being tossed up on shore very often. It gets to be two inches, but I counted
myself very, very lucky to find four medium and small specimens one day this
winter at Jamaica Beach area. There have been more whole and live specimens

found the last couple of years than many years before that. This is the
shell we represented only by valves in our Texas buckets in 1977. Many
members called it the "ugly" because the valves tossed up on the beach
certainly aren't beautiful and though large are usually gray and worn. We
felt collectors should learn to know the shell. The fresh or live speci-
men is delicately cream and thin and usually much smaller than the big
ugly valves. The only two large live-taken specimens I have came from St.
Joseph's State Park, tossed up on the West Florida Gulf beach, collected
by our member Carl Young of Corpus Christi, Texas. I have big fossil
pairs tossed up on our shores and a few smaller pairs, some live-taken.
Specimens recently collected were usually found at 16-Mile Road, Galveston
Island, Texas, Surfside Beach and Matagorda Beach.

HEEEKEEE

One could list other hard-to-acquire shells from Texas beaches, of course,
but some have already been discussed in earlier columns. The point, I
think, is that you should pick up any shell or valve that seems different
to you and check it out to learn about it. There are so many times you
won't have any idea what you have. Even broken specimens need to be kept
if they are the first of the species you have collected. The hunt will be
on to find live ones throughout your life.

Try adding the following shells to your collection from Texas: 1) Neritina
reclivata (Say, 1822), uncommon in Texas but certainly not from the Northern
Gulf Coast around Alabama, etc., so don't cheat and count that area; 2) Has-
tula maryleeae R.D. Burch, 1965, a fairly newly-named Terebra with type lo-
ality as-Freeport, Texas, but not often appearing thereéYow-and more common
farther south in the surf zones; 3) Recluzia rollaniana Petit, 1853, a brown
Janthina found associated with Minyas sea anemones that wash in on the beaches,
usually in the Spring; 4) Solen viridis Say, 1822, a small bivalve resembling

as

Ensis minor that can be dug at San Luis Pass bay flats, as well as Bolivar
and farther south; 5) Epitonium sericifilum (Dall, 1889), a lovely tiny and
unusual Epitoniid that can be picked from drift at South Padre Island. Live
ones? I only know of one report of a live-taken specimen in all the years

I have been collecting and I haven't seen that one.

So you see, you can find uncommon shells in Texas. You can be as proud of
them as the gorgeous Cassis you bring home from the Caribbean or the lovely
Lambis from the Pacific.

Let me hear from you when you add some of the named shells to your collection.

SHELL CRAZY By Herschel S. Sands

If you are like most shell collectors, collecting doesn't stop with
the real thing, but extends into many decorative items for the home
and wearing apparel.

Many of our friends think my wife Kaye and I have literally gone "shell
crazy", and they are right! Not only do we display shells in every

room but we have gone further. One bathroom has shell wallpaper, a shell
mirror, towels with appliqued shells and a hanging plant in a white pot
with shells as well as being hung by a shell and sea urchin holder.

The den contains watercolors, paintings, lithographs of shells, as well
as framed shells and shell stamps, a sofa covered in a large shell de-
sign with a matching table cover across the room, and a mobile from the
Philippines made of Capiz shells, with the ornaments in the shape of
shells. Even the kitchen is not without shells - a set of canisters with
a group of shells on top of each lid and a shell night light. The break-
fast room houses a gift from Kaye on my last birthday - a beautiful
wreath made of brass and bronze colored shells. Yes, we are "shell crazy’.

Here are a few sources of decorative items which can be purchased thru
specialty type gift catalogues which I am sure many of you may not re-
ceive. They are available just by writing and asking to be put on their
mailing list.

The Paragon, 35 High Street, Westerly, Rhode Island 02891 - One catalogue
showed a sea urchin lamp, shell night light and shell napkin rings.

Trifles, P.O. Box 44432, Dallas, Texas 75234 -Listed in a recent catalogue
was a 10 inch tall brass stemmed lamp with a peach colored shell for the
shade, a 14 inch canvas pillow handpainted with a sand dollar, bookends
with real Nautilus shells mounted on clear acrylic bases, and elegant

fold over notes with a superb Nautilus shell embossed on them.

The Horchow Collection, P.O. Box 34257, Dallas, Texas 75234 - I couldn't
believe my eyes when I opened one catalogue and saw a sterling silver ladle
with the handle as a Tibia fusus (only $350), and beautiful luncheon plates
in the shape of a shell from France. At $22.50 each, the description read
"makes a perfect first course or luncheon plate"!.

Once you get on the mailing list of these catalogues, others will most
probably be sent from other such companies, but what, fun when they arrive.

60

MOLLUSCANA By W.W. Sutow

The first issue of the journal, now TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, appeared in Septem-
ber, 1964. As we enter the 15th consecutive year of publication, under a
new editor, it seems appropriate to review the early history of this club
organ.

What is now the HOUSTON CONCHOLOGY SOCIETY was at one time a part of the
Conchology Group of the Outdoor Nature Club. At the August, 1964 meeting,

the club members unanimously voted to start an official club publication

for the club. Fortuitously, Liz Eubanks had just moved from the Jackson-
ville (Florida) area to Pasadena. She was an active shell collector and had
edited the publication of the Jacksonville Shell Club, "SHELL-O-GRAM". .Liz

was elected editor and Helmer Od€ was named associate editor. Dr. T.E. Pulley
assented to become the professional consultant.

Volume 1 Number 1 made its debut as a mimeographed sheet. The embryo publi-
cation did not yet have a name. But with the very first issue there appeared
a feature section entitled "Notes Concerning Texas Beach Shells" by Helmer

Odé and Mrs. A. Speers. Helmer and Anne were to continue this feature through
Volume IX, No. 3, March, 1973.

The initial issue had no masthead but the second (October, 1964) came out

with the name CONCHOLOGIST suggested by this writer. The masthead was labor-
iously put together by Ernie Libby. Ernie went further. He talked Ken Weaver
into running the material off the printing press at M.D. Anderson Hospital.
The format and size were agreed upon - those of a folded typewriter sheet.
With the second number, a new feature section was added, entitled "Mollusks

in the Journals" which subsequently (August, 1965) became "Molluscana". ©

After the third number was printed, a major crisis developed. The publica-
tion by that time had begun to expand its circulation. Dr. Clench saw a copy
and informed the editor that the name CONCHOLOGIST had been used by a short-
lived and now defunct journal in England. At the November, 1964 meeting,

the name of this publication was officially changed to "TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST".

The new masthead? Once again, resourceful Ernie Libby came to the rescue.

He shifted the "CONCHOLOGIST" slightly to the right of midline and added in
script the word "TEXAS". The masthead he prepared at that time has been re-
tained even though the format was changed recently. (Ernie was officially
recognized as Art Editor of TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST beginning May, 1965.) Behind
the scenes, the laborious typing for the early volumes was handled by Dorothy
Kister who appropriated Tom Kister's office machine for the job.

During the summer of 1965 Liz and family moved away from Houston. Beginning
with Volume II, No. 1 (August, 1965) Helmer Odé undertook "the editorial
duties on a pro tem basis". One of the things that went with Liz was the
series of informative articles that she had initiated under the title of

"For the Beginners". (Liz has since earned her doctorate in microbiology and
resides in Arizona).

In the early issues of the TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST (JanyFeb. and March, 1965)
there appeared the first listing of members and subscribers: there were
43 names. A comparison of that list with the membership listing for 1978-
1979 shows overlap of 8 names (Barnette, Cardeza, Dexter, Glass, Kister,
Odé, Sutow and Young).

And that's how it all began.
61

HRKKRKKE

My "R & R" was squeezed out of a tight schedule of 10 lectures at various
medical schools and cancer centers in Japan. We left for Okinawa one rainy
day in November, 1978, from Fukuoka City airport (formerly the Itazuke Air
Force Base).

Okinawa is an island prefecture of Japan, situated south of Amami Islands

at the far end of a chain of islands that extends 700 miles southward from
Kyushu to Taiwan. The southernmost isles of Okinawa lie just a few miles
east of the northern end of Taiwan. Okinawa itself is the largest of 60
islands that comprise the prefecture and has an area of 1220 sq km and a
population of slightly more than one million. Military occupation by U.S.
armed forces ended in 1972 and the islands were returned to Japan. Although
regional dialects exist, the official spoken and written language is Japanese.
Okinawans refer to the principal Japanese islands as "mainland". We landed
at Naha, the principal city of Okinawa. This is a reconstructed post-war
international metropolis of 306,000, a tourist center with modern facilities.

Geographically, Okinawa is in the latitudes comparable to the Florida Keys.
The main "kuroshio" (Japan current) flows between Okinawa and Taiwan into
the East China Sea making these islands subtropical in climate, a good en-
vironment for a vast array of Indo-Pacific seashells.

HHKKEER RF

Our hosts were Dr. and Mrs. Nakamine, both native Okinawans with long, estab-
lished family backgrounds. This couple had built a shell museum on their
mountain property overlooking the Pacific Ocean. They had raised the funds
for the impressive building and even for contruction of a road to the museum.
There was adequate space for parking cars - an exceptional luxury that can-
not be enjoyed in most parts of Japan. The only concession to Japanese
tradition was the request that visitors take off their shoes and use slippers
(which are provided) while in the building. The museum is situated just
outside the village of Kushi.

The museum exhibits were divided into four sections occupying three large
rooms. One room contained shells from the Okinawan waters, mostly self-
collected. The second room was filled with world-wide shells. The third
section consisted of rarities (truly breath-taking rare beauties). In the
fourth section were land snails of Okinawa. A fourth room in the back was
used for storage and work area.

There was no fancy background artwork. The identifications were hand-written,
neatly. But the information was succinct and complete, including the scienti-
fic name (Latin), the Japanese name, and the collection data. The Okinawan
section was particularly appealing to me. The number of species displayed
suggested that the molluscan fauna of these islands was well represented.

Most of the well-known professional malacologists in Japan as well as a

host of amateurs have visited the museum and have enjoyed the Nakamine hospi-
tality. The home is close by on the Pacific side of the island. But it is
only a matter of a few kilometers to drive across the west (China Sea) side.
Outer reefs on both sides provide fabulous shelling.

I sensed that here was a museum, conceived and built by ardent shell col-
lectors. Everywhere there was evidence of the care and dedication with

62 a

which every specimen was prepared. For scientific data and for the number
of true conchological rarities, the contents of this museum were equal to
any that I have seen in Japan. The specimens were in superb condition and
each (large or small) was effectively shown in individual transparent cases.

HKRKKKEKEXE

Because of the tide conditions, my active shelling on Okinawa was limited

to the inner reef along a small bay. A wide variety of the common reef

fauna was collected. But here again, there was mute evidence of the conflict
between nature and the activities of man. The reefs near the shore were
coated with a thin layer of reddish silt. Apparently, the arable land on the
foothills and the flats had been cultivated to grow pineapples. Periodically
whole farms were plowed for replanting of the pineapples. Some of the
loosened soil subsequently drained into the bay. The silt coating effective-
ly interfered with growth of algae and thus depleted the number of reef den-
izens. Once abundant, such species as the abalones and the turbos were

now scarce close to shore. The Okinawans said a good typhoon would clean
off the silt from the reefs, and repopulation could occur. (There had been
no recent typhoons).

My visit to Okinawa, however, was spectacularly productive, conchologically
speaking. Mrs. Nakamine saw to that. She provided me with Okinawan goodies
such as Pecten speciosa, Pecten superba and Murex aculeatus. Then she gave
me specimens of the many species of Spondylus from the area. To top things
off, she handed me two live-collected specimens (color variants) of Cypraea
guttata to keep (!!). These two specimens of C. guttata were brought up
recently on different occasions by the fishermen who netted for precious
coral. They dredged some 240 meters below the ocean surface. According to
my information, the shells were incidentally caught in the nets in the South-
east China Seas somewhere between the southern isles of Okinawa and Taiwan.
It seems that a small number of this rare cowry has become available since
1970. The uncertainties of any meaningful "catch" of the precious coral at
any one time and the long time that the ships must remain at sea along with
the seeming dwindling of coral beds appear to be discouraging the fishermen
from continuing in this hazardous occupation.

HRKKXKKEE

I have often read passages that ponder the strange interactions of human
events. The chain of circumstances that culminated in this trip to Okinawa
was almost unbelievable. During the war, Mrs. Nakamine (then unmarried)

was a nurse in the Japanese army. Her tour of duty included the Philippines
and Palau. She did a lot of shell collecting whenever she could. But she
could not bring home any shells with her. She barely survived the war and
immediately pitched in to help transport the sick and wounded Okinawa people
to Japan for medical care. Many crowded into the Kyushu University Medical
School facilities. She was particularly grateful for the tremendous kind-
ness and care provided on numerous occasions by a young pediatrician, Dr.
Kanemitsu. This young pediatrician, a few years later (1948), became the
first Japanese physician to join me in the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission
studies in Japan. We worked together for several years. Dr. Kanemitsu
subsequently started a busy practice in Fukuoka City.

The nurse mentioned above eventually married a physician in Okinawa and soon

resumed her shell collecting activities with great enthusiasm. The Nakamines
had a son who was born with a heart anomaly. They sought medical aid in

63

Fukuoka and were referred to Dr. Kanemitsu. She immediately recognized him
as the young pediatrician who years ago had helped her and the Okinawans.
In the meantime, the Kanemitsus had been contaminated by the Sutows and had
become ardent shell collectors. When Mrs. Nakamine learned of the concho-
logical interests of the Kanemitsus, she immediately began to help with the
Okinawan species. She extended a standing invitation for the Kanemitsus

to visit Okinawa. Because of my medical background in addition to being a
shell collector, we were included in the invitation.

HKKKKEKKE

We departed Okinawa at 11:40 a.m. via All Nippon Airways (A.N.A.). Some-
where above the Amami Islands, lunch was served. This was a typical Japanese
cold box lunch served with hot green tea. Inside were tidbits of individually
prepared Oriental delicacies. They included 3 rice balls, a small piece of
ham, pickled egg-plant, a chunk of salted salmon, seaweed wafers, sour-pickled
plum, a slab of fish cake, crab-meat, a bite of roast beef, bamboo shoots

and canned peach with cherry. We landed in bright sunshine at Fukuoka, one
and a half hours after we took off.

KHHEKKKKKE

ACCORDING TO GUINNESS

The largest starfish in terms of total diameter was a specimen collected

in the Gulf of Mexico in 1968. It measured 54.33 inches from tip to tip
but the diameter of its disc was only 1.02 inches. Its dry weight was only
2.46 ounces. :

CLAIMING CLAMS

A recent news story discussed the development of a method of marking young
oysters and clams so that their cultivators could prove ownership in offering
them for sale after they matured.

The New York Times News Service story said that Ellis T. Bolton, professor

of marine science, and Noel D. Dey, a graduate student, had developed this
process for the University of Delaware in Newark. The young bivalves are
placed in a tank and tetracycline is added to the water. After a day or two,
the water is drained from the tank. Marks on the shells made by the tetra-
cycline are made visible in a vivid yellow-orange color when exposed to ultra-
violet light. Shellfish poaching has been serious, according to Bolton.

SECOND EDITION AMERICAN MALACOLOGISTS PLANNED

Editor-in-chief R. Tucker Abbott has announced that a second edition of
American Malacologist is planned. This book contains biographic facts about
America's leading mollusk workers, shellfishery experts, paleoconchologists
and advanced shell collectors. Biographies of 500 American malacologists
of the past will be included.

Applications for listing were available at recent meetings of HCS. If you
missed getting yours and wish to be included, please contact Constance Boone
for applications. There is no charge for being listed. Members listed in
the first edition have already received new applications from Dr. Abbott.

64

A NON-SHELLING VACATION By Cynthia Biasca

Last May-June, my husband, Frank, and I spent 4 weeks sightseeing in the
British Isles. Our daughter Marie and her husband live in London; Marie

is a shell collector, too. Although this vacation was to be purely for
seeing the country, somehow, along with castles, stately homes, Roman ruins,
and beautiful scenery, we happened upon beaches. And when a shell col-
lector - or two - happens on a beach, you know what follows.

Frank, Marie and I were driving south from Poole, in Dorset, to a car ferry
which would take us across a bay to the southern coast of Dorset. As we
neared the ferry slip that morning, we came to a huge sand flat out of water;
a young man with a pail was gathering something. Almost before Frank could
stop the car, Marie and I were out and dashing onto the sand. The young

man had a pail full of cockles and cheerfully showed us how to use our spoon
in wide sweeps to remove the top half inch of sand, thus exposing the cock-
les, Cerastoderma edule. We quickly collected a bag full, and before we
left, our new friend brought us 3 large Mya arenaria clams.

The next time we happened on a beach was in Ireland, where Frank and I
rented a car. We were driving the scenic southern route from Cork to Kil-
larny when we saw a small cove at the approach to Bantry. Since I was driv-
ing, I just pulled in off the road. In that small cove we found whole
Anomia ephippium attached to seaweed, some pairs of Venerupis decussata and
rhomboides, dead but together, and lovely valves of dark brown Chlamys varia.
The next day we drove the beautiful Ring of Kerry. My guide book indicated
a fine beach only two miles off the main road at a place called Rossbeigh.
We found it easily, a sandy crescent with a rocky area to the left. I hur-
ried to the rocks--they were covered with shells: 3 kinds of Littorina,
white Nucella lapillus, Gibbula umbilicus, and beautiful limpets. Caught
among the rocks and partially buried in sand were numerous broken pieces

of Ensis siliqua. A careful search produced 4 complete pairs, the largest
10 inches long! e

Since we were traveling light, my sole shelling equipment consisted of 2
Ziplock bags and a sewing kit. Unless we cleaned the shells somehow, I could
imagine the aroma after 2 more days in Ireland and 12 in Scotland and England
before we returned to London. But luck was with us. In Wexford, the water
literally came out of the tap as steam in our hotel room. So I filled the
sink and, working with a few shells at a time, soon removed the bodies with

a safety pin. It took a long time and then I had to get up early next morn-
ing to put the opercs in the shells and wrap each one in toilet paper. Three
sea urchins I had found whole, went into cigarette boxes someone had discard-
ed, a perfect protection.

In Scotland, we joined a coach tour and I could only hope we would stop near
a beach at some point. Sure enough, at Thurso, on the extreme north coast,
one of our tour group members came back from an evening walk to say we were
only a few blocks from the North Sea. Well, I was up at dawn next morning
and off to the beach alone. It was quite rocky and I soon found that algae
on the rocks made them terribly slippery. After one spectacular fall, though
no one saw my acrobatics, I noticed a long cement dike leading out through
the rocks. I slipped and slid over to it and was relieved to find it was
free of algae. When I walked almost to the end, I was able to step off care-
fully onto the rocks and collect more large limpets, Littorina, Nucella and
Monodonta lineata.

65

Our schedule had called for only a lunch stop at Dornoch, on the east coast

of Scotland, but a snafu in arrangements made it necessary to spend the after-
noon and night there. Since our hotel was only a short distance from a beauti-
ful beach, this was scarcely a hardship. We explored the town in the after-
noon and beachcombed in the evening; being so far north, it was light enough

to pick up shells until ten o'clock. We found many pairs of Donax vittatus,
some tellins, a few sea biscuits (which did not make it back to London, un-
fortunately), and picked up some color forms of Nucella on some rocks. It

took us until midnight to clean and wrap the shells, again thanks to very hot
water.

After our Scotland tour, we met Marie and her husband in the Lake District
of Cumbria, where we spent 3 gorgeous days. Somehow we managed to visit 2
or 3 beaches during that time. There was a huge sand flat at one place where
we found hundreds of tellins (probably Tellina tenuis) just below the surface
and then at a deeper level of 4 to 5 inches, scores of delicate Scrobicularia
plana, a member of the Telliniacea. In order not to break them, I used the
angel wing approach of coming up under them with my hand. At another beach,
dozens of people were collecting cockles for food; they were popping up here
in great quantities, but we already had enough specimens. At still another
place we found a beach which was a mass Of mussels, almost all Mytilus edulis
it turned out, and some chitons, still unidentified.

In all I found some 16 live species and a dozen more beach ones. For a non-
shelling vacation in a region not noted for a variety of shells on its beaches,
this wasn't bad at all.

A RARE FIND

A recent Associated Press release told of a Kay Creasey of Torquay,
England who was strolling along the beach last October looking for
shells when she spotted an object covered in seaweed.

"I ignored it twice," she said, "then returned a third time to pick
it up. Even then I didn't think much of it. To me it looked like
something a kid had made and painted at school."

The object was a gold Viking bracelet dating from the 10th or early
11th century. City officials decided it belongs to Mrs. Creasey,
and she said the British Museum is interested in buying it.

So shell collectors keep a sharp eye out, you never know when you
may make a "rare" find.

BEATING THE GROCERY STORE PRICES

Paul McGee, long time friend of many of HCS members, has started cultivating
his own land snails for food. At his home he has been raising Helix aspersa
and Otala lactea, both species imported to our area and common as garden
pests. He promises to write a note about the methods he uses and also to
tell us about his recipes. At first he mentioned he might bring us some

of his snails to eat. When he found out we are having up to 75 attend the
meetings he reluctantly declined.

‘SCOPING THE MEMBERS

Gs

iy
Me

WA

By Tina Petway

Collecting sea shells has been a favorite hobby for many years for Max and
Ruth Finer. They have been collecting our local shells for so many years
they don't remember when they began. They have been members of H.C.S. for
about five years now, and have been very active in supporting and working
for the club. Max is currently serving his second term as a member of our
Board of Directors. They are usually to be found on our field trips where
they seem to have good luck and lots of fun. Ruth's favorites are the tiny
and microscopic shells, while Max doesn't have a favorite group or area of
shells because he likes them all. The Finers would also. be interested in
exhanging shells with another collector from some other area who wants to
trade local shells.

In November of this year they will celebrate their 47th wedding anniversary.
They must have been meant for each other all along because of the amazing
similarities in their early lives. They were both born in St. Louis, Miss-
ouri although they didn't meet until years later in Memphis, Tennessee. They
were born on the same day, three years apart and were delivered by the same
doctor.

Max moved to Houston in 1927 and after corresponding from Louisiana for
several years Ruth joined Max here in 1932 and they were married. Max is
a retired druggist. He and Ruth opened the first Drug Store in Bellaire,
Texas those many years ago and they still reside in Bellaire. They have
2 grown sons. Both Ruth and Max share a special interest in flowers and
plants as evidenced by an apartment full of living greenery everywhere.

They also used to pick up rocks from trips they took but had to give them
up when they moved into their apartment as happens to many of us.

Ruth and Max have carefully cleaned, dated and added localities to their

field trip shells. They recently shared a big bag of such shells for use
by the club for auction or educational purposes.

67

For about 6 years now the Baldwins, Margaret and Lisle, have been active
and enthusiastic members of our club. Their interest in shelling began
after a trip to the Baja Peninsula about 7 years ago. On that trip they
picked up about 200 shells from the beaches. These they brought home and
wanted to know more about them. Margaret had met Cynthia Biasca, a member
of H.C.S., who suggested joining the club, which they did.

Since that first trip to Baja, Lisle and Margaret have been back to Baja
again to collect shells as well as having been to Florida 3 times; Culebra
Island, Puerto Rico; and they were among that lucky group of H.C.S. members
who went shelling to the Fiji Islands not too long ago. Now they are plan-
ning an extended trip to Australia for about a year after Lisle retires
soon from Shell Oil Company. Lisle has been with Shell as a chemical engi-
neer and they have been to many parts of the country and to Holland in that
capacity. Margaret is a librarian but has not worked as such since coming
to Houston in 1972. Margaret has done a beautiful job of cataloging our
club's books and periodicals for your use.

Margaret's interest in shells is not surprising since she learned technical
classifications in other areas as a youngster from her missionary father

who was also a professor of Botany and Agriculture. Her childhood till age
18 was spent in China where her father was engaged teaching Botany and Agri-
culture at the University of Nanking. At 18, she returned to the United

States for her college education in California. Here she met Lisle who was
attending the University of California at Berkeley; where he graduated summa -
cum laude incidently.

Since being transferred to Houston by Shell Oil in 1972 Lisle and Margaret
have added shelling to their varied outside interest. Some of Lisle's other
favorite things include camping, hiking, fishing, boating, photography, car-
pentry, hunting and reading. Margaret is very interested in Public Affairs,
is a member of the League of Women Voters, likes to read, play the piano and
she shares with Lisle a love of the outdoors. Both of them enjoy bird watch-
ing and Margaret likes flowers. She learned much about them from her father.
When asked if their 3 sons had any interest in shell collecting the answer
was "no". But who knows; the "bug" can bite one at any time.

The H.C.S. has been fortunate to have Margaret and Lisle as very active mem-
bers. Margaret served as corresponding secretary and field trip chairman.
They have helped give programs and helped with shell exhibits and our club
auctions. We envy them the chance to retire and travel. We will miss them.

HRKKKKEKE

COA TO HELP WITH STOLEN SHELLS

The Conchologists of America, an organization of shellers and dealers that
holds an annual session to discuss shells and shelling, has established a
central clearing agency to assist in the recovery of stolen shells.

COA plans to distribute information on stolen shells so that dealers or in-
dividuals approached to purchase rare shalls may be able to contact COA
committee chairman Sally Jo Gray, 3943 Cornell Way, Eugene, Oregon 94705,
telephone 503 342 2281, to check about such shells offered when there is
suspicious thought about the deal offered you.

A formula for simple measures collectors may take to avoid loss of shells
has been devised. Write Miss Gray if you are interested.

68

MONOGRAPH By H. Odé

DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA IN
THE NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO

(A Continuing Monograph)

Family MYTILIDAE
Genus Crenella continued:
297. Crenella sp. indet. A.

A very much smaller species has been taken in much deeper water.
It is quite regularly oval, but differs from equal sized C.
divaricata in being much narrower and compacter. Only two lots.

Previous records for the Texas faunal Province are: None.

Records H.M.N.S.: 2 lots, none alive.

Depth Range: 450-720 fms.

Geographical Range: Unknown.

Maximum Size: 1.3 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

It is quite regularly oval, but differs from equal sized C.
devaricata in being much narrower and compacter. Only two lots.

Previous records for the Texas faunal Province are: None.

Records H.M.N.S.: 2 lots, none alive.

Depth Range: 450-720 fms.

Geographical Range: Unknown.

Maximum Size: 1.3 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

298. Crenella (?) sp. indet. B.

We have 4 lots of an enormously inflated small Crenellid (?).
There is absolutely no trace of any radial sculpture and at
this moment its classification under Crenella is merely a mat-
ter of avoiding a decision where the species belongs. I would
guess that it belongs to a new to name genus.

Previous records for the Texas faunal Province are: None.

Records H.M.N.S.: 4 lots, none alive.

Depth Range: 25-55 fms., in calcareous environment.

Maximum Size: 1.4 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

Genus Gregariella Monterosata, 1883.
Elongate, with umbonal keel, marginal crenulations, radial striations some-
what subdued in median part near margin, hairy and tangled periostracum.

In the N.W. Gulf of Nexico two different forms, here considered different
species, but which may be only a single species.

69

299.

Gregariella opifex (Say, 1825).

Although at first glance there would seem to be hardly any doubt
that two different species live in the N.W. Gulf of Mexico, closer
study of a sufficient number of lots and inspection of the total
record raises grave doubts about their distinctness. For the time
being I will consider the two forms as specifically different.

As I see it the facts are these: In the N.W. Gulf of Mexico live
two species which differ both in habitat and in shell morphology.
The difference in habitat is very outspoken. The most common
form lives in small populations in abandoned bore holes in oyster
shells, Mercenaria's, etc., mostly offshore, but it has also been
taken (rarely) on the beaches. The other species constructs its
own rocky environment by gluing together sandgrains and lives in
this artificial rock.

The differences in shell morphology are mostly outspoken: (see
sketch).

A @oreld iophaga Be vi PRE

A. 1) Along the inner margins B. 1) Along the inner margin
the crenulations are fine the crenulations are quite
and extremely fine along coarse and thus less in
the ventral margin. Cor- number. Coarse outer rib-
respondingly the outer rib- bing.
bing is finer.

2) The posterior dorsal margin 2) The upper dorsal margin
shows a definite angle. is rounded.

3) The periostracum is rela- 3) The periostracum is heavy
tively light and covers and tangled and often covers’
mostly the umbonal keel more than half the shell
region. surface.

4) The color of living speci- 4) The color of living shell
mens varies from dark yellow is dark brown to almost
to dark greenish brown; the black, and the interior of- -
interior seldom with a slight ten completely stained pur- -
purple dorsal stain. ple.

5) Hardly ever iridescent on 5) Almost always iridescent
the inside. on the inside.

6) Outline somewhat rectangu- 6) Outline more modiolid in
lar. shape.

70

Both species can vary considerably in shape due to environmental
stress. G. coralliophaga occurs in rather small populations.
The valves in each Of which are all Similarly shaped, but vary
from population to population. G. opifex Say is somewhat more
uniform in morphology. er

Abbott (1974) denies the existence of two species of Gregariella
in the Western Atlantic. Before this point of view can be safely
accepted several aspects of the biology of both morphs ought to
be investigated, such as reproduction cycles, time of spawning
and soft anatomy.

There are however some facts which are in favor of Abbott's
interpretation: 1) I am unable to separate juvenile material
into two different species; 2) their total depth ranges are quite
Similar, but on the whole G. opifex lives much shallower than

G. coralliophaga. At the few locations where both species have
been dredged together, there is no difficulty in separating full

grown material.

It should be noted that I have attached quite arbitrarily the
trivial names coralliophaga Gmelin and opifex Say to these species
and have been led mainly by the significance of the "latin".
Further it may be noted that almost all full grown material of
G. coralliophaga Gmelin is indistinguishable from G. coarctata
Carpenter as figured by Keen, 1971, from the Eastern Pacific.
G. opifex Say might be the same as G. chenui | Rechuz (figured by
Keen quite indistinct), but in some features (pearly interior)
it starts approaching G. denticulata Dall, 1871. The latter
lacks the heavy and tangled periostracum and is figured by Keen
as having a thick and hairless periostracum (?). The species
lives close to shore often on Pleistocene rocky ridges (beaches)
from Sabine all along the Texas coast. Presumably also in Louisi-
ana.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: i, 2asted; 110,
found in 20-30 fms. off Port Isabel (Note: may be C. corallio-

phaga Gmelin); 136, off East Texas, occurred in its typical habi-
tat, partially embedded in mounds of cemented sands and mud
which they apparently build; 147, alive from Baker Bank, dead
from Big Southern Bank (note: almost certainly G. coralliophaga
Gmelin); 174, listed, as M. barbata Linne; 206, beach records in
‘Tex. Conchol., Vol. 6, p. 47 (exparte); 269, listed on page 159,
figure probably opifex.

Records H.M.N.S.: 14 lots, of which 10 contain live collected
material.

Depth Range: 0-32 fms., in sandy mud, alive 0-20 fms. Optimum
shallower than 10 fms.

Geographical Range: Not determined.

Maximum Size: # 20 mm. (due to periostracum difficult to measure).

Eastern Pacific Analogue: Same species probably in Panamanic Pro-
vince, but reported as G. chenui Recluz.

‘e

300. Gregariella coralliophaga (Gmelin, 1791).

We have already discussed the points of difference with G. opifex
Say. This species is one of the most widespread and common
mytilids in offshore waters along the Louisiana and Texas coasts.
It lives in many environments but appears to avoid mud bottoms.
Whether it is a boring species is uncertain; probably it lives
merely in abandoned boring holes (Lithophaga). A few times the
species was found in oyster shells on the beach (Matagorda).

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 56, listed; 69
listed in appendix 8; 110, found on coral banks 100 miles off
Galveston; 147, alive on East Flower Garden; 206, beach records
Tex. Conchol. Vol. 6, p 47; 253, on the reef off Padre Island,
uncommon to abundant, buried in a fibrous substance mixed wi th
sand. (Possibly G. opi fex Say?).

Records H.M.N.S.: 59 lots, of which 20 contain a: collected
material.

Depth Range: 0-55 fms.; alive 7-55 fms., but mostly in 20 fms.
range. On coral, algai reefs, miocene shell uplifts and shelly
bottoms.

Geographical Range: N. Carolina, Texas; West Indies, Bermuda,
Brazil. Monterey, Calif., to Peru. (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 19.5 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: Gregariella coarctata (Carpenter, 1857)
"Scammon's Lagoon, Baja California to Ecuador and the Galapagos
Islands in 4 to 6 m. depth" (Keen, 1971).

Genus Musculus Roding, 1798.

Shell clearly divided into 3 parts: anteriorly and posteriorly there are
radial riblets, in between concentric sculpture. The only Texas species
belongs in the subgenus Ryenella Fieming, 1959..

301. Musculus (Ryenella) lateralis (Say, 1822).

A quite widespread small mytilid attached by byssus to shell
fragments, hard objects, etc., mostly on muddy bottomes. The
animals also are nestlers, but usually are not entirely enclosed
in the fibrous mass. Their usual color is olive green with
brown purple spots. Occasionally dark colored shells are col-
lected. The species lives from the Mississippi delta to the
Rio Grande in shallow water offshore.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 159, live
specimens embedded in the tunic of a tunicate washed upon the
beach, Port Aransas, March 1955; 174, listed; 206, beach records
Tex. Conchol., Vol. 6, p. 59; 285, Galveston, 236, Galveston;
269, figured on page 158.

Records H.M.N.S.: 37 lots of which 16 contain live material.

Depth Range: 0-32 fms.; alive 0-30 fms., mostly in muddy environ-
ment.

Geographical Range: North Carolina to Florida, Texas, and the West

Indies, Brazil. (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 11.5 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: Not in the Panamanic Province.

72

Fig. 1 Musculus lateralis (Say, 1822), taken by trynet by Capt. Allen
Kight from 22 fms. off Freeport, Texas, Nov. 22, 1967. Specimen 1.5 mm.
in length.

Genus Lithophaga Roding, 1798.

Truly boring mollusks, of elongate shape. For a discussion see Turner and
Boss. Four species in the N.W. Gulf of Mexico.

302. Lithophaga antillarum (d'Orbigny, 1842).
Lithophaga antillarum d'Orbigny, 1842, Hist. Nat. de l1'Isle de
Cuba Atlas, p. 18, figs. 12-13. ey

Of this very large species only a single broken valve was
dredged in 37 fms. water depth. It is straw yellow, smooth
and shiny and unmistakably this species. Because with it a
fragmental very fresh hinge part, with parts of both valves,
was dredged I surmise that it lives at that location.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 206, Tex.
Conchol., Vol. 9, p. 76, as Lithophaga sp. A.

Records H.M.N.S.: 1 lot of rather juvenile valve and fresh hinge.

Depth Range: 37 fms., on sandy very shelly bottom.

Geographical Range: Southeast Florida and the West Indies, Brazil.
(Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: When completed our valve would measure 1 inch.

Eastern Pacific Analogue:

303. Lithophaga (Lithophaga) nigra (d'Orbigny, 1842).
Lithodomus niger d'Orbigny 1842, Hist. Nat de 1'Isle de
Cdba.. Atlas, pl. 26, figs. 10-11. high
This is a very large biackish colored Lithophaga also without
encrustation, rarely found alive in the coral reefs. Both
this and the previous species are because of their deep holes
in rock probably difficult to collect on the Texas coast, thus
accounting for their relatively rarity. Remarkable is one lot

fe

from Louisiana dredged at 55 fms. These could be fossil shells
living originally much shallower in coral, and now drowned be-=
cause Of the past Pleistocene rise of sea level.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 170, listed
for deep shelf assemblage; 69, listed in appendix 8, and men-
tioned on page 34 (note: probably error for L. bisulcata) ;
180, Alacran reef, pl. 7, figs. 8A-B (Mexico) ~

Reeords H.M8.5.: 3 lots, of which one contains live collected
material (Flower Gardens).

Depth Range: 10-55 fms.; alive at 15. fms.

Geographical Range: Southeast Florida to Brazil, Bermuda (Abbott,
1974).

Maximum Size: 46.5 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: ?7

Fig. 2 Lithophaga nigra (d'Orbigny, 1842), 13 inch specimen, collected
by divers from coral bottom from 65-85 feet at East Flower Gardens, 103
miles SE of Galveston, Texas. Aboard USS Haynsworth dd 700, October 6,

1967.

Photo by Harold Geis

74

304. Li thophage (Myoforceps) aristata (Dillwyn, 1817).
Mytilus aristatus "Solander" Dillwyn, Deser. Cat. Rec.
an. ~t, 303.

This species is characterized by the scissor like crossing
encrustation at the posterior end of the shell. Uncommon in
the N.W. Gulf of Mexico, and only 6 lots have been collected
in our survey.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 147, alive
on West Flower Garden; 195, 107 miles S.E. of Galveston in
10 fathoms (note: these are the Flower Gardens), Port Isabel;
206, Tex. Conchol., Vol. 6, Pp. 59, beach records;
253: rarely taken in rocks on reef off South Padre Island;
269, figured on page 160.

Records H.M.N.S.: 6 lots of which 5 contain live collected
material.

Depth Range: 0-36 fms.; alive 0-15 fms.

Geographical Range: North Carolina to Texas, Florida and the
West Indies. La Jolla,.California to Peru. (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 45 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: ?

305. Lithophaga (Diberus) bisulcata (d'Orbigny, 1842).
Lithodomus- bisulcatus d'Orbigny, 1841, Hist. Nat. de 1'Isle
de Cuba Atlas, pl. 28, figs. 14-16.

By far the most common species along the Texas-Louisiana coast,
sometimes reaching large size (43 mm.). Its encrustation is
often quite 'foamy'" and porous. As plate 62, fig. 1 in Turner's
and Boss' paper show juveniles are pustulose. Remarkable is
the heavy encrustation over a tough, dark periostracum, which
in old shells tends to come off. Shallow water specimens col-
lected from oyster shells tend to have a dark almost black perios-
tracum, and the shells are quite pearly inside. Offshore material
is lighter brown and the periostracum is much less developed. If
this is a trend in mytilids then probably Gregariella opifex and
G. coralliophaga which we discussed as separate species may be
merely ecological variants. The wide dispersal of this mollusk
shows its adaptibility to many environments: muddy bays, inlets,
offshore shrimp grounds, coral reefs and miocene shale uplifts.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 69, listed in
appendix 8; 91, in sandstone and calcareous rock, but not in
granite blocks of the jetties; 110, found boring in oyster shell
in Aransas Bay; 136, alive, boring in slabs of rocks in 70 feet
of water off East Pagaat 147, alive on East Flower Garden; 159,
numerous and large in rocks at Aransas Bay during 1955; 174,
listed; 195, several references for Texas; 206, beach records
eet sone. » Vol. 6, p. 59; 269, figured on page 16037=°

Records H.M.N.S.: 48 itd of which 29 contain live collected
material, afimost always boring in rock or shell and hardly ever
loose in dredgings or drift.

Depth Range: 0-228 fms.; the valve taken at latter location
is probably adventitious, alive: 0-30 fms.

Geographical Range: North Carolina to Texas, Florida and to Brazil,
Bermuda (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 42.6 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: ?

fb

Genus Adula Adams and Adams, 1857.

This genus is since several years known to live in the N.W. Gulf of Mexi-
co, where to my knowledge it was first discovered by Mrs. A. Speers. Dur-
ing our investigation it became clear that the Atlantic species is wide-

spread.

Adula comprises a number of elongate somewhat curved bivalves

with small dysodont teeth.

306.

Adula sp. indet. A.

This undescribed species lives between 0-40 fms. in abandoned
bore holes of teredinids, hence mostly in wood. It has floated
ashore in that manner at Galveston (San Luis Pass, alive, col-
lector Ode), Matagorda, Port Aransas and South Padre Island.
Due to this peculiar mode of life the shape of the valves is
quite variable. In fact they are so different in shape that
one may speculate about two different species, but since they
are almost always found together this seems unlikely. One
form is very elongate and drawn out into a long tapering point
(see sketch); the other is much more inflated, rounder and
blunter. Both forms are covered by a sparse coat of epiller-
mal hairs. It appears most likely to attribute the tapered

Same scale
A B

form to the narrow open space available for growth. The
blunter more inflated form may have developed in wider spaces.

Concerning their relationship with Panamanic species it appears
sure that the Atlantic form is not closely related to any of
the species Keen mentions. "Form" B resembles probably some-
what A. diegensis Dall, 1911 and "Form" A is in shape closer to
A. soleniformis soleniformis d'Orbigny, 1842. The latter how-
ever can be ruled out as close relative because it is a true
rockborer and the Atlantic species definitely is not. In size
the Atlantic species is much smaller than any of the Panamanic
ones. ‘

In dredged submerged wooden logs and other debris, which fin-
ally sank due to replacement of wood by calcareous material
during Teredinid infestation, the species can be found (many
together with Teredothyra in a large log), often in huge num-
bers.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 206, Tex.

Concho] .., Vola: 6, p.<,.59.

Records H.M.N.S.: 16 lots, of which 11 contain live collected

material mostly in wooden logs, seldom loose in dredgings.

Depth Range: 0-40 fms., which is also the live range.
Geographical Range: Unknown.

Maximum Size: 16.8 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: Is not closely related to any Pana-

manic species.

76

SUPERFAMILY PTERIACEA
Family PTERIIDAE

Hinge line straight, interior shiny and valve margin flexible. Attached
by byssus to whipcoral.
Sources: L.G. Hertlein and L.R. Cox in: Treat. Inv. Pal.,
Vol. N, p. 302-306, 1969.

Genus Pteria Scopoli, 1777.
Obliquely elongate bivalves with large wing formed by posterior elongation

of the hinge line.

307. Pteria colymbus (Roding, 1798).
Pinctada colymbus Roding, Mus. Bolten 2, p. 106.

The winged oyster is a fairly common bivalve along the entire
‘coastline of the N.W. Gulf of Mexico where it lives attached by
byssus to whipcoral. There are two color phases, the usual dark
brown or slatey grey one with radial color bands and a uniform
brownish yellow form, which is somewhat uncommon. The length
of the “wing" is variable. Most live collected specimens have
the flatter valve somewhat concave at the outer margin and almost
all specimens possess strong prickly tmbrications along the mar-
gin, which wear off in dead material. In earlier references
reported as Avicula atlantica Lamarck.

The single live collected specimen obtained at 67 fms. depth off
Louisiana may be another species.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 7, listed; 21,
listed; 45, listed for Texas coast; 61, listed for Rockport area
(Nueces Basin); 62, listed for Mustang Island; 69, listed in
appendix 8, figured in text; 110, dead shells rare on St. Joseph,
Mustang and Padre Islands, found living on a buoy off Port Aransas,
pl. 7, figs. 1-2; 123, one live specimen taken in 17 fms. off
Padre Island, and often found attached to the octocoral Eugorgia
virgularia along the jetties at Port Isabel and Port Aransas;
144, reported offshore from locations 536, 537, 539; 147, dead
from Baker Bank; 156, Stetson Bank; 164, dead in inlet influence
and shallow hypersaline in Rockport area; 170, dead shelf assem-

blage off East Texas; 174, listed; 206, beach records Tex. Conchol.,

Vol. II, #5; 251, Yucatan shelf; 253, abundant on yellow seawhip
Leptogorgia virgulata and the red seawhip L. hebes Verrill; 269,
figured on page 162. Pr

Records H.M.N.S.: 25 lots, of which 12 contain live collected
material, many of which - but not all - were collected on seawhip.

Depth Range: 0-67 fms.; alive 0-67 fms. If the specimen collected
at 67 fms. proves to be different the ranges are 0-55 fms., and
alive: 0-40 fms.

Geographical Range: North Carolina to Florida, Texas and the West
Indies and to Brazil, Bermuda. (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 98 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: ?

Genus Pinctada Roding, 1798.
Less oblique and more rounded than Pteria and hardly any wing.

308. Pinctada imbricata Roding, 1798.
Only 2 lots of this smaller pteriid are in the H.M.N.S. collection.

at

They consist of fresh but dead shells taken from beachdrift on

St. Joseph and Padre Islands. In size they are far below the

mature size of this species. Other collectors have collected

larger and live material on South Texas beaches, but so far no

live material has been obtained by dredging off Louisiana and

Texas. Usually reported as Pinctada radiata Leach, 1814 or

Margaritiphora radiata Leach. !
Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 19, plentiful,

attached to floating seaweed in Pass Caballo; 45, repeats reference

19; 110, Occasionally found on Mustang and Padre Islands, pl. 7,

figs. 3-4; 174, listed; 192, pl. 6, figs. 6A-B; 206, beach records

Tex. Conchol., Vol. II, #5; 269, figured on page 162.
Records H.M.N.S.: 2 lots, no live material, from beach, probably

floated in on seaweed.
Depth Range: Unknown.
Geographical Range: South Carolina to Florida, Texas and the West .

Indies to Brazil, Bermuda. (Abbott, 1974).
Maximum Size: Reaches up to 3 inches, but our material well below

20 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: ? |

Family ISOGNOMONIDAE

Pteriids with small anterior umbonal wing and multiple ligamental grooves.
Sources: L.R. Cox in Treat. Invert. Pal), Vobu Mea, 322, eee

Genus Isognomon Lightfoot, 1786.
Characters as above. Shape rounded or elongate. In the N.W. Gulf of Mexico

3 species which are easily differentiated.

309. Isognomon alatus (Gmelin, 1791).
Ostrea alata Gmelin, Syst. Nat., p. 339.
The flattest and thinnest of the 3 western Atlantic species and
the rarest on the Texas coast. Only a single lot of live specimens
from the rocks at the Coast Guard Station of South Padre Island is :
in the H.M.N.S. collection. It also live at Port Aransas, but is ,
rarer. In offshore waters it is missing. According to Abbott |
(1974) it reaches up to 3 inches, but the largest Texas material
is about 2 inches. In shape it is fairly rounded, but its most
distinctive character consists in the flattened ."spines" of the
growth incrementals on the shell surface (see sketch). These spines —
line up in a radial pattern. Even quite
immature specimens of several mm. size show
such "spines", which are often somewhat
lighter in color than the brown background |
| of the main area of the disc.
Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 159, rocks along
jetty at Port Aransas, 1955; 174, listed; 192, plate 9, figs.
11A-B; 206, Tex. Conchol., Vol. 2 (5), 1965; 269, figured on page
163.
Records H.M.N.S.: 1 lot of live collected specimens at South Padre
Island.
Depth Range: O-1 fms. (tidal zone).
Geographical Range: Bermuda, Florida, West Indies, Brazil (Abbott,
1974).
Maximum Size: 49.2 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

78

310.

Vite

Isognomon bicolor (C.B. Adams, 1845).

een ammeter ti ne

This is the common coastal species of the genus along the Texas-
Louisiana coast. Although no live material is known from Galves-
ton, dead valves are occasionally picked from beachdrift at Free-
port, (San Luis Pass), Matagorda and live in profusion locally at
Port Aransas and South Padre Island. Not known from offshore
water. In shape it is far more irregular and more lamellose than
iI. alatus and it misses the flattened spines of the latter. In
many. specimens - but not all - the pallial line forms a raised
ledge so that the central (umbonal) part of the shell cavity
appears to form a cup. On the inside this part is often colored
somewhat differently so that the entire shell gives the impression
to be formed of two differently shaded areas, whence the name.
Overall color is brown, but is sometimes stained by purple streaks.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 7 (as Perna
obliqua Lamarck), listed; 45, (as Melina obliqua Lamarck), "Texas";
192, plate 9, figs. 10A-B; 206, Tex. Conchol., Vol. 2 (5), 1965;
269, figured on page 163.

Records H.M.N.S.: 10 lots of which 4 contain live collected material.

Depth Range: O-2 fms. on rocks.

Geographical Range: Florida Keys, Texas, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
(Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 33 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: Isognomon recognitus (Mabille, 1895)
This may be the same as I. bicolor. "Baja California to Chile"
(Keen, 1971).

Isognomon radiatus (Anton, 1839).
Perna radiata Anton, Verreichn. d. Conchelien, p. 17.

On the Texas-Louisiana coast this is the largest Isognomon species
which lives in offshore waters in calcareous environment, where it
is widespread, and the Miocene shale uplifts. Its color is mostly
white but often it has a number of purple radial streaks. In this
species the vertical ligamental grooves are widest apart. Large
specimens can become thick shelled and mostly are elongate in
shape. Juveniles especially can be very elongate and irregular in
shape. Previous records of this species (Pedalion listeri Hanley,
1846) for the Rockport jetty and Port Isabel have not been confirm-
ed by collecting over the last 15 years. However, 2 small live
pairs were collected from beachdrift on Mustang Island so that it
is likely that the species may live on the jetties.

Remarkable is the pitted sculpture on juvenile specimens, a sculp-
ture not seen in the two other species.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 110 (as Pedalion
listeri Hanley, 1846), Rockport jetty, Port Isabel; 174, listed;
253, rare on reef offshore Padre Island.

Records H.M.N.S.: 11 lots, of which 8 contain live collected material.

Depth Range: 0-55 fms.; alive 0-31 fms.

Geographical Range: Bermuda, Florida, West Indies, Brazil.

Maximum Size: 72 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: ?

79

Family MALLEIDAE

Hinge line with a central ligamental pit.

Genus Malleus Lamarck, 1799.

The only western Atlantic species is elongate with rather short hingeline
and reduced auricles. After an initial development of clear pteriid shape
the valves grow to quite elongate size in an oblique direction.

312. Malleus (Malvufundus) candeanus (d'Obigny, 1847).
This interesting species only lives at a few localities in the
N.W. Gulf of Mexico, the Flower Garden complex and Stetson Bank.
Highly irregular in shape each valve can be considered to exist
of two parts, the umbonal "cup" with the auricles and the elongate
elongation beyond the cup. Characteristic is the internal ledge
running along this elongation beyond the cup. It is also clearly
reflected in the outside, rather lamellose sculpture, which is most
pronounced on the early stages of the shell.

The color is dark purple to brownish with yellowish areas, but
Texas specimens are mostly quite dark and elongate. Our largest
unbroken specimen, live collected, reaches 48 mm., but a broken
specimen indicates sizes up to at least 23 inches. This broken
specimen has a huge posterior auricle.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 206, Tex. Conchol.,
Vol. 5, page 25, 1968.

Records H.M.N.S.: 6 lots of which 5 contain live collected material.

Depth Range: 10-16 fms.; alive 10-16 fms.

Geographical Range: South Florida, Bermuda, West Indies (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 48 mm., but reaching up to 2h inches.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: Malleus (Malvufundus) rufipunctatus (Reeve,
1858) is considered by many identical with M. candeanus (d'Obigny).
"Mazatlan, Mexico to Panama, attached to other shells such as Ostrea,
or commensal with sponges" (Keen, 1971).

To be continued

SUBSCRIPTION RATE ESTABLISHED BY HCS

The new By-Laws adopted this year provide for a subscription rate to Texas
Conchologist. Members have established this rate as $6.00 a year for the
quarterly, published now in October, January, April and July. The new fis-
cal year begins June 1. The first quarterly due to new subscribers the next
fiscal year will be the October, 1979, issue. The July issue is part of the
present fiscal year.

The subscription rate has been set to apply to institutions, museums,
corporations and even individuals wishing only to be mailed the quarterly.
Full members receive the monthly newsletters on meetings, minutes, notices.
Postage rates continue to rise, and we feel that some individuals will wish
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Members everywhere will still receive all mail. Rates remain the same as
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Postage for mailing subscriptions outside U.S. postal zones has been estab-
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80

HOUSTON CONCHOLOGY SOCIETY, INC.
Officers 1978-79

Frank petway

an Vice-President ; Charles A: Dok
‘Trip Vice-President Maryann Curtis
on Joanne Hoard

1g Secretary Jim Sartor

ond ing Secretary : Lucy Clampit

oon

Directors
Helmer Odé = =~—_—svWFrank Van Morkhoven
Margie Woods Ruth Goodson
r, Texas Conchologist Constance E. Boone
| Past President i ! Wilson B. Ward

Honorary Life Members

Dr. Helmer Odé

.

Me

-

as wer |S Co Sh Allg | «
i a a a_i ae aia ee

QL 7

CONCHOLOGIS

VOLUME XV NO. 4

CALIFORNIA |
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES |}

SEP 1 1 1979 |
LIBRARY JULY, 1979

The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST is the official publication of the Houston Conchol-
ogy Society, Inc., and is published quarterly at Houston, Texas. It is
distributed as part of the dues to all members.

The Society holds regular meetings the fourth Wednesdays of the follow-
ing months: August, September, October, January, February, March, April
and May. The meeting is held the third Wednesday in November. Meetings
are held at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Caroline Street in
Hermann Park, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST is published October, January, April and July.

It is mailed postpaid to regular members in U.S. postal zones. Overseas
members will be charged additional postage. Only one copy will be mailed
a family membership.

Dues extend from the beginning of the fiscal year of June 1 through May
31. However, the July issue of the TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST each year is the
fourth quarterly due on the regular dues year beginning June 1 of the
previous year. Memberships will be accepted throughout the year but will
receive the quarterlies of that fiscal year. Members receive meeting
Newsletters and have all other privileges provided by the Society's by-
laws.

RATES AND DUES

Family membership $6.00
Single membership $5.00
Student membership $2.00
Single Issues $1.50
Extra sets mailed members $5.00
(Postage for overseas members required)
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(Seamail $2.00, Airmail outside U.S., $3.00)

EDITOR CIRCULATION

Constance E. Boone Mr. and Mrs. Sam Miron
668-8252 723-3628

3706 Rice Boulevard 5238 Sanford Street
Houston, Texas 77005 i Houston, Texas 77035

EDITORIAL STAFF

Helmer Odێ . W. W. Sutow Herschel S. Sands
664-9942 748-7233 772-6613

4811 Braeburn Drive 4371 N. MacGregor Way 8902 Cadawac Road
Bellaire, Texas 77401 Houston, Texas 77004 Houston, Texas 77074

The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST accepts contributions for publication from ama-
teurs, students, and professionals, subject to approval by the Editor.
Manuscripts should be typed, double spaced and should be in the hands of
the Editor the first day of the month preceding publication dates.
Photos accompanying such material are welcomed.

DONAX NOMENCLATURE T.E. Pulley

Donax variabilis Say, 1822 is the correct name for the common coquina of the
Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The International Commission on Zoological Nomen-
clature has voted to suppress the earlier name, Donax variabilis Schumacher,
1817, which was for another species.

Under its plenary powers, the Commission voted to conserve the familiar name
of Donax variabilis Say, 1822, and the decision was published in the Bulletin
of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature on 26 June, 1976.

(Ed. Note: See "The Species of Donax on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of North
America," by T.E. Pulley, Texas Conchologist, Vol. XV, No. 2, January, 1979,
pages 26-34.)

HKKKKKKE

MORE ON SINISTRAL BUSYCONS

Our member Mrs. C.W. Hanks shares some more information on sinistral Busycons
she has received from Robert J.L. Wagner, senior editor of Wagner and Abbott's
Standard Catalog of Shells.

Since the publication of her collection of a left-handed Busycon spiratum plago-
sum (Conrad, 1863) at Port O'Connor, Texas, in August, 1976 (reported with
photos in Texas Conchologist, Vol. XIIl, No. 2, Dec.,, 1976), Mrs..Hanks has
heard from several collectors seeking to purchase the shell. She has sought to
find out more about the rarity of her shell.

Bob Wagner wrote that his only study concerning sinistral whelks was one that
ne made many years ago when he was interested in ascertaining whether or not
there could be any sinistral Busycon canaliculatum.

He informed Mrs. Hanks that he knew of no sinistral B. plagosum except the one
she has.

Mr. Wagner studied egg cases of B. canaliculatum. He found that the results
showed that each string of capsules averaged about 78 capsules per string.

There were well over 2,000 (actually 2,168) baby shells in these capsules.

The greatest number in any one capsule was 43 and the least was 19. The average
number of young per capsule was 29. Out of the thousands, there averaged about
6 sinistral shells per string. There was no 'lefty' in the first 56 capsules--
all sinistrals were lodged in the last 20 capsules.

He went on to say that the mortality rate of the young is tremendous and that
the odds of getting one of the six out of the over 2,000 to reach maturity is
astronomical.

He suggested that a similar study of the capsules of B. plagosum might prove
to be very revealing.

HKKKKKKX

OFFICERS, DIRECTORS FOR NEXT YEAR ANNOUNCED
The results of the election were announced at the May meeting. New Officers

and Directors of the Houston Conchology Society, Inc., are listed for 1979-
1980 on the inside cover:of this issue of the quarterly.

81

SEARCH AND SEIZURE

This column serves to alert you to changes in nomenclature and the reasons
for such changes as well ds reporting collecting news.

Having recently reviewed the synonomy of Epitonium angulatum, adopted as our
club's logo, the recent report in The Veliger (Vol. 21, No. 3, Jan. 1, 1979)
on Epitoniums caught my eye. Helen DuShane established a new name for a pre-
viously misidentified species of Epitonium. The opening paragraph explained
that Epitonium barbarinum Dall, 1919, had been long considered a species com-
mon intertidally along the northern shores of the Gulf of California, Mexico,
but that this species was in need of a new name since she had determined that.
Dall's holotype of E. barbarinum (USNM 46229), type locality San Diego, Cali-
fornia, is a specimen of Epitonium angulatum (Say, 1830) from the Atlantic and
Gulf of Mexico. She has named the Gulf of California species Epitonium (Niti-
discala) arcanum.

A table sets out comparison of the characters of the new species with E. tinc-
tum and E. angulatum.

I was left with questions in my mind about this turn of events involving E.
angulatum. How was this determined?

Helen DuShane has been kind enough to write some answers to my questions asking |
now she decided the type of E. barbarinum was E. angulatum.

"The holotype of Epitonium (Nitodoscala) (sic) barbarinum Dall, 1919 (USNM
46229) from the Stearns collection, a not too reliable source, type locality,
San Diego, California, is a specimen of Epitonium angulatum (Say, 1830), with
a range on the Atlantic seaboard and in the Gulf of Mexico, from Long Island,
New York south to Florida (excluding the Florida Keyes) and west to Texas.
Dall (1921:116) gave the range for E. barbarinum from San Diego to Panama.
Moreover, Dall's original measurements (length 19 mm; width 6.5 mm) are in
error. The type of E. Barbarinum has been measured several times by Joseph
Rosewater and DuShane; length 13.9 mm; width 6 mm, within the size range’ for
E. angulatum. Thus E. barbarinum, as a name is eliminated from the Eastern
Pacific fauna, and was renamed as a previously misidentified species from the
upper Gulf of California, Mexico above 30° (DuShane, 1979:379)."

She further stated that she has discarded "barbarinum" as a specific name be-
cause Dall was in error in everything regarding the shell as a species. No
specimens of the species Dall described have been taken from the San Diego
or Panamic province.

The type of E. barbarinum still is in place at USNM and my final question

is the one I have posed to professionals concerning whether E. barbarinum

then becomes a synonym of E. angulatum. That is the understanding I have of
this at this time. I started this because of my interest in studying E. angu-
latum and other Epitoniums in our area. I'm not positive I know what happens
when it is determined that the type deposited in a museum is not the same shell
as described and is determined to be another species.

KHKKKKKKE

Earlier issues of Texas Conchologist carried the progressive story of the

82

discovery of a small gastropod in Galveston Bay and the first determination
that this was J.P.E. Morrison's Odostomia barretti (Proc. Biol. Soc. of Wash.,
1965, No. 78, 220). Later after examinations of live animals collected in
1968, Dr. Morrison placed the animals in the genus Hydrobia and also changed
the specific name to H. booneae because he said he had been informed that his
O. barretti was preoccupied. TC has reported all this to you and needs now
to bring explanation to you of the latest change concerning this species.

ee

Helmer Ode had told me several years ago after the change to Hydrobia booneae
that the two spellings of barretti and barreti for the two Odostomias should

have meant that it was unnecessary to change the specific name of Morrison's

shell and that the two "barret-ts" were different people!

It has been hanging incompletely answered in my mind.

The author of the material in Andrews’ book concerning this species was Dr.
Dwight W. Taylor of Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies. He has been kind
enough to answer my questions for the return to the first Morrison specific
name in changing the genus and family for the little gastropod we find near

the Houston Yacht Club in Galveston Bay. He states that the explanation of

the name change was in the text submitted to Jean Andrews but that it was de-
leted in the final revision of the book, probably in the interest of saving
space. However, since this was the only place this new information has appeared,
I am happy to report the explanation. Dr. Taylor's opinion was that the first
Odostomia barretti Morrison, 1965, was not preoccupied by the earlier Odostomia
barreti because the names are of different spelling and derivation. (As Helmer
and I have suspected was the reason. )

The little brackish water mollusk has become Texadina barretti (Morrison, 1965)
placed in the Family Littorininidae, as stated in the Andrews’ book, after
studies of the animals by Dr. Taylor.

Odostomia barreti was a fossil described by L. Morlet in the Journal de Conchyl,
33: 314, 1885. Odostomia barretti was the small snail found in Louisiana and
described by Dr. Morrison and named for Ronny Barrett in 1965. It is now found
in Texas and is Texadina barretti.

REKKKKKE

ee ooo, oo

Not by any means a cone "expert", I simply remark to you some of the name
changes concerning some of the familiar Gulf of Mexico cones, if you accept the
material as presented in this book.

Conus austini Rehder and Abbott, 1951, is listed as a subspecies and becomes
C. atractus austini. True Conus atractus atractus occurs off Brazil.

Conus clarki Rehder and Abbott, 1951, becomes a synonym of Conus armiger Crosse,
1858. C. clarki is not recognized as a subspecies in this edition although

the author states that C. armiger is poorly known, although often not uncommon,
and the southern populations are especially not understood.

Changes in names of cones have been common in the literature as it is deter-

83

mined that earlier descriptions are the cones described later. We have seen
already that Conus juliae is now a synonym of the accepted name Conus amphi-
urgus and Conus sozoni is now C. delessertii. You will note that Abbott

solved that in his second edition of American Seashells by making popular
names of the names we had used for so long for these last two species of
cones, so we can call them Julia's cone and Zozon's cone.

PLEASE NOTE SUBSCRIPTION RATE ESTABLISHED

A subscription rate of $6.00 has been added to the masthead information. This
has been established to provide a fee for institutions, museums, corporations,
etc., wishing to receive the quarterly only. It may also be used by residents
outside U.S. postal zones who want to receive the quarterly and who do not wish
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these subscribers.

40 Ok Mb 3 OF Ot HF

REMEMBER THE AMU-WSM MEETING IN CORPUS CHRISTI

You still have time to register and attend the meeting August 5-11, 1979, at
Corpus Christi, Texas, of the American Malacological Union, hosting also the
members of the Western Society of Malacologists. You may register at the door
(La Quinta Royale Hotel on Water Street) starting on August 6th.

Special events of interest to our members are the Symposium on the Gulf of
Mexico, chaired by Dr. T.E. Pulley, and Shell Night, chaired by Constance
Boone. The symposium is slated for Wednesday afternoon at the hotel. Partici-
pating on this program will be Dr. Helmer Od€ talking on the Northwest Gulf _
Mollusk Survey. Our member Dr. W.W. Sutow will talk on finding Strombus taurus
in the Pacific, and our members Audrey and Wayne Holiman will talk on finding
shells on Baja on the Shell Night program Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Corpus
Christi Museum auditorium.

REE KK

DONATION TO THE HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE

Houston Conchology Society members voted at the May meeting to give $500.00
this year again to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The club is very
appreciative of the services provided for our members. We house our library
on shelves on the first floor at the information office, and we meet at least
nine times a year in the classrooms or auditorium at no cost to the society.

4 HH a HE HE EH
AMAEA MITCHELLI IN THE NEWS AGAIN

Most of you saw the TV coverage and news stories in local papers concerning
the new restaurant, The Wentletrap, established by Cynthia and George Mitchell
in the historic T. Jeff League Building on the corner of Strand and Tremont on
"The Strand" in Galveston, Texas. Built around a three-story atrium, the
restaurant got its name from Amaea mitchelli seen in a shell book and labelled
a rare Texas shell. The name coincidence hit the spot with the Mitchells.

84

SUMMER LIBRARY ANNOUNCEMENT

Because of the display of Peruvian gold artifacts at the Houston Museum of
Natural Science this summer, our general library, housed at the Museum's
Information Office, is closed until after September 3.

Some of the new books that have arrived and some of the most-sought books from
the library will be kept at the home of Library Chairman Cynthia Biasca until
we can use the general library again. Please call Cynthia to arrange to get
any of the books listed below.
Australian Shells
Joyce Allan

Sea Shells of the West Indies

Michael Humfrey

Sea Shells of Tropical West America

eee

A. Myra Keen

Shells and Shores of Texas

Jean Andrews

Sea Shells of North America (A Guide to Field Identification)

R. Tucker Abbott

Caribbean Seashells
Warmke and Abbott

Seana neneenedilieennnemnenee="teemeeneienemmeemenmemenennermneniemeanmeetitiitemmme nee eee: cnet axe eee ee

S. Peter Dance

The Coral Seas
Andrew C. Campbell

1001 Questions Answered About the Seashore

N. J. Berrill

Cone Shells
Jerry G. Walls

Exploring for Sea Shells on Martha's Vineyard

ee ee

Richard J. Heuer, Jr.

The Sea Shells of Dar es Salaam - Part II Pelecypoda (Bivalves)

Shell Craft
Virginie Fowler Elbert

Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico-British Honduras-Guatemala and Islands)
Cliff Cross

Wonders of Sponges
Morris K. Jacobson

SS eee >

John B. Burch

85

SHELL AUCTION

The 1979 shell auction for the Houston Conchology Society was the most profitable
ever held. The club made $1905.19, less $200.00 for expenses, for a net profit
of $1705.19. I hope next year's auction will be even more profitable for the
elu0.,

A successful auction takes a great deal of effort to collect, label, package
and price the many, many shells. A very special thanks goes to all who gave

so generously of their time and shells, and above all, to my wife, Lucille, who
really deserves all the credit for the organization and preparation for the
auction.

The Gulf of Mexico table was a big success thanks to the hard work of Connie

Boone. Many interesting shells were made available at very low prices, All .
members and collectors should know the shells in their own backyard, including
the auction chairman. Thank you, Connie, for such a splendid job on the table.

Thanks go to Barbara Hudson for cleaning and packaging the large box of Phillip-
pine mix, as many hours of hard work were devoted to this task. You dida
beautiful job.

Without Cynthia Biasca, my job as auctioneer would have been harder than it
was. Special "thanks", Cynthia, for your help, support, and the excellent
ideas you contributed to the auction.

Lloyd Meister, Frank Petway, Jim Sartor, Jerry Clampit, and Herschel Sands
should open their own bank. They did a super job of collecting money and
speeding up your check-out process and departure. Thank you all for your help.

The fifty gift boxes were a real success, as they were gone within minutes.
Thanks for the packaging and wrapping go to Lucy Clampit and Maria Carpenter
for their time and work in preparing these boxes. Due to popular demand, I
hope to double the number of gift boxes available for next year's auction.

A very "Special Thanks" go to the following club members for their generous dona-
tion of shells and shell-related items: Betty and Larry Allen, Lisle and
Margaret Baldwin, Cynthia Biasca, Lynn Blair, Connie Boone, Admiral and Mrs.
Carlos M. Cardeza, Maria Carpenter, Jerry and Lucy Clampit, Jim and Sandra
Clark, Eugene and Carol Courtade, Charles and Helen Doh, Max and Ruth Finer,
nuth Finer and Frank Van Morkhoven, Robert and Betty Genusa, Leola Glass, Ruth
Goodson, Rosemary Habermacher, Bill and Joanne Hoard, Wayne and Audrey Holiman,
James and Barbara Hudson, Merle Kleb, Ruby McConnell, Lloyd Meister, Sam and
Fanny Miron, Laura Montgomery, Gale Orem, Frank and Tina Petway, Herschel and
Kaye Sands, Jim Sartor, Linda and Richard Serrill, Wataru and Mary Sutow,
Marguerite Thomas, Wilson Ward, and Margie and Wilbur Woods. Thank you all.

To two loyal friends of the Houston Conchology Society, Mildred Tate and Thelma
Crow, a sincere thank you for your support, donations, and friendships.

Gale Orem and her refreshment committee went out of their way to provide all
types of "goodies" for the members. Thank you so much. All the refreshments
were great. In fact, it was one of the most popular tables of the evening.

Without the large response of dealer donations, our auction would not have
been near as profitable and fun. A "Super Thanks" to the following dealers who
so generously contributed to the 1979 auction: Kirk Ander's Shells of the Seas,

86

Inc.; The Beachcomer, Fish City; A Gift for All Seasons; Green's; Ed Hanley's
Coral and Shells; Jim's Shell Shop; Richard M. Kurz, Inc., Specimen Shells;
Elsie Malone Specimen Shells; The Morrison's Galleries, Inc.; Of Sea and Shore;
One Foot in the Sea; Sea Atlanta; Sea Castles; Sea Shell Sales; Sea Shell
Shoppe; Seashell Treasures; The Shell Cabinet; Shells and Accessories; Shop of
the Seven Seas; Bob and Fdy Stewart; and Tradewinds Wholesale Sea Shells.

Thank you all so very much. Show them how much you appreciate their generosity
by giving them your business, and when you contact them be sure to mention the
Houston Conchology Society and the annual auction.

Several donations of shell-related items and auction supplies were presented

to the club. These dealers and firms included: Adam's World of Hobbies;
Arrangements by Betsy; MacIntosh Bookshop; McDonald's Corporation; Musabelle's
Books; Randall's Supermarkets; Turrentine's (Needlepoint); and the Shell Cabinet.
Many thanks to all.

As auction chairman and assistant auctioneer, I would like to express my personal
appreciation to all the members of the Houston Conchology Society for their
attendance and participation in this year's auction. It presented me the
opportunity to meet many dealers around the country and more important, the
opportunity to meet and develop friendships with other club members. Lucille and
I really enjoyed putting together this event.

Plans are already under way for the 1980 shell auction and your early ideas are
needed. When shelling this summer on your trips, bring extra shells home for
donations to next year's auction. Let's make 1980 even bigger and better than
1979. Thank you ALL........Best of wishes for the summer months and HAPPY
SHELLING.

Dave Green
1979 Auction Chairman

HKRKKKKEE

‘PERU'S GOLDEN TREASURES HAS SHELLS

‘The fascinating display of gold artifacts from five pre-Columbian civilizations,
called Peru's Golden Treasures, includes the beautiful gold spindle (Fusinus)
‘shell and contains several necklaces, masks and other artifacts that have

‘shell inlays or worked pieces of shells with jewels and metals. It will be
interesting to shell collectors.

The special event is being held at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
‘through September 3. It is open daily, including weekends, from 10 to 5 p.m.
‘Tickets are $2.00 at the door.

87

‘SCOPING THE MEMBERS

BY MERLE KLEB

Frank Petway was hardly recognizable in
his’ duck hunting garb plus about four days |
growth of beard. He had just returned fror
hunting with friends and they all sat on
benches in front of Caney Creek Store re-
hashing their hunt. Tina Kleb and her
friends came in from a fishing trip up the
creek. Though it was a cold and windy
Thanksgiving weekend in 1970, Tina wore
"cut-offs" and was barefoot, but clad in

a warm coat and heavy wool cap. The per-
fect time for a couple to meet--looking
their absolute worst. Deana Mock, whose
parents owned Caney Creek Store at that
time, introduced Tina to Frank. Tina had
been fishing with Deana and Frank had been |
hunting with Cris, Deana's brother.

Tina and Frank Petway

Someone suggested that they go to the beach for a weiner roast. It was cold
and windy and getting dark but that was no problem. There was plenty of drift-)
wood on Sargent Beach to build a fire for warmth, roast weiners, and provide —
light, and the rest of the needed supplies were handy in the store. All agreec
and so began the Petway-Kleb relationship.

Tina became interested in shells in 1964 when we, as a family, would be invitec)
to go to Caney Creek for a weekend with my sister, Laura Montgomery (a fellow
shell club member), and her husband. They had a weekend place there and they
went down every Friday evening after work. We were invited often and eagerly
accepted. Soon we found our way to Sargent Beach across the intracoastal canal)
We parked the car and if we walked to the west it was toward Brown Cedar Cut.
To the east was the San Bernard River about ten miles away. Either way on {
foot didn't get us very far but we soon discovered pretty shells, lovely colors
and interesting shapes. We began to wonder what they were called.

One weekend when we arrived at Laura's she told us she had bought a paperback

88

book about shells. It was Abbott's "Sea Shells of the World" and it really
whetted our appetite for shells. We recognized some of the shells in the

book as some that we had collected such as olives, whelks, sun dials, augers,
rock shells, moon snails, bonnets, tulips and even wentletraps (Amaea mitchelli).
It took several years for us to learn the correct scientific names for our
shells. Some of us STILL can't remember them. The shell book also told about
such things as RARE shells. Friends told us there were SHELL SHOPS in Rockport,
Texas, so off we went one Saturday. What a discovery! And now we were truly
"hooked". We even BOUGHT shells!

After a couple of years Laura and Chuck decided to move to Caney Creek permanent-
ly. Chuck knew how we enjoyed the trips to the beach so when he was offered the
opportunity to buy a much-used but still usable ex-Army jeep, he grabbed it.
Laura could drive this four wheel drive vehicle and the four of us, Laura (Tina's
aunt), Vicki (Tina's sister), Tina and me (Tina's mother), piled into the Jeep
and took off for Sargent Beach. We called ourselves The Rat Patrol and would
whoop and “holler" all the way to the San Bernard River or to Brown Cedar Cut.
NOW we could get to either destination in that Jeep, stopping here and there
along the way when we saw something interesting. We collected bucketsful. We
decided that perhaps we were among some of the first people to shell these areas
Since Hurricane Carla had thrust many shells onto this beach. The beach shells
were abundant and in fairly good condition. We still hadn't learned about LIVE
collecting. We did find live Thais haemastoma but we left them because they had
animals in then.

Once Tina said that if and when she got married, the man she married would have
to like Caney Creek and shell collecting. Well, Frank loved Caney Creek and
spent a great deal of time there as his parents had owned a weekend house there
for many years. Frank's father was a doctor and loved to go there for a few
days relaxation. But for Frank, collecting shells was an idea that had to grow
on him. Tina told him about her hobby and that it was the hobby of several:of
her relatives. It was a dumb hobby, he thought. Why spend good money on some-
thing you couldn't use?

Well, one weekend we were going to Rockport again and we invited Frank to go
along. He began to show a little interest seeing some of the beauties in the
shell shop.

There was a tropical fish shop in Town and Country Village that used to have a
few shells for sale. Tina had seen a slit shell there that she was interested
in buying. Frank couldn't believe the price so he went along out of curiosity.
The slit shell had been reduced in price, as the shop was no longer going to
sell shells, so Tina bought it. Also marked down was a lovely Voluta ebraea
and that became Frank's first shell and resulted in his decision to specialize
in collecting the Family Volutidae. By this time Frank's sister, Rosemary
Habermacher (also a fellow shell club member), had become interested in the
SHELL GAME and Rosemary loved Cypraea and Pectens. Tina had chosen Cones,
Laura - Strombus, and I had settled on Murex long ago. Frank had also heard
that the Volute Family was called the aristocrat of shells - very nice but also

very expensive, as Frank was soon to learn.

On June 25, 1971, Tina Kleb became Mrs. Frank Petway. That was also Tina's
parents' 27th wedding anniversary so it was quite a celebration. Now where
would you guess Tina and Frank would go for their honeymoon? Caney Creek, of
course, to Frank's folks' place. But just for a few days at that time. Frank's
mother, Rosie Petway, had told the couple that she would pay for their honey-

89

moon as her wedding gift to them. Where did they want to go? Frank said, "Let's
all go to Guaymas, Mexico." The Petway family had been there several times
before and Frank thought it would be fun and shelling was good there, or so he
had heard.

The rest of us said no way would we go along on their honeymoon. Then they

came up with an idea. If they waited a couple of months after they were married,
would we all go THEN? So on August 25, 1971, Merle and Mel Kleb, Kosie Petway,
and Laura Montgomery left by car (Rosie's) for Tucson, Arizona. Ting and Frank
were flying over to Tucson to meet us in two days. Basin Tucson, the six of us,
plus luggage, drove south to Guaymas, Mexico.

We arrived in Guaymas about 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 28th. We shelled, shopped, |
fished and went sightseeing till the following Saturday, September 4, 1971. We
drove back to Tucson with every available space in that car packed with shells.
We dreaded arriving at the border for fear of having to unload all of those
stinking shells. But when we got to the border _they asked us what we were bring-
ing back and we told them shells. They got a good whiff and told us to go on.
Didn't even OPEN the trunk. What a relief!

In April of 1972 Tina and Frank went to the Solomon Islands with the Ernests li
of San Antonio, Texas. It was a two-week trip with a stop over in Honolulu, }
Hawaii on the return trip. While shelling in the Solomons Tina was stung on the ©
hand by a Conus marmoreus, a potentially very poisonous cone. Fortunately she
lived to tell about it. They had taken an antihistamine along and that helped.
If you would like more information about this, ask Tina. The Petways returned
from the Solomons with a huge suitcase full of self-collected shells and an air
travel bag full of shells, which in November of 1972 won them the DuPont Trophy i
for a four case display of self-collected Solomon Island shells at the Coastal
Bend Gem and Mineral and Shell Show.in Bay City, Texas.

Florida was their next shelling trip in July, 1973. Frank's mother and sister
went along on this trip. Tina was expecting their first child in late October,
1973, but Matthew Timothy waited till Frank was away on another duck hunting
trip to arrive. Laura's voice coming over the CB radio calling Frank awakened
him to tell him that Tina had gone to the hospital at 5 a.m., November 10, 1973.
Frank and Mel arrived in Houston and the hospital before Matt entered this world.

It was another trip to Florida in July, 1974, and 8-month-old Matt went on his
first shelling trip. This time Granny Merle went along.

Bay City had it's annual Gem and Mineral and Shell Show in November, 1974, and
Tina entered a beautiful display of Cones for which she won the DuPont Trophy.

Melanie Michelle Petway entered the family scene April 28, 1976. This one is

a red head and says her name is Melanie, "The Shell". Well, why shouldn’ ta
three-year-old misunderstand "The Shell" for Michelle when the home conversa-
tion is about shells so often. Matt and Melanie both have their own shell col-
lections and they enjoy them very much.

There was a shell show in Corpus Christi, Texas, in October, 1976. Frank de-

_ cided he might have enough Volutes to enter. His four cases of Volutes did
prove to be sufficient because Frank received the DuPont Trophy for his efforts.

Now the Petways have three DuPont Trophys. They also have numerous other tro-

phys for best of class, shell of the show and many blue ribbons for displays

entered in Bay City, Galveston and San Marcos, Texas. Competitive shell shows

>

90

have lost their popularity in Texas in recent years. Too bad. They were very
exciting.

The Petways were seriously thinking about making a return trip to the Solomon
Islands when they discovered Baby #3 was on the way. So on Good Friday, May
13, 1979, Miss Tracey Lee Petway joined the Petway Clan and she is as adorable
as kids #1 and #2.

Frank became President of the Houston Conchology Society in May, 1978, and
was re-elected for a second year in May, 1979. He has also served as Vice
President-Program Chairman and on the Board of Directors in recent years.
Frank joined the club in the Fall of 1971. He is a graduate of the University
of Houston and is employed by Shell Oil Company.

Tina joined the Houston Conchology Society in May, 1969, and has served as

Vice President-Program Chairman and Hospitality Chairman. Tina has her degree
in interior design from Sam Houston State College. Most recently Tina has been
the writer of this column, Scoping the Members. At present, Tina is on leave
of absence for a few months due to her duties as a new MOMMY. Please folks,
encourage her to return to her writing duties SOON.

Only subbing in,

Merle Kleb
HRKKKHES

MAY NOT BE MANY OYSTERS FROM GALVESTON THIS YEAR

A report in the Houston Chronicle (May 27, 1979) indicated that biologists

of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department were worried over the spring floods
and heavy rains sending too much fresh water into Galveston and Trinity bays,
threatening to devastate the state's prime oyster beds.

Hot weather would add to the problems to seriously imperil the oysters, the
biologists stated. Bob Hofstetter of the department's Seabrook office said
that the oysters in Trinity Bay would probably be the most affected because
of the runoff from Trinity River.

In Carlos Byars' science story Hofstetter was quoted as follows: "They can't
stand fresh water at high temperatures," .. "During bad conditions they close
up. But during hot weather they can stay closed for only a short time. They
can stay closed for weeks during cool weather." He said that fresh water also
keeps oysters from reproducing. May is the most important spawning season for
oysters, although there is a secondary spawn during the fall.

The good news reported by Hofstetter was that the oyster drills (our Thais
haemastoma floridana forms) had already been killed by the fresh water. He
blamed the drill for the heavy loss of oysters last year on Dollar Reef in
Galveston Bay.

The Oyster season in Galveston and Trinity Bays was closed last fall to allow
the reefs to recover from several years of poor reproduction. No decision
will be made on an oyster season this fall until September. The minimum size
for oysters to be collected is 3 inches. An excellent spawn took place last
year, according to C.E. Bryan, shellfish program director of the coastal
fisheries branch of TPW.

91

MONOGRAPH By H. Ode

DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA IN
THE NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO

(A Continuing Monograph)

SUPERFAMILY PECTINACEA
Family Pectinidae

In view of the large number of fossil and recent species the Pectinidae
present serious difficulties to the specialist. In his article in the Treat.
of Invert. Pal., Vol. N, part 1, L. G. Hertlein ordered the family into a num-
ber of "groups", without taxonomic status in which similar species were group-
ed together; no firm commitment was made. To avoid such a loose arrangement,
even though prudent at this time, I shall follow here the arrangement used by
Abbott (1974), who for the recent North American material distinguishes three
subfamilies, here cited only with some genera of our region:

1) Pectinidae with Pecten and Amusium.

2) Chlamydinae with Chlamys, Aequipecten, Argopecten, Nodipecten, Cyclo-

pecten, Delectopecten, Palliolum.
3) Propeamussiinae with Propeamussium.

It is unfortunate that so little appears to be known about the morphology of
pectinid valves in their early stages. It is my firm conviction that much
information about their relationships can be derived from the prodissoconch
which are amazingly different. As an example consider the prodissoconchs of
the small pectinids grouped by Hertlein in the "Eburneola" group. Their pro-
dissoconchs are so different that I believe that their arrangement together in
the Chlamydinae is rather a matter of convenience than of understanding. Some
may be chlamyd in affinity. A typical chlamyd prodissoconch is that of Argo-
pecten where both valves are rather flat and the radial riblets start ina
somewhat hesitating manner. Although about equally inflated at first, unequal
inflation becomes accentuated in Argopecten, but not in Aequipecten or Chlamys.
In those very juvenile valves I have seen of chlamyd material there are teeth
in the byssal notch (ctenolium), but whether all Chlamys have those at that
early stage I do not know. In Sontrast the prodissoconch of Pecten raveneli,
at least I believe it to be that species - is quite different. The valve which
later will grow into the inflated one is already quite inflated when about 1 mm.
in size, is reddish in color and in the umbonal area covered by a dense net of
small pustules. There are no teeth in the byssal notch. Comparing the small
pectinids such as Cyclopecten or Delectopecten with the Argopecten and Pecten
(Euvola) we note that Cyclopecten to some extent resembles Pecten, and not Argo-
pecten. Both valves of Cyclopecten spec. indet. B (close of C. nanus) when
under 1.-mm. in size are quite dissimilar. The radially streaked valve is much
inflated with a smooth swollen umbo and carries a few fence like concentric
ridges, and the other valve is much flatter. There are no teeth in the byssal
notch. The difference of umbonal inflation can still be seen in older valves.
(See figure on next page)

92

———

——

ee

jl Compared with Cyclopecten, Delectopecten
is quite different, in fact so different

that I think it highly unlikely that it
can be placed in the same subfamily. The
prodissoconch is somewhat unsymmetrical and
densely lamellose with concentric ridges.
It looks the more different because it is

Sketch of inflated and clearly set off rather abruptly from the
flat valve of Cyclopecten nepionic shell.

In view of this diversity it is no wonder that the small pectinids cannot be

treated here with the literature at my disposal. It is striking again that

both generic distribution and species distribution in these genera seems to

follow the Panamanic Province more closely that the Atlantic (6 species of

Cyclopecten, 1 Delectopecten, and perhaps Palliolum). Unfortunately I do no
understand at present the precise differences
between Cyclopecten and Palliolum but will

(Y, Np come back to some of my own observations

when these genera are discussed.

Sketch of inflated valve
of Cyclopecten nanus

Genus Pecten Muller, 1776.
Large shells with one inflated (lower or right valve) and a flat upper valve.

In the N.W. Gulf of Mexico only a single species in the subgenus Euvola Dall,
1897.

313. Pecten (Euvola) raveneli Dall, 1898.
Pecten (Pecten) raveneli Dall, T.W.F.I.S., Vol. 3, pt. 4, p. 721,
MODS. 20.0 igent0, -aBI8- be e
Sometimes reported as Pecten medius, of authors, not Gmelin.

Often dredged alive and apparently widespread over the Texas-Louisiana
shelf in a depth range of 10-30 fms. In most specimens the valves
are discrepant in color, the inflated valve being almost pure white,
but with some pink towards the umbo, the flat valve being an uniform
purplish red, which is lighter near the umbo. However, especially
in younger specimens the inflated valve can be colored by reddish
spots and rarely - as in a large live specimen from Heald Bank - can
be a uniform light pink. There are also some flat valves of uniform
orange color in the H.M.N.S. collection. There is no ctenolium.

The genus Amusium is only superficially close to Euvola, as juvenile
material appears somewhat similar. One difference is that the flat
valve of Pecten raveneli starts growing with a negative radius of
curvature after it reaches about 2-3 mm. in size.

The species has been found rarely in beachdrift from Galveston to St.
Joseph Island (Galveston, Sargent, Matagorda), but south of Corpus
Christi it becomes more common in drift. It lives in many types of
bottoms, but appears to prefer hard substrate of shell rich bottoms

93

and shale uplifts (Stetson Claypile); on the algal reefs it is rare.
Also taken in the mudlump fauna.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 144, listed for
offshore location 1088; 145, deep shelf, Mississippi Delta; 156,
Stetson Bank; 174, listed; 175, Intermediate Shelf, 12-35 fms.,
sand bottom, few, pl. 4, bie! 30; 206, records Tex. Conchol., Vol. IV
p. 2; 225, Galveston; 236, Galveston; 253, rare on reef off South
Padre Island; 269, figured on p. 164.

Records H.M.N.S.: 52 lots, of which 15 contain live collected material.

Depth Range: 0-55 fms; alive 6-30 fms.

Geographical Range: North Carolina-Florida, Texas-Louisiana shelf,
West Indies.

Maximum Size: 58 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

Genus Amusium Roding, 1798.

Very thin, but large shells; both valves are inflated. Juveniles show a very
small ctenolium, which disappears in larger shells (up to about 14 cm.). In
the N.W. Gulf of Mexico only a single species.

Amusium papyraceum (Gabb, 1873).

Pleuronectia papyracea Gabb, Geol. Santo Domingo, p. 257.

“this well Known Large (up to 3 inches) Pecten is widespread over the

Texas-Lousiana Shelf on shelly and muddy bottoms. The valves are dif-

ferent in color, internally ribbed and quite thin, but strong. Juve-

niles of about 1 cm. size show 5 small teeth in the ctenolium (white

to dark), but in specimens of about 2 cm. they have disappeared because

of shell thickening. Remarkable is the fact that a relatively large

proportion of our valves show irregularities in the internal shell sur-
face which look as if sand grains are incorporated in the shell struc-
ture. Only a few times this species has been taken on Texas beaches;
in all instances known to me such finds were made on Padre Island.

(See ref. 206).

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 123, not uncommon
in the 30 to 40 fathom zone offshore; one valve in 24 fms. off
Corpus Christi Pass, also in 17 fms. south east of Freeport, and
in 25-26 fms. off Mustang Island; 139, open shelf, pl. 39, fig. 39;
144, at many offshore locations; 145, deep shelf, pl. 7, figs. 11A-B;
147, dead from Baker Bank, and Big Southern Bank; 156, Stetson Bank;
174, listed; 175, outer shelf 40-65 fms., abundant, whole coast,
mud bottom, pl. 5, fig. 11; 201, listed for mudlump fauna; 206,
beach records in Tex. Conchol., Vol. 4, p. 2, 1967.

Records H.M.N.S.: 64 lots, Of which 25 contain live collected materiai.

Depth Range: 10-75 fms.; alive 10-70 fms. on sand and mud bottoms.

Geographical Range: Gulf of Mexico to Brazil.

Maximum Size: 76 fms.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

Genus Lyropecten Conrad, 1862.
In the N.W. Gulf of Mexico only the subgenus Nodipecten Dall, 1898, with a
Single large species.

Lyropecten (Nodipecten) nodosus (Linne, 1758).

Ostrea nodosa Linne, Syt. Nat., 10th Ed., No. 164, p. 697, 1758.
This large Pecten is locally common on the shale uplifts and coral
reefs, but is rarely dredged from sandier shell bottoms. On rare
occasions valves have been found on Texas beaches from Matagorda to

94

es.

South Padre Island. At the latter location valves are more common
than anywhere else. JI have not seen juvenile material smaller than
16 mm. These small shells are already coarsely ribbed with a lower
rib between two more elevated ones. The nodules which become hollow
are formed by a sudden upward flaring of the valve margin.

In the smallest material available the early shell is quite flat,
often yellowish in color, and somewhat concentrically ribbed. Un-
fortunately it is the valve without denticles in the byssal gap.
Sometimes in juvenile specimens there are coarse concentric lamellae
between the ribs.

The color of fullgrown Texas material is usually a dark maroon red but

some specimens (rarely) tend to orange red and one specimen is brick-

red with white flames.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province: 21, listed; 69, listed
in Appendix 8, Port Isabel, page 54; 110, one dead shell taken
from St. Joseph Island and fragments occasionally found at Port
Isabel, pl. 8, fig. 10; 156, Stetson Bank; 175, listed for outer
shelf, 40-65 fms., few, Texas to Mexico, sand bottom. Note: Pl. 5,
fig. 12, shows Aequipecten glyptus, hence probably a misidentifica-
tion; 206, Tex. Conchol., Vol. TV, D.%e,- Dede records; 253, rare
on reef off So South Padre Island; 269, figured On:.p. 166.

Records H.M.N.S. 11 lots, of which 3 contain live collected material.

Depth Range: 9-55 fms. ; aaee 12-31 fms.

Geographical Range: North Carolina, Bermuda, Florida, Texas and mid
Atlantic (Abbott (1974).

Maximum Size: 161 mm. (width) X 145 mm. (height) (dead valve).
146 mm. (width) X 141 mm. (height) (live specimen).

Eastern Pacific Analogue: Lyropecten (Nodipecten) subnodosus (Sowerby,
1835) "Scammon's Lagoon", Baja California to Peru (Keen, 1971).

Genus Chlamys Roding, 1798.
Somewhat elongate, strongly ribbed bivalves with unequal ears. In the N.W.
Gulf of Mexico only two species.

316. Chlamys multisquamata (Dunker, 1864).
Unfortunately I reported this species previously as Chlamys sentis,
which is quite different. The species is rare and lives off the Texas-
Louisiana coast only in calcareous environment. The early shell shows
under the microscope a quite characteristic sagrinate posterior of
small radial grooves. Its ears are very different in size. The color
is yellow orange or blotched, while large specimens tend to become
more purplish. The color of the valves can be discrepant in some speci-
mens (lemon yellow and orange purple). There are strong teeth in the
byssal gap in the material studied by me. Very finely ribbed with
numerous ribs of equal size, which become minutely scaled towards the
margin. These scales are located on top of the ribs and are triangular
in shape.
Previous records for the Texas faunal oa cai are: 206, (as C. sentis,

Tex. Conchol., Vol. 9, p. 77. tts

Kecords H.M.N.S. 4 lots, of which 3 contain live collected material.
Depth Range: 13-31 fms., only in calcareous environment; alive 13-31
fms.

Geographical Range: Florida, West Indies to Brazil (Abbott, 1974). .
Maximum Size: 61 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

95

Fig. 1 Chlamys multisquamata (Dunker, 1864), brought up by divers from
13-16 fms., East Flower Gardens, coral reef 90 miles off Galveston, Texas,
aboard the USS Haynsworth, October 8, 1967. 41-38 mm. 7

96

‘
/
\

Fig. 2 Chlamys benedicti (Verrill and Bush, 1897), trawled by Capt. Allen
Kight, shrimper, 60 miles SSE of Galveston, Texas, 25 fms., Nov. 22, 1967.

17.2-16.5 mm.

97

317. Chlamys benedicti (Verrill and Bush, 1897).
Over the Texas-Louisiana shelf this is a fairly widespread species in
many types of environment and in an extended depth range. It is rare
on the beaches, only a small single valve known from Mustang Island
beach. In offshore waters it is often dredged on shelly sand or mud
bottoms and it lives also on the shale domes and in calcareous environ-
ment. In shape it is quite variable and in color pattern it is un-
excelled among pectinids in the N.W. Gulf of Mexico. Spectacular
specimens are vividly and contrastingly colored by half circular
patterns of color (see sketch). Most common :
are irregular blotches of color. Also com-
pletely uniform colors occur (yellow, orange, ee
red, purple) but rare are radial patterns of [/
color. The intensity of spinosity is so vari-
able that I first believed that the H.M.N.S.
material possibly could be interpreted as a
mixture of two different species. (It must
be noted that juvenile Aequipecten muscosus (Vuy
‘is quite different and far more spinose with UES,
larger spines.) However, the differences are
not consistent and are probably caused by the
large depth range and adaptation to various
ecologies (shale, coral, sand bottoms). Strong teeth are present in
the byssal gap. Large specimens rarely reach up to 19-20 mm., but
most specimens stay well below 15 mm.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 144, reported from |

loc. 538; 145, deep shelf, dead; 147, dead on Baker Bank, dead on
Big Southern Bank; 156, Stetson Bank; 170, deep shelf, pl. 13, fig.
4;.174, Listed; 206, Tex..Conchol.,,Vol.°9,.p.» 77; 214,'pl. 11,
figs. 3 and 4. i a
Records H.M.N.S.: 34 lots, of which 8 contain live collected material.
Depth Range: 6-60 fms., and one lot from the beach; alive 17-40 fms.
Geographical Range: Southern half of Florida to Texas (Abbott, 1974).
Maximum Size: 19.9 mm., but a broken specimen indicates sizes of over

20 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: Probably close to Chlamys lowei (Hertlein,
1935). "Catalina Island, California to Ecuador and the Galapagos

Islands in depths to 146 m." (Keen, 1971).

Genus Argopecten Monterosato, 1889.

Valves of unequal convexity, growing to fairly large size and discrepant in
color. Ctenolium present but reduced in large valves. Juveniles of Argopecten
are much thicker than those of Chlamys or Aequipecten. Formerly the 3 N.W.
Gulf of Mexico species were considered as Aequipecten but there seem to be many
points of difference. (See a study by T.R. Waller, 1969, Journ. Pal., Vol. 43,
suppl. 5).

318. Argopecten irradians amplicostatus (Dall, 1898).
Pecten gibbus amplicostatus Dall, 1898. T.W.F.L.S., Vol. 3 (4),
Dp. 14557 4

The common bay scallop of the Texas Coast is in danger of extinction
due to man made changes in environment in the bays. I have not seen
live material in several years near Galveston, where it used to be
common. Dead valves are still washed ashore in large numbers all
along Texas beaches from Sabine to the south west. In Louisiana it is
apparently replaced by the subspecies A. irradians concentricus (Say,
1822), but unfortunately only a single lot of Argopecten from Louisiana

*

8

is in the H.M.N.S. collection so that no definite statement can be
made.

Beach valves are often colored a reddish orange, but this is an un-
natural color caused by bleaching in sunlight. Live shells are dis-
crepant in color: the right or inflated valve is almost pure white
but often with some small brownish discolorations close to the umbo;
the left or less inflated valve is a dark grayish brown on the ribs,
but often white in the intercostal areas. Juveniles are often darker
colored.

In Louisiana apparently replaced by A. irradians concentricus Say,
1822, which has more ribs, and is darker and looks more regular in
consequence. However, the difference is hardly sufficient to justify
its subspecific status.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 1, (as Pecten
concentricus Say), Galveston; 7, listed as P. irradians Lamarck,
and P. irradians amplicostatus Say); 15, Corpus Christi and Gal-
veston, abundant; 18, beach worn valves are common at Galveston and
Corpus Christi; 21, listed; 26, chiefly west of the Mississippi on
the Texas Coast and south to Carthagena, p. 747, also as P. gibbus
irradians Lamarck, stated by Dall to live in deeper water than
gibbus and to be less colorful. This is completely in error for
Texas material and Dall must have been confused; 45, Galveston,
Corpus Christi; 56, listed; as Aequipecten irradians dislocatus Say,
living in Aransas Bay; 61, reported under four labels for Port
Aransas area; 62, Mustang Island, Padre Island, Corpus Christi Bay;
65, sandy beaches; 67, Point Isabel; 69, listed; 97, Red Fish Bay,
beach Padre Island; 110, dead shells common on all Texas beaches,
alive in Aransas Bay and Laguna Madre at Port Isabel, pl. 8, figs.
6-7; 126, listed for bays and lagoons, moderate to high salinity of
of Carolinian Province (note this includes apparently the subspecies
concentricus); 131, dead from the Gulf, alive from the bays; 135,
alive from the bays; 139, beach and surfzone, near shore Gulf, pl.
39, fig. 35 (note: very peculiar reference for a bay species);

145, upper sound, inlets, shallow shelf (all dead), pl. 2, figs.
10A-B; 146, Islands, sound, shore, pl. 4, fig. 31; 160, dead in
Matagorda Bay; 164, alive near Rockport in various types of environ-
ment and alive in Laguna Madre in inlet environment; 174, listed;
175, listed for open sound or open lagoon assemblage, abundant in
inlet end of lagoon, pl. 2, fig. 4; 191, listed for Pleistocene of
Texas; 193, alive in Laguna Madre at Port Isabel in spring months,
apparently migratory; 194, listed as food item for black drum (fish);
206, beach records in Tex. Conchol., Vol. IV, p. 3; 208, listed

for several environments; 225, Galveston; 235, Galveston; 251, listed~
for Yucatan shelf; 269, figured on page 165.

Records H.M.N.S.: 27 lots, of which 3 contain live collected material.

Depth Range: 0-73 fms.; alive in O-1 fms. in sheltered bays.

Geographical Range: Galveston - South to Columbia (see Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 73 mm. (width) X 68 mm., alive in West Galveston Bay.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None close.

319. Argopecten irradians concentricus (Say, 1822).
Only a single lot of this slightly different subspecies from “tke most
easterly of the Isles Dernieres (Louisiana) is present in the H.M.N,S.
collection. Previous references to it from Texas may prove to be all

99

untrustworthy and probably are based on either inflated or flat

valves. Pulley (Ref. 110), reports and illustrates a few dead shells

from Galveston; we have never seen it there, and probably the sub-

species reaches its most westerly locality on the Louisiana coast.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 110, Galveston,
Oh. Sy LEC. > dee a

Records H.M.N.S.: A single lot from Isles Dernieres, (Louisiana).
No live material.

Depth Range: Beach material only.

Geographical Range: Maryland to Georgia and Tampa, Florida to
Louisana (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 38 mm.

Bastern Pacific Analogue: None

320. Argopecten gibbus (Linne, 1758).
Ostrea gibba.

This more colorful species is widespread over the shallow sandy shelf |
area of the Texas-Louisiana coast, but except in South Texas it hardly —
ever reaches the coast. Beach valves become not uncommon south of
Port Aransas but at Galveston, Freeport and Matagorda they are quite
rare. A. gibbus is more irregular in shape than A. irradians, has '
more ribs than amplicostatus but differs mainly by its totally different
color pattern. Both valves are colored, often with distinctive flames —
and blotches of vivid and contrasting colors; although the bottom valve
is less strongly colored. Both valves are about equally inflated. It
is noteworthy that although often dredged dead in large numbers live
material is fairly uncommon. In the literature I find that its maxi-
mum size is given about 2 inches. Off the Texas coast however dead
specimens of almost 3 inches in maximum width and slightly less in heigt
are not particularly rare although the bulk of the material stays below |
two inches.. .Older valves without color are sometimes difficult to

separate from A. nucleus. We have some material (mudlumps) which re-

sembles that species.

}
i

Between the costae many specimens show concentrically arranged lamella-
tions and often there appears to be a lighter colored rib in the mid-
dle of the shell. Juvenile material is typical for Argopecten. After
the prodissoconch stage the valve starts to thicken dramatically and
specimens of 1-2 mm. in size are already different from Chlamys. A
ctenolium is present but much less developed than in the genus Aequi-
pecten.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 15, (as Pecten
irradians dislocatus), living shells rare; 17 (as P. irradians
dislocatus), living in Corpus Christi Bay (Note references 15 and
16 are puzzling); 19, living in Matagorda and Espiritu Santo Bay,
(also probably A. irradians); 21, listed as P. dislocatus; 45,
Matagorda, Corpus Christi; 61, Port Aransas area; 62, Mustang Is-
land, Padre Island and Corpus Bay; 65, sandy beaches; 66, Marine)
Pleistocene of Texas; 67, Point Isabel; 69, listed in Appendix 8;
110, dead shells are sometimes found on the south end of Padre Is-
land; 123, a few isolated valves, tentatively identified as this
species were taken from 11.fathoms east of Freeport, Texas; 137,
in final list, not in text; 144, listed for offshore station 1088;
145, deep shelf, (alive), plate 7. figs. A-B; 146, reworked delta
deposits, pl. 4, fig. 28; 156, Stetson Bank, common; 170, listed
for transitional shelf assemblage; 174, listed; 175, intermediate
shelf, 12 to 35 fathoms on sand bottom; 201, mudlump fauna; 206,

*

100

beach records Tex. Conchol., Vol. IV, p. 3; 214, pl. 11, figs. 7-8;
225, Galveston; 236, Galveston; 269, figured on page 164.

Records H.M.N.S.: 101 lots, of which 11 contain live collected material.

Depth Range: 0-82 fms.; alive 73 fms.-55 fms. (one beach specimen
alive at South Padre Island). Almost always dredged on sandy shelly
bottoms. Rare on miocene shale uplifts and calcareous environments.

Geographical Range: Off Maryland to Florida and south Texas to Brazil.
Bermuda. (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 74.7 mm. (width) X 68 mm. (height) (dead). 56 X 52
(alive) at 55 fms.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: Argopecten circularis (Sowerby, 1835).
"Cedros Island, Baja California, south to Paita, Peru in depth of
1 to 135 m." (Keen, 1971). ‘

Genus Aequipecten P. Fischer, 1886.

Different from Argopecten but close to Chlamys, but heavier. However the 3
species here grouped together under Aquipecten seem so different that I am not
sure that their arrangement in a single genus makes sense. A. glyptus is a
pectinid close to Amusium and not an Aequipecten. er

Aequipecten muscosus (Wood, 1828).

Pecten miscosus. Gray, Woods, Ind. Test. Suppls, pi. 2, fig. 2.

Over the Texas-Louisiana shelf this species is often dredged alive.

Although large size oldér specimens sometimes appear thinner and have

auricles of the shape resembling those of A. acanthodes (Dall, 1925),

this latter species does not live in the N.W. Gulf of Mexico. All

material inspected by me has the typical muscosus pattern of imbri-
cations on the ribs. A large somewhat concave spine on top of the rib,
flanked by a row on each side of thorny somewhat curved spines. In
between the ribs rows of scales can develop, especially in mature
specimens near the margins. In juvenile material the spinosity is
emphasized and especially the hinge line can be wildly spinose. . Very
variable in color usually reddish brown, blotched, but also yellow or
bright orange.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 56, "North Caro-
lina to Florida and Teyas"; 110, dead shells on St. Joseph Island
and at Port Isabel; 136, off East Texas at 54 feet; 44, offshore at
locations 537, 538, 1087, 1088; 145, deep shelf, dead; 147, dead on
Baker Bank; 156, Stetson Bank; 170, transitional shelf assemblage;
174, listed; 175, intermediate shelf 12-35 fms. sand bottom, pl. 4,
fig. 28; 191, marine pleistocene of Texas; 201, mudlump fauna; 214,
pl. 11, figs. 9-10; 206, Tex. Conchol., Vol. IV, p. 3; 251, Yucatan
Shelf; 269, figured on p. 165.

Records H.M.N.S.: 56 lots, of which 10 contain live collected material.

Depth Range: 0-55 fms.; alive 9-55 fms.

Geographical Range: North Carolina to Florida and Texas to Brazil.
Bermuda (Abbott, 1974).

Maximum Size: 47 mm. (width) X 45 mm. (height).

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

. Aequipecten phrygium (Dall, 1886).

Pecten phrygium Dall, B.M.C.Z., Vol. 12, No. 6, p. 217, 1886.
Only 4 lots oY this quite different Aequipecten are in the H.M.N.S.
collection all from off Louisiana. Kennedy (Ref. 170) was the first
to report this species from this area (off East Texas). The normal
color is creme with large blood red spots of irregular shape. A single
incomplete specimen is uniformly lemon yellow in color. To be noted

101

Fig. 3 Aequipecten muscosus (Wood, 1828), trawled by Capt. Allen Kight,
shrimper, 96 miles SE of Freeport, Texas, in 55 fms., June, 1965. 36-35 mm.

102

|
}

{
|

Fig. 4 Aequipecten sp. indet. A., dredged by Stubbs and Geis 110 miles SE of
Freeport, Texas, from mud, 75’ fms., July 18, 1967. 7.25 mm. length, 7 mn.
width.

Fig. > Propeamussium pourtalesianum (Dall, 1886), Van Veen grab from
450 fms. 99 miles SSE of Freeport, Texas, by Stubbs and Geis June 18, 1967.
2.6 mm.

103

323.

324.

Genus Cyclopecten Verrill, 1897. |

Aequipecten glyptus (Verrill, 1882).

is that the trivial name is not an adjective but genetive plural, so

that it can not be changed (phrygius is in error).

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 170, off East
Texas, pl. 10, fig. 3. (Deep water).

Records H.M.N.S.: 4 lots, no live material.

Depth Range: 51-85 fms.

Geographical Range: Cape Cod to Florida and West Indies (Abbott, 1974)

Maximum Size: 42.5 mm. X 38 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

|

Pecten " glyptus Verrill, Trans. Conn. Acad. Sci., 5, p. 580.
The asSignment of this species to the genus Aequipecten is very strange
The species is so completely differenet from both previous species that:
I am convinced it belongs somewhere else. Since a proper assignment
can only be made by an expert here I shall not attempt to propose one
of the genera enumerated in the Treatise of Invert. Paleontology. A.
glyptus is a large species, from deeper water, with fairly thin, mod= |
erately inflated valves, no ctenolium, and small auricles. |

The sculpture of the valves is strongly discrepant. The red colored
valve has a microscopic scabrous sculpture somewhat reminiscent of A. —
phrygium, but the white valve is fairly smooth. Unfortunately there
is no juvenile material in the H.M.N.S. collection.
Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 144, listed for
offshore location 540; 174, listed; 175, upper continental era
few mostly deeper than 100 fms., plate 5. fig. «12 (mislabelled).
Records H.M.N.S. 6 lots, two of which contain live collected materia’
Depth Range: 70-110 fms.; alive at 70-95 fms.; also in mudlump fauna. |
Geographical Range: South of Cape Cod to Florida to off Texas (Abbott.
1974).
Maximum Size: 76 mm. X 78 mm. (Alive).
Eastern Pacific Analogue: None. .

Aequipecten sp. indet. A.

These few small valves could be the juveniles of A. glyptus, but look

considerably different upon comparison. However much older valves

often assume a different appearance near the umbo. There are only 3 |

small valves of this "species", which are noteworthy for their flat .

appearance with clearcut triangular ribs. ri

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 206, Tex. Conchol
Tore. IX, p. 17 (as Aequipecten sp. B).

Records H.M.N.S. 3 lots, none alive.

Depth Range: 70-85 fms.

Geographical Range: Unknown.

Maximum Size: 7.3 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: Unknown.

Identification of spécies in this genus is extremely difficult because the

smaller right valves are often quite similar, but the left valves may be con-
siderably different. Also it is not easy to state what are specific characters’
and what are not.

Small mainly circular, thin, with discrepant sculpture: the small right
valve has concentric sculpture, the larger left valve has radial and/or

104

reticulate sculpture. Abbott (1974)
mentions equally sized auricles but this
varies in left and right valve (see sketch)
and the difference constitutes the opening
for the byssus. There are no teeth in the
byssal notch.

buccal neteh
without feeth

in yclopecten

The distinction of Cyclopecten and Palliolum
is unclear to me and I will restrict myself
to some disjoint remarks. We have a few
lower Valve valves, which are rather smooth and one
specimen resembling a very small Amusium
papyraceum, which are smooth on the valve

and have a few teeth in the byssal gap.
These are here reported later as Palliolum (?), where the question mark is a

huge size.

upper valve

325. Cyclopecten nanus Verrill and Bush, 1897.
means. Cont. Acad: Sch, p..657°02,%pl. 46, Piss. ciz=t2ec.

After careful inspection of our material, I have come to the con-

@rision that this 1s a rare species off the’ Louisiana coast, “that

it hardly reaches Texas, but that the bulk of the Texas shells of

Cyclopecten are so different as to be called at least subspecifically

different or entirely different. Its larger valve becomes below a

rather smooth umbo reticulately sculptured, and towards the margin

densely striated by somewhat undulatory closely crowded radial grooves.

The color is soft brown or creme often with dark blotches in irregular

patterns.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: (All these records
meed réidentification}. 139, listed for "outer shelf", pl. 39,
fig. 50; 145, deep shelf, dead, pl. 7, figs. 13A-B, text figure
24A; 175, listed for upper continental slope; 65-600 fms., common
east of Mississippi Delta, rare west of Delta, pl. 6, fig. 11; 206,
mae Conchol.,, (VoL. IX, p. 77; 2taycpt.' 11, figs. *5=63-251, Yucatan
shelf.

Records H.M.N.S.: 6 lots, of which 2 contain live cqllected material.

Depth Range: 25-55 fms., in mud and over algal reef; alive 40-55 fms.

Geographical Range: Virginia to Gulf of Mexico to Brazil (Abbott,
1974).

Maximum Size: 5.6 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: ?

326. Cyclopecten sp. indet. A.
This species is shaped differently from C. nanus and allied species.
It is very symmetrical with the umbo almost exactly in the middle. Its
lower margin is an almost perfect circular arch subtending about 200
degrees suddenly changing into two straight lines toward the umbo,
giving the impression of angularity at the sides.

The concentrically ribbed valve is quite regular, the concentric ribs

being slightly elevated. The other valve shows clear cancellate sculp-

ture below the umbo which disappears toward the margin. Both valves

appear quite discrepant. Some specimens have formed large external
"teeth' above the upper margin of the auri-
cles (see sketch). I have not seen colored
material of this species.

105

Fig. 6 Cyclopecten sp. indet. B, dredged from 110 fms. 86 miles SE of
Freeport, Texas, by Geis and Stubbs, July 18, 1967. 5.5-5.3 mm.

Fig. 7 Cyclopecten sp. indet. A, Van Veen grab by Geis and Stubbs, 66 mile
SSE of Freeport, Texas, 67 fms., June 4, 1967. 4.4-4.2 mm.

106

4
ee

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 206, Tex. Conchol.,
Wot. IX, -p. 77.

Records H.M.N.S.: 10 lots, none alive in mud bottoms.

Depth Range: 63-167 fms.

Geographical Range: Unknown.

Maximum Size: 5.8 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: ?

327. Cyclopecten sp. indet. B.
The bulk of the N.W. Gulf of Mexico Cyclopectens belongs to a species
which finally may be decided to be only a race or subspecies of C.
nanus. It is however so different from the latter, that I am forced
to set it specifically apart. An excellent figure has been given by
Kennedy (Ref. 170, pl. 16, fig. 3), who identified it as Cyclopecten
nanus (sic!). The larger left valve is practically completely smooth,
but under appropriate light indications of radial sculpture can be seen.
The smaller valve is inflated, and covered by silky and fine growth
incrementals. Its color is never that of C. nanus, but more subdued.
Dead right valves are often blotched by vitreous blotches sometimes
in checkerboard pattern. In the H.M.N.S. collection is a single right
valve which has small evenly spaced denticles all along the outer side
of the.auricles. Usually bleached
but some live material seems of a
different color pattern than C. nanus
Verrill and Bush. Sometimes present
in great profusion in dredgings.
Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 206, Tex. Conchol.,
{exparte).
Records H.M.N.S.: 44 lots, of which 4 contain live collected material.
Depth Range: 133 fms.-75 fms. on mud bottoms; rare on algal reefs
(6 valves at 36 fms.). Alive: 30-50 fms. One lot was obtained
from the entrance to Timbalier Bay in 8 feet of water, (old mud-
lump?) and another almost unidentifiable fragmental valve from
450 fms., which is better leftout the depth range record.
Geographical Range: Unknown.
Maximum Size: 5.6 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: ?

328. Cyclopecten sp. indet. C.
Only two lots of this quite different and heavily sculptured species
are available. One lot comes from the mudlump fauna off the Mississippi
Delta (South Pass) the other from 85 fms. on mud from off Louisiana.
Kennedy (Ref. 170) has figured the species on pl. 15, fig. 1A-B and
labeled it Cyclopecten thalassinum (sic), a species Abbott (1974)
orders with Propeamussium. On the inside of one valve some radial
grooves can be seen, but they correspond with external sculpture of
the valve and are in no way analogous to the internal radials of
Propeamussium. Apparently rare from East Texas to off Louisiana.
Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: Ref. 170, (as
C. thalassinum Dall, 1886). Off East Texas in 60 fms.
Records H.M.N.S.: 2 lots, no live material, in mud.
Depth Range: 85 fms.
Geographical Range: Unknown.
Maximum Size: 5.4 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: Cyclopecten exquisitus Grau, 1959, seems
very close. Angelde la Guarda Island, Gulf of California to Galap-
agos Islands and Callao, Peru, in depth of 22 to 274 m. (Keen, 1971).

107

329. Cyclopecten spec. indet. D.

In coloration this species resembles true C. nanus very much but

its shape and sculpture set apart even small fragments. Its margin
is angular by reason of 4 slightly inflated
radial undulations, so that the shell assume
the superficial likeness to a very minute
Nodipecten (see sketch). The surface of
the larger valve is densely cancellate
but the pits are not as heavy as those in
spec. indet. C. Only 3 lots off Louisiana.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.

Records H.M.N.S.: 3 lots, not alive, but some fresh.

Depth Range: 51-85 fms. on sandy mud. |

Geographical Range: Unknown.

Maximum Size: 3.6 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: This might be related to Cyclopecten
cocosensis (Dall, 1908). Locos Island, Costa Rica and Gulf of
Panama, 95 to 113 mm. (Keen, 1971).

330. Cyclopecten spec. indet. E.
A single valve in rather poor condition is the only evidence for
still another species. It is an unsymmetrical rather roundly and
coarsely lined valve. Obtained at 750 fms. off the Mississippi Delta.
More material is required to evaluate this "species".
Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.
Records H.M.N.S.: 1 single lot, none alive.
Depth Range: 750 fms., in mud.
Geographical Range: Unknown.
Maximum Size: In excess of 4 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: ?

Genus Delectopecten Stewart, 1930. , :
Small, round valves, closely resembling Cyclopecten, but prodissoconch different:
According to Abbott (1974) both valves with reticulate sculpturing.

331. Delectopecten spec. indet. A.
Our only two valves are surprisingly close to Cyclopecten but differ
in a number of important details: 1) valves are partially cancellate;
2) prodissoconch strongly and densely lamellose; 3) posterior auricle
less clearly set off from valve; 4) there are a few minute teeth in
the byssal notch. For the time being these valves remain a puzzle to
me. They do not resemble any Delectopecten I have seen figured or
described..
Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.
Records H.M.N.S.: 1 lot, none alive.
Depth Range: 110 fms., in mud.
Geographical Range: Unknown.
Maximum Size: 5.5 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: None of the Pacific species resembles our

material.

Genus Palliolum Monterosato 1884.
These very small pectinids resemble Cyclopecten closely and differ from it by

108

characters which are difficult to ascertain from the literature. Here I will
classify a few meagre lots to the genus, realizing that I may be mistaken in

this assignment.

332. Palliolum sp. indet. A.
3 lots of a rather oily smooth species with a streaky color pattern
are available. The specimens have a few very minute teeth in the
byssal gap. More material is needed for evaluation.
Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.
Records H.M.N.S.: 3 lots, one of which contains live collected

material.

Depth Range: 23-32 fms., in mud; alive at 23 fms.
Geographical Range: Unknown.
Maximum Size: 4.7 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

ea ralitolum sp. indet. B.
Similarly vague I must be about some fragments of a differently
shape valve showing byssal teeth in the byssal gap. Color of the
fragments is rose, with a color pattern of irregular streaks of
white.
Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.
Records H.M.N.S.: 2 lots, none alive.
Depth Range: 37-40 fms., in mud.
Geographical Range: Unknown.
Maximum Size: Only incomplete material available, + 4-5 mm.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

Genus Propeamussium Gregorio, 1884.
Small, slightly inflated, thin shelled pecten with internal ribs.

334. Propeamussium pourtalesianum (Dall, 1886).

Amusium (Propeamussium) pourtalesianum Dall, B.M.C.Z., Vol. 12 (6),
meet, pl. 5; ‘figs:

Probably widespread in deeper water, but so far only collected in

5 lots mostly from off Louisiana. The species is immediately recog-

nized by the internal ribs which in many specimens do not extend to

the margin of the shell. The color is an indefinite pattern of brown

Orange On a creme background with countless white dots. The sculpture

of both valves is discrepant and there are no teeth in the byssal notch.

Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 206, Tex. Conchol.,
mol. 5IX, p...17.

Records H.M.N.S.: 5 lots, of which one contains live collected material.

Depth Range: 67-450 fms.,; alive at 222 fms.

Geographical Range: Southeast Florida and the West Indies. (Abbott,
1974).

Maximum Size: 12.8 mm.

Eastern Pacific Analogue: None.

Remarks:
Reported from off Texas is also

Propeamussium dalli (E.A. Smith, 1886), in very deep water, 860 fms.
(Abbott, 1974), also Refs. 144 and 175, 65-600 fms., rare.

Ref. 145 lists Chlamys sentis for the Mississippi Delta.

Ref. 170 lists Pecten laurenti Gmelin, which probably is in error for
Amusium papyraceum Gabb.

109

Ref. 192 (Yucatan Shelf) list Lyropecten antillarum Recluz and
Chlamys imbricata Gmelin, 1791. (Plate 8, figs. 2, 5 and figs.
7A-B.

Family Spondylidae

Spondylids are modified pectens which early in life attach themselves to hard
substrate. They grow into giant bivalves, often (not in Texas) covered by
lengthy spines. Because of their varying color and bizarre appearance they
are highly prized by collectors. Recent forms are all classified in the single
genus Spondylus.

Genus Spondylus Linne, 1758.

Of the three described Western Atlantic living species two are known from

the N.W. Gulf of Mexico, but only one is fairly common in calcareous environ-
ment. The 3rd species, here also reported, could be misidentified.

335. Spondylus americanus Hermann, 1781.

Spondylus americanus Hermann, Der Naturforscher, Vol. 19, p. 51,

Halle, 1781.
Until I have inspected authentic material of all species in the Carib-
bean and Panamanic Province it will be impossible for me to name with
certainty most of the H.M.N.S. material. The extremely terse treat- :
ment in Abbott (1974) of the 3 species in the Western Atlantic is not |
explicit enough to understand our material. Apparently the differences.
between S. americanus and S. ictericus are the following: 1) color, |
2) size, 3) spines. S. americanus according to Abbott (1974) is white |
with yellow umbones, red or purple, sometimes all rose, all cream or }
all pink. S. ictericus is brickred or dull red purple with white
mottlings at the umbones. Rarely peach to dark purple or with shades
of yellow and orange.

Spines of S. americanus are not digitate, those of S. ictericus are
often so. Finally S. americanus reaches about twice as large a size as |
S. ictericus. It is true that among our material there are indeed two |
forms, one small, inflated and dark colored, and another much lighter
colored, huge and massive. Hence I believe that both species occur
in the N.W. Gulf of Mexico. There are however certain difficulties.
S. americanus in the Gulf of Mexico off Texas grows to enormous, massive
Shells in excess of 9 inches in size and a weight of many pounds. It
may be an as yet unrecognized subspecies of S. americanus. Usually
it is light colored.

The spinosity of our material is extremely variable, and the specimens
with long slender spines are quite rare. Usually even in live collect--
ed shells, the spines are broken and completely encrusted by algae or
a crust of fire coral. Juvenile material is almost uniformly of an
orange color. In some large specimens the spines are somewhat digitate :
because they almost become fronds. Seldom are they long.

Among the material here reported as S. americanus are essentially

two forms. One fairly round, and one somewhat more elongate corres-
ponding closely with figures given by Keen (1971) of Spondylus prin-
ceps Broderip, 1833, and Spondylus ursipes Berry, 1959, respectively.
Except for size several of our specimens resemble the figure of S.
ursipes Berry, closely. (Usually the Texas specimens are 6-9 inches).

110

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|
|

In summary for our material it can be said that it neither resembles
Florida shells nor fits Pacific material. In general it is huge and
massive. It probably should be labelled as a subspecies of 3. ameri-
canus. <) ee
Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: 7, listec as S.

spathuliferus Sowerby; 21, listed as S. spathuliferus Reeve; 45,

listed; 56, listed as S. echinatus echinatus Martyn, 1784;

listed as S. echinatus americanus Lamarck, 1818; 58, listed as 3.

spathuliferus Reeve for Matagorda Peninsula; 67, Port Isabel (nove

is probably S. ictericus Reeve); 69, listed in Appendix 8; 91, a

Single battered specimen from Sabine jetty; 110, two large live

specimens were taken from the coral banks 100 miles off Calveston;

144, listed for offshore location 297; 147, alive from East Texas

Flower Garden Banks; 156, Stetson Bank; 170, deep shelf assemblage;

ie opi. &, figs... 9A~B; 206, beach, records Tex. Conchol.,; Vol. II,

p. 3 (Note: probably misidentification of S. ictericus Reeve);

253, uncommon on reef off Padre Island; 269, figured on page 167.
Records H.M.N.S.: 12 lots, of which 8 contain live collected material.
Depth Range: 8-31 fms., alive 8-31 fms.

Geographical Range: North Carolina, Florida, Texas to Brazil (Abbott,

1974).

Maximum Size: 23.5 cm., very massive.
Eastern Pacific Analogue: ?

336. Spondylus ictericus Reeve, 1856.
This smaller species is in offshore waters considerably more rare than
the previous species. Although beach material is on the whole, due
to its worn state, difficult to identify. I believe that most if not
all Spondylus material from the Texas beach is S. ictericus Reeve and
not S. americanus as previously reported. a AltA iE =

The most important difference with S. americanus is the surface
sculpture. Between widely spaced radials which form small spines there
are closely crowded rows of finer radials formed by minute spines,
which completely wear off in beach material. Also the amount of in-
flation of the valves is different: the attached valve is considerably
more inflated than the free valve, although this is sometimes also
the case in very large S. americanus.
Previous records for the Texas faunal province are: None.
Records H.M.N.S.: 7 lots, of which 2 contain live collected material.
Depth Range: O-28 fms., alive 12 fms.
Geographical Range: Florida, Caribbean, Bermuda, Brazil (Abbott, 1974).
Maximum Size: 85 mm.
Eastern Pacitic Analogue: Our material has close affinity with both
S. princeps princeps Broderip, 1833 (Panama to north western Peru
(Keen, 1971) and Spondylus ursipes Berry, 1959 (Angel de la Guarda
Island, Gulf of California in 18 meters (Keen, 1971).

337. Spondylus gussoni 0.G. Costa, 1829.
Spondylus gussoni 0.G. Costa, Cat. Syst., 42, 1829.

Two lots of this "species" were obtained, one from somewhat deeper
water, the other from the coral reefs off Galveston. The latter resem-
bles closely the figure given by Bayer (1971). This elongate box like
shell is remarkable for the color discrepancy of the valves. The in-
flated attached valve is almost without spines, is yellowish white in
color, the almost flat free valve is on the outside dark purplish red.
In external sculpture the flat valve resembles Ss. ictericus closely,

111

and probably S. gussoni Costa is merely a form of S. iceticus Reeve.
Previous Records for the Texas faunal province are: 1, listegs
Records H.M.N.S.: 2 lots, one of which contains live collected

material.
Depth Range: 13-55 fms.; alive 13 fms.
Geographical Range: Greater and Lesser Antilles in deep water.
Maximum Size: (not yet measured) +2 inches.
Eastern Pacific Analogue’ ?

To be continued

Fig. g Adula sp. indet A., dredged by Bureau of Commerical Fisheries, Gus I
in 11 fms. at 30 miles S. Rigs off Galveston, Texas, Feb. 15, 1966. 14.1-3. en
(See Texas Conchologist, Vol. XV, No. 3, hae 1979, p. 76.)

Fig. 9 Angulus (Angulus) texanus Dall, 1900, collected by Harold Geis at BT
Hoecker's Point, Galveston West Bay, Texas, on silt flats, Feb. 27, 1968 be
12 mm. (See Texas Concholegist,. Vol. 21f, No. 2, Dec, , 1975, p. Sy ”

Photos by Harold Geis |

A
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HOUSTON CONCHOLOGY SOCIETY, INC.
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Ets Officers 1978-79

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ice-President Maryann Curtis

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Dr. Helmer Odé&