SS a |S » ae Bi Oe Ac Mert prtinaty ting Firtebe sth! ty Pot rel Al agen Fa Riritefto dtd an ee fur tegen ded Prete ails fo dte BH Needs tamed Meta Teedie Reiiy IP. dh p Pal ed Dp Be vit ogee th $s nf sete Cx t . fs s, ae " ri ios. P . ’ ‘ 4 ’ 3 + : A ee the gm Ckottdtetema kas Seas ea mae anni BAe he writ 98 4 16 B swab A Ft» tp. 14 & Bi d- 19 Sa 28 a fe ‘ ef BaD TE TEES HOR RTS SO re cave ie og eet Ol a ie ree edt de oth Se Na teete Mee aetna ST ethe e. Fa 6 te tenn fiat e Catalan eben t tedn NaF ong Ped mnt eon Fea Nae age Pee Rint hn meine SS arr = are in ~~ =per ewe - ~ . tot! i. %. Aver i mw a ~ Sk A al all Re eM - Pot we on i - Stee eo A taal fa ia ante rad g yeaa tad oad Bana we: are Nee 6 en a al Be hd a Pe eed the so It, STN ee ee ee ae ae “eo fmf het a a ea ee (ves 4 eet e. ie a pei o CONCHOLOGIST VOLUME XXVIII, No. 1 | ISSN 0885-1263 OCTOBER 1991 The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST is the official publication of the Houston Conochology 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 following months: August, September, October, January, February, March, April, and May. The meeting is held the third Wednesday in November. Meetings are held at Southside Place Club House, 3743 Garnet, Houston, Texas. Meetings begin at 8:00 pm. 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 to a family membership. Dues extend from the begining 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 begining June 1 of the previous year. Memberships will be accepted throughout the year but will receive 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 $12.00 Single membership $10.00 Student membership $ 6.00 Single Issues $ 2.50 Extra sets mailed members $10.00 (Postage for overseas members required) Subscription $12.00 (Seamail $5.00, Airmail outside U.S., $8.00) EDITOR EDITORIAL ADVISOR Richard M. Yuill Constance E. Boone 1230 Lake Estates Ct. 3706 Rice Blvd. Sugar Land, Texas 77478 Houston, Texas 77005 (713) 491-3842 668-8252 EDITORIAL STAFF Helmer Ode’ Sandra Clark 3319 Big Bend Dr. 1220 Kipling Austin, Texas 78731 Houston,Tx 77006 (512) 452-7794 529-2035 The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST accepts contributions for publication from amateurs, 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 articles are welcomed. TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 SEARCH AND SEIZURE By Constance E. Boone SCRATCHING AND SCRAPING FOR SHELLS Two recent trips to collect in Brazil and in Costa Rica pointed the way to my favorite kind of collecting in the field. Since I like minute and micro shells very much, I have developed over the years some tried and true methods to bring home some of the small shells that favor crevices and hide in among other shells and algae under rocks in tide pools and in rockpiles. It is great fun to bring such material home and put it under the microscope and discover some very neat and unusual shells. I differ a bit in what I collect from what Ode’ does with beach drift, although I like that material also. What I am really trying to do is to find some of the little mollusks alive and learn more about them and how they live and feed. So I head for a rocky area, preferably with tide pools with small and large rocks that can be turned. I wear my head lense, carry a short and stubby knife with a sharp point ( I buy the kitchen paring knives that cost about $1.50 to $2.00 and pick those with the stiffest blade and without serrations), go equipped with small screw top bottles that are clear, sometimes use a small tea strainer, and wear sturdy gloves. You are going to get dirty doing this, because you usually lift up the rocks and hold them in the sun and close to your lens. It always seems best to hold the rocks to your body and use your free hand to do the scratching and scraping with your knife. If the rock is a large, heavy one, you may balance it on another larger rock and bend down to examine the snails. Once you have a rock in hand on which you can observe minute shells, you will note some shells scurrying away and know that these are inhabited usually with hermit crabs. Don‘ t underestimate the value of these, as sometimes they have seen brought there by the crabs and aren’t visible to you elsewhere. But the live snails will remain in place or move more slowly. Using the sun on them makes them appear more clearly. You can push some of them together if the rock is fairly smooth, you can dig out those hiding in crevices, and you can catch those scurrying away and hold them with your knife. Using the blade, you gather as many as the point area can hold and dip the lot into your collecting bottle which you have half-filled with sea water. This makes it very easy to remove the snails and keep them in the bottle instead of trying to knock them off on the bottle edge, TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 thereby often losing many. These, after all, are millimeter sized critters!. There is no way you really know what you might have until you get home and look at the material under a microscope. Oh, you’ll know you have some species you can determine at the site, but there will be others in the goop you scrape from the rocks that only appear with higher magnification than the head lens you wear. For instance, my first look at home at the bottle of material from a beach at Recife, Brazil revealed two species of Aspella, to my delight. I knew I had one species. I didn’t know I had two. I also discovered a delightful small Favartia alveata, a beautiful little muricid. I do keep my material wet until I arrive home, in case something shows up that is uncommon and needs to be studied. In Costa Rica, I followed my instincts that this would be the best collecting for me since I had been there before and had most of the larger material. I was thrilled with the small shells under the rocks. There were some epitoniums. Again, I collected two species of Aspella. There were also small muricids such as the especially prized Favartia erosa. Both locations rendered several species of Rissoina. There were small turbonillas and turrids. There were many minute limpets, a few vitrinellids, and a host of other small shells that will keep me busy many months. What a real joy. It will be very hard to work these out, but the rewards are great for me. Just imagine getting fifty or more species to add to your collection in a few scrapings and scratching under rocks! TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 Fig. 1. Favartia (Caribiella) Fig. 2. Favartia alveata Brazil. (Caribiella) erosa Costa Rica. Fig. 3. Aspella cryptica Fig. 4. Aspella hastula Brazil. Costa Rica. From Shells and Sea Life, Vol. 16, No.11, 1984. TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 SHELLING NEAR THE CHALK CLIFFS by Mary and Kelby Martin OF DOVER In early June 1988, my son Kelby and I had the opportunity to visit some dear friends who had been transferred to London, England. Being an avid sheller, I investigated the possibility of making a day trip to the seashore. My research led me to a travel guide that suggested Folkestone. The article suggested a visit to Warren, which was about a mile east of town and was on a cliff. It stated that this was a good place for collecting fossils. This seaside town is located about 5 miles west of Dover. We walked around a bit, visited a shell shop that had typical tourist items from the Philippines and things that were "made in Japan", and got better directions to the area that we wanted to investigate. As we reached the area, we discovered a lovely grassy carpark that overlooked the cliff. It was a cool clear day, and from the cliff, we could actually see Calais, France. The view of the ferries and hovercrafts crossing the English Channel was breathtaking. The term "warren" means a place where rabbits live, and as we walked the long, steep path to the beach, we did see rabbits coming out of the brush. We also experienced the earth-shaking roar of a high speed train coming out of a tunnel in the mountain. It felt as if WW III had begun!! The road had many chalk rocks on it that had fallen from the nearby mountain, and of course, we collected a few. When we finally reached the beach, we saw several starfish that had been washed in and we collected several dead, worn limpets. Kelby picked up pretty pieces of worn glass and I did find a piece of fossilized scallop. As we approached the chalk boulders, we found them covered with live limpets, but unfortunately, we had no knife and were unable to pry any loose. On the sea grasses that were exposed, we found a couple of nerites about the size and color of a kernel of corn and a rock I was sure was a Cypraea. I call it my "Cowerie rock". The following is a list of the shells we collected that day: LIVE DEAD Nucella lapillus Mytilus galloprovincialis Littorina littorea Crepidula fornicata Patella vulgata Nassarius reticulatis Patella aspera Gibbula cineraria As we left Folkestone, I hoped that I could return, but next time with a knife. We spent a total of 15 days in the London area. The shelling trip was near the beginning and TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 we spent the remaining days searching for alcohol. When we did find some, we paid over $5.00 (U.S.) for about 6 oz. In mid-May 1989, I was able to return to England, this time armed with two bottles of alcohol and a knife. We began this shelling trip at St. Margaret’s Bay, which was about 5 miles east of Dover. We were able to drive down a narrow, winding road to the beach, which was very rocky. We found many Flustra folicea Linnaeus, which is a soft coral, and many of the same things that we had found the year before, but the numbers were much greater. Limpets literally covered the chalk boulders and had carved out holes in them. Many of these limpets were quite large. We then returned to the Warren near Folkestone. This time we climbed down the cliff and watched some young men dig for edible mussels. The boulders were covered with a thick seagrass that had air bladders that popped as we stepped on them. We found more of the same mollusk varieties as before. When we returned to the car, we had a picnic and just enjoyed the gorgeous view. We then drove about 25 miles west to an area called Camber Sands. This is an area with a flat, sandy beach, much like that found on the Gulf Coast of Texas. The tide was very low and we could walk a great distance. There we found many single valves. I did find a whole Solen marginatus, a few whole Ensis ensis, and both valves of several Mactra corallina. The Crepidula fornicata were very large on this beach. My friend and I ended this perfect day in the quaint town of Rye, which was a eshort drive north. We walked the cobblestone streets and took pictures of the lovely antique shops and houses. Literature used Campbell, me. Cz 1989. The Hamlyn Guide to Seashores & Shallow Seas of Britain and Europe, The Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd., London, 320pp. TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 MEET A MEMBER by Mary Martin Meet Lucy and Jerry Clampit, members of the Houston Conchology Society since the mid-1970’s. Lucy works as an elementary school librarian at Spring Branch I.S.D., and Jerry is a librarian at a middle school in the Cy-Fair district. Jerry is also a former middle school band director. They live in the Spring Branch area of Houston, Texas and have two pets, a dog named Brandi and a cat named Merlin. Lucy is a sheller and Jerry is a fisherman. [In 1971, they went fishing at San Luis Pass, Texas, which separates the western end of Galveston Island from the mainland. Lucy’s brother had done some shell collecting, and while Jerry fished, Lucy did some beachcombing. She collected a few crabbed shells and a live Busycon. It had never occurred to her that the shells were made by living animals, and this find caused her to begin reading about shells. She has been hooked ever since. Lucy and Jerry have collected on Union Island in the Grenadines. They have also frequented the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, including the Florida and Texas coasts, and have been to Cozumel twice. The Clampits attended a Houston Conchology Society shell show in about 1973 at Sharpstown Mall in Houston, Texas and joined the club. Since that time, Lucy has been very active in the club. She was the Society’s first female president. She has also been Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Librarian, Auction Chairman, an auction helper, the Houston Conchology Society’s representative to the Conchologists of America and the Conchologists of America’s national historian. Lucy’s special areas of interest are OLIVIDAE (olives), STROMBIDAE (conchs), PECTINIDAE (scallops) and CASSIDAE (helmets). Her favorite shell is Oliva porphyria. She has several from Baja, California, that were purchased, but she would like to collect a live one some day. She is now starting to collect and study members of NATICIDAE (moon snails), and she wants to continue her research in this area. The Clampits’ best and worst collecting stories are one and the same. Several years ago, they visited the scallop dump at Pt. Canaveral, Florida. The collecting was superb, but smelly. Also, the sea gulls created a problem by dive- bombing the Clampits and leaving their customary marks. The "perfume" of the dead shells continued to worsen in the car, and by the time they got to the plane, the aroma was TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 positively dreadful. Fortunately, their flight home was early and uncrowded. Lucy and Jerry also had memorable finds on other trips. At San Luis Pass, Lucy found a corded olive, that is an olive with a raised ridge encircling the usually smooth shell. Jerry found several music volutes at Union Island. These volutes have a special meaning to Jerry since he has been a band director and also because Lucy passed right by the volutes without even seeing then. The Clampits both enjoy doing needlework, especially those with a shell or nautical motif. Lucy likes to paint shirts. Jerry likes to go along on collecting trips and is happiest when he finds something bigger and better than what Lucy finds. Like a typical fisherman, he can brag about getting the bigger shell. Lucy cleans the shells they both find. Jerry cleans the fish they both catch. Sounds like a match made in heaven! TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RANCH by Sandy Clark One of the advantages of typing the Texas Conchologist is having a “sneak preview." After typing Helmer Ode’s article on the land snails of Texas (Texas Conchologist, July, 1991), Jim and I happened to go to his Aunt Lilla’s ranch near Hutto Texas, just northeast of Austin. This is something we do about two times a year as a sort of retreat and to visit relatives. It was during our very rainy spring and it was questionable if the dirt road to the ranch house would be passable. Fortunately, it was and so it was that we "returned to nature" for the first time this year. We usually count on doing some light-weight birding: here one can hear a male cardinal defending his territory on a fence outside the window, first thing in the morning, just ten feet from the bed! The days of horseback riding are over, now that we’re down to one horse and a donkey. We still get around on foot checking out the wildflowers and doing various chores Lilla has saved up for us. At night, after the fireflies have given us their show, Jim and Lilla go through the decades- old ritual of naming the stars and the constellations, passing on the tradition to our son, David. As I said, it had been raining and I had just finished Dr. Ode’s article, so this time we were going shelling, for a change. The topography of the ranch land is hilly and rocky with lots of limestone. There is a fair-sized creek with escarpment on both sides and lots of boulders and rocks. In the past we have found many worn fossils; only a few worth keeping have been found, although a dedicated fossiler could probably do better. There are grazing pastures and on one occasion, many years ago, I came upon one that was so full of estivating snails attached to the tall grasses, that it looked like the field was in bloom. That snail, Rabdotus mooreanus (Pfeiffer, 1868), is present by the tens of thousands; empty shells are strewn all over the ranch. Since there had been so much recent rain, I was hoping to find some live ones, but no such luck. Other snails found were: Rumina decollata Pilsbry, 1946, only two dead; Mesodon roemeri Pfeiffer, these were fairly common in wet mulchy areas; Mesodon thyroides bucculenta Gould, found with the M. roemeri; Praticolella berlandieriana (Moricand, 1833), fairly common in underbrush, none live; Helicina orbiculata (Say, 1818), very common around undergrowth in lightly wooded areas. This last species is an operculate snail; many live ones were found, although the operculum wasn’t always easy to save ( most snails were 7 mm and under). Down by the creek bed, two single gastropod specimens were found: Planorbella trivolvis and Biomphalaria havanensis. TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 There are always abundant specimens of Corbicula fluminea (Muller, 1774) in the creek, although they are quite a bit smaller and thinner than the ones Jim has eaten in Indonesia (#981). Some time, I hope to be able to do a more in-depth survey of the ranch land snail fauna. I wish to thank Dr. Raymond Neck for his assistance in the identification of these species. NEW CURATOR OF INVERTEBRATES AT HMNS Raymond W. Neck, Ph.D., a frequent contributor to Texas Conchologist, is now a resident of Houston and the new Curator of Invertebrates at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Dr. Neck has been a conservation biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department since 1977. In recent years, he has been a consultant to HMNS, providing expertist on the museum’s extensive 100,000 specimen butterfly collection. The museum hopes to have a major exhibit of butterflies and insects in the near future and also plans a live conservatory. Dr. Neck recived his Ph.D. in zoology (ecological genetics) from the University of Texas in 1974. He is chairman of the Conservation Committee and editor of the newsletter for the American Malacological Union and is currently president of the Texas Organization for Endangered Species. TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 AN EARLY URBAN RECORD OF OPEAS PYRGULA IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS By Raymond W. Neck Although numerous records of introduced snails are known from the United States (Hanna, 1966; Dundee, 1974), malacologists seldom are able to determine the exact time of introduction. Populations of adventive species may exist and even thrive, for many years or decades before discovery by malacologists. Time of introduction of a particular population can be estimated by discussions with local residents, or occasionally, by examination of shells in dated collection lots. One other method, rarely utilized, involves the recovery of specimens from dated sediments. Shells presented to this author were recovered from a historical archeological site in San Antonio (41BX634). Shells were extracted from lot 1V-A-13 of the Vanderstratten Well. These specimens represent three adult shells of the Sharp awl snail, Opeas pyrgula, Schmacker and Boettger, 1891. This species is native to Japan and China (Pilsbry, 1946). The three Vanderstratten Well samples measure 5.95, 5.8, and 4.95 mm in height. Initial records of O. pyrgula from the United States (Pilsbry, 1946:183) were from decayed fence boards in Philadelphia in 1917 by E. G. Vanatta, under leaves in a park in Savannah, Georgia, in 1923 by James B. Clark, and Norfolk, Virginia, in 1944 by Leslie Hubricht. Dundee (1971) reported no additional localities. Subsequently, populations have been reported from Alabama (Hubricht, 1965), North Carolina (Hubricht, 1970), Maryland and District of Columbia (Grimm, 1971), Virginia (Hubricht, 1971; Beetle, 1973), Tennessee (Hubricht, 1973), and Texas (Fullington and Pratt, 1974). Dundee (1974) added localities in Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Texas records of Opeas pyrgula are very limited but very likely underrepresent the actual occurrence of established populations. The initial Texas record was from Houston in 1958 (McGee, 1965). Dundee (1974) reported a population in San Antonio based on a personal communication from Harold S. Finberg. Fullington and Pratt (1974) added Dallas, and Neck (1976, 1977) reported populations in Austin. Opeas pyrgula is a member of the family Subulinidae which naturally ranges through semitropical and tropical areas of the world (Pilsbry, 1946). Essentially nothing has been published concerning the ecology of O. pyrgqula, but some inferences may be drawn from observations on related species which have also become established at various localities in the United States. Karlin (1956) reported that greenhouse populations of Opeas pumilum (Pfeiffer, 1840) in New York 10 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 were larger in beds with corn cob mulch than in beds with manure or straw mulch and those with no mulch. This distribution pattern indicates a susceptibility to dessication. Dundee (1970) reported observations on another achatinid snail, Lamellaxis gracilis (Hutton, 1834) in New Orleans. This species requires cover and descends into the soil with the onset of cool weather with an air temperature of -5°C. Snails remained below the surface during rains in the cool season. Horizontal movement in lawn areas were usually restricted to a home range with a diameter of 3 meters. Snails were not observed to climb. Origin of North American populations of Opeas pyrgula undoubtedly involves transport in soil attached to roots of ornamental plants. Four species of Opeas (but not oO. Pyrgula) have been reported from European greenhouses (Meeuse and Hubert, 1949). Several of the introduced subulinid snails known from greenhouses in the northeastern United States are sufficiently common to damage petals of orchids and other flowers (Emerson and Jacobson, 1976:229). The origin of the San Antonio population of Opeas pyrula also probably involves ornamental plants. Level 1V-A-13 has been dated to the period between 1877 and 1897 by bottle remains in the deposit (Wayne Cox, personal communication). Levels 9, 10, and 11 (above 13) contained fragments of flower pots (W. L. McClure, in litt.). OO. pyrgula could have burrowed down into level 13 from upper levels, but the origin of this population probably still dates to the latest nineteenth or earliest twentieth century. The surface layers of the Vanderstratten Well have been dated about 1910 (Wayne Cox, personal communication). LITERATURE CITED Beetle, Dorothy E. 1973. A checklist of the land and freshwater mollusks of Virginia. Sterkiana 49:21-35. Dundee, Dee Saunders. 1970. Introduced Gulf Coast molluscs. Tulane Studies in Zoology and Botany 16: 101-1125. - 1971. Subulinids and veronicellids on the United States. The Biologist 53:128-132. - 1974. Catalog of introduced molluscs of eastern North America (North of Mexico). Sterkiana 55:1-37. 11 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 Emerson, William K. and Morris K. Jacobson. 1976. The American Museum of Natural History guide to shells. Land, freshwater, and marine, from Nova Scotia to Florida. Alfred A Knopof, New York, 482 pp. Fullington, Richard W. and William Lloyd Pratt, Jr. 1974. The Helicinidae, Carychiidae, Achatinidae, Bradybaenidae, Bulimulidae, Coinellidae, Haplotrematidae, Helicidae, Oreohelicidae, Spiraxidae, Streptaxidae, Strobilopsidae, Thysanophoridae, Valloniidae (Gastropoda) in Texas. Bulletin of the Dallas Museum of Natural History 1(3):1-48. Grimm, F. Wayne, 1971. Annotated checklist of the land snails of Maryland and District of Columbia. Sterkiana 435; Si-SPs Hanna, G. Dallas. 1966. Introduced mollusks of western North America. Occasional Papers of the California Academy of Sciences 48:1-108. Hubricht, Leslie. 1965. The land snails of Alabama. Sterkiana 17:1-5. - 1970. The land snails of North Carolina. Sterkiana. 39:11-15. - 1971. The land snails of Virginia. Sterkiana. 42:41-45. Karlin, Edward J. 1956. Notes on the ecology of Zonitoides arboreus (Say), Opeas pumilum (Pfeiffer), and Lamellaxis gracilis (Hutton) in greenhouses. American Midland Naturalist 55:121-125. McGee, Paul L. 1965. Distribution and ecology of the terrestrial mollusks of the Texas coastal counties. Master’s thesis, University of Houston, Houston, Texas. Neck, Raymond W. 1976. Preliminary checklist of land snails of Travis County. Pp. 124-129, in A bird finding and naturalist’s guide for the Austin, Texas, area. Edward A. Kutac and S. Christopher Caran. Oasis Press, Austin, Texas, 145 pp. - 1977. Introduced land snails of Travis County, Texas: Occurrence and success. The Nautilus 91:140-143. Pilsbry, Henry A. 1946. Land Mollusca of North America (North of Mexico). Volume II. Part 1. Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Monograph 3. 12 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 MONOGRAPH By H. ODE’ DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA IN THE NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO (A Continuing Monograph) Family TURRIDAE This enormous family is usually split into a great number of subfamilies, many of which are present in our material. In my opinion, it would be more practical to split this unwieldy complex into several separate families, even though at present, anatomical studies indicate fairly close relationships. Maes (1983) writes: "These intermediate foregut characters plus similarities of shells, digestive and reproductive systems support placement of all subfamilies from CLAVINAE to MANGELIINAE and RAPHITOMINAE in one family TURRIDAE." Thus, I shall use only one family, TURRIDAE, and I can only suggest that on the basis of shell characters, the status of family might be given to the MANGELIINAE and also to the DAPHINELLINAE. McLean in Keen (1971) lists about 300 species for this family in the Panamic faunal province, and I believe that at least 400 species can be found in the Carolinean and Caribbean region of the western Atlantic. Although great progress has been made in the understanding of this difficult group of gastropods, much more work is necessary. At present, because of the lack of clear and unambiguous literature, simple identification of turrids by a non-expert in a regional collection, such as the survey collection of the Northwest Gulf of Mexico, is practically impossible. There exists a great need for a survey of the Carolinean- Caribbean species of this family. In the enumeration of species which follows, I have stated which identifications are little better than guesswork. So far, the turrid fauna of the N.W. Gulf of Mexico has practically not been studied, and thus it is not surprising that several genera and many species are reported here for the first time. It is also probable that the entire tropical Atlantic of the North and South American continents harbours still many undescribed species. For instance, the quite restricted collection of turrids in the Houston Museum of Natural Science malacological collection (not the survey 13 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 collection) contains a species of Maesiella (from Aruba), a genus only known from the Panamic faunal province. It should be especially noted here that in the N. W. Gulf of Mexico, this family has a composition in full agreement with the trends already established in other families: there is a not inconsiderable number of elements derived from the Pliocene fauna of southern Florida; further, a number of species have close ties with the Panamic faunal province; lastly, only a limited number of species occurs at present in southern Florida. Thus, in retrospect. it is not difficult to understand that the identification of Texas material is beset with difficulties. Many of the Texas- Western Louisiana species are absent in Florida, and a much closer relationship exists with the so-called "Miocene" fauna of Jamaica, which is probably of much younger age (Pleistocene?). In particular, the work of Woodring (1928) is of value in identifying our material. Reported here are the following subfamilies and genera: COCHLESPIRINAE with Cochlespira, Pyrgospira, Leucosyrinx TURRINAE with Glemmula, Polystira BORSONIINAE with Microdrillia MITROLUMNINAE with Mitrolumna CLAVINAE with Bellaspira, Inodrillia, Splendrillia, Drillia, Cymatosyrinx, Cerodrillia, Leptadrillia and Neodrillia CRASSISPIRINAE with Hindsiclava, Sedilia, Crassispira, Lioglyphostoma, Bathytoma ZONULISPIRINAE with Compsodrillia CLATHURELLINAE with Glyphostoma, Nannodiella MANGELIINAE with Mangelia, Agathotoma, Bactrocythara, Platycythara, Thelecythara, Pyrgocythara, Tenaturris, Brachycythara, Glyphoturris, Cryoturris, Kurtziella, Kurtzina, Kurtzia, Ithycythara, Rubellatoma, Oenopota, Propebela DAPHNELLINAE with Veprecula, Daphnella, Eucyclotoma, Pleurotomella. Subfamily COCHLESPIRINAE Powell, 1942 Medium-sized gastropods with siphonal canal. Operculum with mostly a terminal nucleus. This group used to be called TURRICULINAE but that appears to be an invalid name. (See Maes, 1983). Vol. 69, 261 pp. 14 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 Genus Cochlespira Conrad, 1865 Immediately recognisable by the outspoken, spiny carina on the upper part of the whorl. Ancistrosyrinx Dall, 1881 is a later name. 372. Cochlespira radiata (Dall, 1889) Fairly widespread over the Texas-Louisiana shelf area. Mostly on sandy bottoms. Most of our material is rather immature (<10 mm), but the species can reach a size of one inch. Also in the mudlump fauna and the shale domes (Stetson Bank and Claypile). (One location is abnormal: once dredged in Timbalier Bay, probably from an old mudlump). Records HMNS survey collection: 12 lots, no live-collected material. Depth range: 15-55 fms. Geographical range: "Off North Carolina to Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and the West Indies" (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 25 mn. Genus Leucosyrinx Dall, 1889 Slender, fusiform shells with small nucleus of about two whorls. Ornamentation of axial nodes on the periphery and spiral chords below. 373. Leucosyrinx sp. indet. A A single dead shell of an unidentified species was obtained at station 1362 (150 fms). It has all the characters of the genus and our specimen resembles L. Sigsbei Dall, but is more slender. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot, no live-collected material. Depth range: known only at 150 fms. Geographical range: unknown. Maximum size: 16 mn. Genus Pyrgospira McLean, 1971 Medium-sized Drillia-like gastropods which used to be placed in the subfamily CRASSISPIRINAE, but which, on the basis of their radula, must be assigned to the TURRICULINAE. 374. Pyrgospira ostrearum (Stearns, 1872) This rather common species is not rare in the Texas offshore dredge samples and a few beach rolled specimens have been taken on several of the bayshores near Port Aransas; those specimens are _ probably 15 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 Pleistocene fossils. Most Texas material looks old and is fragmentary, but some live-collected material is present (Stetson Banks 20-30 fms., and at several fms off the Freeport jetties). As with many of the larger turrids, often the outer lip has been cracked and is repaired, leaving strong irregularities in the surface sculpture. Most of our lots have been collected offshore Freeport and Galveston on shelly, sandy bottoms. Rare in the mudlump fauna and the shale domes (Stetson Bank, Claypile). Records HMNS survey collection: 28 lots of which 2. contain live-collected material. Depth range: 8-70 fms.; alive, 8-30 fms. Geographical range:"North Carolina to south half of Florida, Cuba" (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 27 mm., but most specimens are about 2 cm in length. 375. Pyrgospira sp. indet. A The only lot consisting of a single specimen from off the Texas coast at Heald Bank differs in several respects from the common and widespread P. ostrearum. Although its shape clearly indicates it to be a Pyrgospira, its spiral sculpture is much more subdued than in P. ostrearum. Also its nucleus is’ much coarser. Both ostrearum and P. sp. indet. A have smooth, two whorled nuclei, but that of ostrearum is much finer and much more pointed than that of P. sp. indet. A whose nucleus is rather broad and blunt. Finally, the colors of these two species are rather different. Most specimens of ostrearum are covered by a light-colored, olive-green epidermis (only a few lots contain some light reddish brown specimens). The specimen of P. sp. indet. A is dark, reddish brown and especially on later whorls the interspaces between the radial riblets are lighter in color. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot, probably live- collected. Depth range: 12 fms. Geographical range: unknown. Maximum size: 21.5 mn. Subfamily TURRINAE Rather slender, often large, fusiform shells, mainly separated on a radular basis. 16 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 Genus Gemmula Weinkauff, 1875 Rather solid shells with one or two beaded carinae. 376. Gemmula c.f. periscelida (Dall, 1889) Not more than a single fragment of this characteristic species is present in the collection. More complete material must be obtained before this species can be safely considered to be part of the fauna of the N. W. Gulf of Mexico. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot, no _ live-collected material. Depth range: 70 fms, off Port Aransas, Texas. Maximum size: not measured. Genus Polystira Woodring, 1928 Large, solid fusiform shells, with strong, spiral sculpture. Nucleus rather strong, but only two whorls. 377. Polystira albida (Perry, 1811) This is one of the most common larger gastropods in the N. W. Gulf of Mexico where it can reach a size of well over 4 inches. It lives in countless populations off the entire coast of Texas and western Louisiana and is especially common in the offshore waters off Galveston and Freeport. Many specimens have strongly irregular and repaired outer lips, suggesting that the species is a food for crustaceans. The species prefers sandy to slightly muddy bottoms but avoids calcareous environments. Not on the calcareous banks, and Vokes and Vokes, 1983 do not list it from the Yucatan platforn. It is found only sparingly on Stetson and Claypile Banks and is uncommon in the mudlump fauna. Once a dead specimen was obtained from Shamrock Island in Aransas Bay. In P. albida there is a strong spiral on the periphery which at the outer lip ends in a deep notch. P. tellea is a closely-related species which differs in some relatively minor respects (surface sculpture, more slender canal and a very different shape of the "turrid" notch). Two species named by Bartsch; P. florencae and P. macra are possibly merely immature forms of P. albida. P. florencae is said to have brown clouding. Many immature specimens in our material of P. albida have such coloration, either brownish flecks or a white band on the main spiral against a light brown background. The latter has recently been named P. sunderlandi by Petuch (1987), but as far as I can see, there appears no reason to split such specimens off as a separate 17 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 species. In fact, immature specimens of P. albida in many of our lots show slightly brown coloration. Very small juvenile material of only a few millimeters in size is rare. In the past, I have confused this with material of Microdrillia, which is quite different (see figure 1). Records HMNS survey collection: 69 lots, of which 36 contain live-collected material. Depth range: 12-140 fms; 3 lots from 51, 75 and 140 fms came from off the Mississippi delta and probably represent displaced material; alive 12-43 fms. Geographical range: "Southern Florida to Texas and the West Indies." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 107 mm. (Alive, off from Galveston) 378. Polystira tellea (Dall, 1889) This much less common species lives in deeper water than P. albida. It was described as a "variety" of albida and is, when larger than 1 1/2 - 2 inches, easily separable from P. albida. When quite small, both species are rather close and often cannot be told apart. In the survey collection is one lot in which all the mature specimens are clearly tellea, but the juveniles have some characteristics of P. albida, especially the rather deep notch, and cannot be separated from similar juveniles of albida. Apparently the different shape of the notch of tellea develops only during the later growth stages. Records HMNS survey collection: 9 lots, all obtained along the Texas coast (Port Aransas - Sabine Pass). Depth range: 50-140 fms.; alive 50 fms. Geographical range: " Off Florida to Louisiana." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 71 mn. Subfamily BORSONIINAE Bellardi, 1875 A group of fusiform to biconic gastropods, characterized by the radula. In our area, only a single species. Genus Microdrillia Casey, 1903. Small, slender gastropods somewhat resembling the odostonicid genus’ Boonea. Strong spiral chords and in between much less developed radials. Nucleus 4-5 whorls, the first two smooth, the later ones radially ribbed. McLean (in Keen, 1971) states that the assignment of this genus to the BORSONIINAE is tentative. 18 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 379. Microdrillia comatotropis (Dall, 1881) Originally, I mistook the material of this species for small juveniles of P. albida (Tex Conch., vol.9), but those are considerably different. Sketches of both species, prepared to the same scale, are shown in figure 1. The nucleus of Microdrillia is much smaller than that of Polystira and the pattern of the spiral sculpture is very different. On the inner side of the outer lip there are, in several of our specimens, short spiral plicae. The species occurs with Polystira along the Texas and Louisiana coast, mostly on sandy, shelly bottoms - also on Stetson Bank and in the mudlump fauna. (McLean (in Keen, 1971) cites two species for the Panamic faunal province, which are very close, if not the same as our _ species. Much of our material resembles M. tersa Woodring, 1928 from the "Miocene" of Jamaica (probably Pleistocene) very closely.) Records HMNS survey collection: 11 lots, no live material. Depth range: 24-75 fms. Geographical range: "Off west Florida, 26-100 fms." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 5.4 mm. Subfamily MITROLUMNINAE J.H. McLean, 1971 Rather small shells with axial and spiral sculpture of about equal strength. In our area only a single small species in the genus Mitrolumna. Genus Mitrolumna Bucquoy, Dautzenberg and Dollfus, 1882 Small mitra-like shells with two well formed columellar plications. 380. Mitrolumna biplicata (Dall, 1889) A single specimen of a small gastropod is undoubtedly this species. It was obtained at 55 fms. off Cameron LA. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot, no live material. Depth range: 55 fms. Geographical range: "Bermuda, both sides of Florida to Barbados." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 4.0 mn. Subfamily CLAVINAE Powell, 1942 A large subfamily of difficult to identify species, mainly because no systematic treatment of Western Atlantic species 19 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 is available. Especially the characterisation of the various genera in this subfamily needs to be clarified. Figures are often of poor quality, even enlarged photographs, because many species are shiny and at the same time colorless, so that the photographs taken without special precautions and treatment of the shell often become somewhat washed out in reproduction. Shells of this subfamily are of small to moderate size; most are slender and often the surface is smooth and shiny. Strong sculpture, however, is sometimes present. There is a posterior sinus and the radula is distinctive for this group. The protoconch consists of 1 1/2-3 whorls, often smooth. In our area there are many genera. Genus Bellaspira Conrad, 1868 Nucleus formed by two smooth whorls. Axial riblets line up below each other and are crossed by fine spiral lines. The two Texas species can easily be confused with species of Ithycythara because of the concave-sided axial riblets. 381. Bellaspira c.f. margaritensis McLean and Poorman, 1970 The identification of this species, the most widespread of the two Texas species, is tentative. It could be an undescribed species and comparison with the type material of B. margaritensis is necessary. I previously reported it (Tex. Conchol. vol.9) as an Ithycythara, which it resembles. However, its nucleus is different and also the spiral grooving is more irregular than in that genus. Characteristic for Bellaspira is the sinus and the parietal lip. In this species the riblets run from suture to suture, which is not the case in the next species. A few small specimens could be B. pentagonalis Dall, 1889, which is known from Florida, but I believe they are slightly abnormal specimens of B. margaritensis. The species has been obtained off Galveston-Freeport and the Louisiana coast. Also on Stetson Bank and in the mudlump fauna. Records HMNS survey collection: 14 lots, no live material. Depth range: 12-67 fms. ' Geographical range: “Isla Margarita, Venezuela" (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 17.6 mn. 20 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 382. Bellaspira c.f. brunnescens (Rehder, 1939) This fairly large species is present in two lots. The available specimens are probably immature. They differ from the previous species in two respects: 1) the spiral grooving is much more strongly developed and 2) the riblets are more knobby and do not run from suture to suture. One lot comes from Stetson Bank, the other from the Flower Gardens. Records HMNS survey collection: 2 lots, no live material. Depth range: 12-15 fms. Geographical range: "Cuba" (Abbott, 1974). Genus Indodrillia Bartsch, 1943 I cannot find a satisfactory characterisation of this genus. They are apparently medium-sized drillias with curved axial ribs, a short siphonal canal and a deep sinus, somewhat tubular. The only specimen in the survey collection, with a well preserved nucleus, shows a nucleus close to that of the genus Sedilia, somewhat turbinate, with a strongly ribbed second whorl. Dall, in his description of Drillia aepynota states only: inflated nucleus and Abbott (1974) does not describe the nucleus. 383. Indodrillia c.f. nucleata (Dall, 1881) Only two specimens are in the survey collection, which we, with some hesitation, identified as this species. They were obtained off the Mississippi delta in very deep water. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot, no live material. Depth range: 235 fms. Geographical range: "Gulf of Mexico to the Lesser Antilles, 239 to 264 fms." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 21 mn. 384. Indodrillia c.f. aepynota (Dall, 1889) Only a single specimen of this rather coarse species was obtained. It is partly covered by calcareous growth and comes from a depth of 76 fms off Port Aransas, Texas. Its nucleus appears rather blunt, but unfortunately is strongly corroded. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot, no live material. Depth range: 76 fms. Geographical range: "North Carolina to southeast FLorida." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 15.7 mm. 21 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 Genus Splendrillia Hedley, 1922 Rather slender, small to medium-sized turrids, often colorless and shiny, mostly only with radial riblets. Nucleus small, formed by two smooth rather glassy whorls, often colored somewhat reddish. Our species belong in the subgenera Syntomodrillia Woodring, 1928 and Fenimorea Bartsch, 1934. The latter is often considered to be a full genus. 385. Splendrillia (Syntomodrillia) woodringi (Bartsch, 1934) This somewhat unusual species shows clear. spiral sculpture, which is continuous over the radial riblets. There is a deep sinus. One lot comes from the mudlump fauna, the others from off Texas in fairly deep water. Several years ago, Virginia Maes identified some material sent to her by the Bureau of Economic Geology at Austin as this species. Records HMNS survey collection: 9 lots, no live material. Depth range: 50-75 fms. Geographical range: "Off the west coast of Florida, 20 to 50 fms, to Barbados, 103 fms" (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 12.1 mn. 386. Splendrillia (Syntomodrillia) sp. indet. A This is ths smallest Drillia in our area and probably in the western Atlantic. The nucleus consists of about 3 smooth whorls, slightly turbinate in form and sits, more or less, as a stylus on top of the teleoconch. There are about 3 whorls in this possibly full-grown material which are adorned by inclined riblets. The columella is slightly curved and forms a low ridge in front of a somewhat depressed "umbilical" area. of course, there is no umbilicus. In between the riblets there are unclear spiral grooves. I have prepared a sketch of this probably undescribed species. Records HMNS survey collection: 4 lots, all from the coral reefs (Parker Bank, 36 fms.) and the West Flower Gardens (12-15 fms.). Depth range: 10-36 fms. Some material from the Flower Garden may have been live-collected. Geographic range: unknown Maximum size: 2.5 mn. 387. Splendrillia (Fenimorea) moseri (Dall, 1889) This is the common and widespread spirally grooved Drillia of the Texas coast. A good figure of it can be found in Vokes and Vokes (1983, pl.21, fig.15). It also occurs in the Pliocene of southern Florida (Fargo, in 22 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 Olsson & Harbison, 1953, p.369). TE'.iesr GREficult to find in the literature a clear definition of such catagories as Splendrillia, Cymatosyrinx, Leptadrillia, Fenimorea, etc.. Abbott (1974) describes Cymatosyrinx as: ...outer lip with distinct stromboid notch. Sinus deep, u-shaped, bounded by a thick parietal pad. Second nuclear whorl with a peripheral carina." Except for the last character (carina) all others are present in Splendrillia moseri, which is placed here and by most authors in Fenimorea. Others, however, relate it to Syntomodrillia. Records HMNS survey collection: 25 lots, no live material. Depth range: 8-60 fms. Geographical range: "North Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico, 3-49 fms., to Barbados." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 15.5 mm. 388. Splendrillia (Fenimorea) janetae Bartsch, 1934 A single large specimen, somewhat rolled, and a few juvenile shells were obtained from slightly deeper water of Texas in calcareous environment (18 fm lump and Flower Gardens). The large specimen is a rather smooth shell with some bryozoan growth on it, with a well defined color band around the whorls. Beas possible that an earlier name for this species is Pleurotoma augustae C. B. Adams, 1850. See plate 30, fig.1 in cClench and Turner, 1950. This figure represents a somewhat rolled specimen from Jamaica. In the past, synonymy of augustae with Drillia couinata has been suggested (Krebs, 1866), but I believe that is incorrect. I am not convinced that S. janetae and S. halidorema Schwengel are different species. Recoreds HMNS survey collection: 4 lots, mostly juveniles, no live material. Depth range: 30-50 fms. Geographical range: "Gulf of Mexico 60-70 fms., West Indies." (Abbott. 1974). Maximum size: 19mn. Genus Drillia Gray, 1838 Rather good-sized turrids with clear axial ribs and often somewhat weaker spirals. Nucleus smooth. In our area there is only a single member of the subgenus Clathrodrillia Dall, 1918, a group which has spiral and radial sculpture of about equal strength. 389. Drillia (Clathrodrillia) sp. indet. A Only a few lots of a rather large species must be placed in this genus but for the time being I cannot 23 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 identify them further. Most are rather well developed sturdy specimens, heavier and larger than the more Slender S. moseri. The structure of the aperture develops quite late. In one large specimen, the parietal pad on the previous winding is still not developed while in other smaller specimens this pad and the lip are strongly developed. This pad forms only after a large inflated outer lip has been completed. Fresh material comes from off Port Isabel, Texas. Also in the mudlump fauna. Records HMNS survey collection: 3 lots, of which one was possibly collected alive. Depth range: 30-55 fms; possibly alive: 30-38 fms, off Port Isabel. Geographical range: unknown Maximum size: 27 mm Genus Cymatosyrinx Dall, 1889 Abbott (1974) includes in this genus of rather high-spired shells with somewhat truncated body whorls as_ subgenus Leptadrillia Woodring, 1928. The latter, however, has a different protoconch and will be treated here as a full genus. 390. Cymatosyrinx c.f. centimata Dall, 1889 Only a single lot of this deep water species is in the survey collection. The species can be recognized by the strongly knobby and short ribs. It was obtained at 110 fms off Texas. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot, containing one live juvenile specimen. Depth range: 110 fms. Geographical range: "Off North Carolina to Gulf of Mexico, 731 to 1920 fms" (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 5.0 mn. Genus Neodrillia Bartsch, 1943. Elongate, conic, spirally striated shells with rather bulbous axials. 391. Neodrillia cydia Bartsch, 1943 Only two lots of this species are in the survey collection, both from Shale Domes (Stetson Bank and Claypile), and none were obtained from calcareous reefs. In our material, all old, the color spots at the base of the ribs are practically obliterated. 24 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 Records HMNS survey collection: 2 lots, no live material. Depth range: 17-25 fms. Geographical range: "Both sides of Florida and the West Indies" (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 13 mm. Genus Cerodrillia Bartsch and Rehder, 1939 Solid, small drillias, often solidly reddish brown in color. There are a number of subgenera of unclear limits. 392. Cerodrillia clappi Bartsch and Rehder, 1939 This is one of the common, smaller drillias of the Texas and Louisiana coasts in offshore waters, mainly on sand bottoms. It has also been taken on Stetson and Sonnier Bank, and it is rare in the mudlump fauna. The nucleus is formed by three smooth and shiny whorls. Its color pattern consists of a whithish band around the periphery on a light orange brown background. In very fresh material there is just above the whitish band a series of darker brown dots on the side of the somewhat s-curved riblets. It is possible, as Abbott (1974) states, that this is merely a form of C. perryae. Much of our material resembles the figure of C. perryae on plate 38 in Perry and Schwengel (1955) (fig. 260A) better than the figure of C. clappi (fig. 260). Records HMNS survey collection: 16 lots of which 2 contain live material. Depth range: 10-40 fms.; alive, 10-20 fms. (Sonnier Bank and Stetson Bank). Geographical range: "Lower Floria Keys" (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 8.0 mn. 393. Cerodrillia (Lissodrillia) simptoni (Dall, 1887) The identification of this and the next species remains somewhat uncertain. Originally, I had this material labelled Leptadrillia; indeed the differences in shell characters between Leptadrillia and Lissodrillia are not very clear. In general, Lissodrillia the nucleus is larger then in Leptodrillia, and the siphonal canal shorter and wider. This is a fairly straight-sided species which in color and depth of suture differs from the next one. C. simptoni has the deeper suture and its color is almost always pure white. Obtained from deeper sand bottoms both off Texas and Louisiana and also common in the mudlump fauna. 25 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 Records HMNS survey collection: 16 lots, of which two contain rather fresh material. Depth range: 50-85 fms. Geographical range: "North Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico, 15 to 18 fms, common" (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 7.6 mm. 394. Cerodrillia (Lissodrillia) schroederi Bartsch and Rehder, 1939 This species, closely related to the previous one, is somewhat smaller; its ribs are less pronounced and its color, when fresh, is uniform pink. This species has been taken in shallower water than the previous one, both off the Texas and Louisiana coasts. Also on Stetson Bank. Records HMNS survey collection: 11 lots of which 1 contains live-collected material. Depth range: 11-55 fms., alive: 30 fms. Geographical range: "Off west Florida: 40-60 fms." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 7.1 mn. Genus Leptadrillia Woodring, 1928 Abbott considers this a subgenus of Cymatosyrinx Dall, 1889, but several of the characters cited for that genus do not apply to Leptadrillia. In particular, the nucleus is not carinate and consists of two rather smooth and glassy whorls. Axial scupture only. I consider Leptodrillia here as a full genus. In the N.W. Gulf of Mexico this is a very difficult group with several species of uncertain status. 395. Leptadrillia cookei (E. A. Smith, 1888) This is an earlier name for the better known L. splendida Bartsch (See de Jong and Coomans, 1988), which is, with Splendrillia moseri, the most widespread Drillia of the Texas-Louisiana shelf area. TE is a rather small, slender shell of uniform color, often slightly pink. Sometimes the apex is of a somewhat deeper color. It is a rather straight shell, whose only adornments are somewhat oblique riblets, which are slightly fatter on their lower half than on the upper half, which appears to give many specimens somewhat pear-shaped whorls. The nucleus is, even for a Drillia, rather small. In many specimens it has hardly 1 1/2 whorls and in some instances these are somewhat flattened. The survey material contains quite variable material. In particular, the depth of the suture appears so. It is possible that more than one species is invloved in 26 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 this material. More plausible, however, is the supposition that the depth of the suture varies with the depth at which the population lives. The deeper populations have the more inflated whorls. Records HMNS survey collection: 24 lots, of which two contain live-collected material. Depth range: 20-76 fms. (mostly below 40 fms.); alive: 55-76 fms. Geographical range: "Gulf of Mexico, off Florida, to the Greater Antilles, 50 to 230 fms." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 11.6 mm., but mostly below 1 gc. 396. Leptadrillia sp. indet. A This species has a color band just below the suture. The lengthwise outline of this species is slightly concave. There are few radial riblets and in between them, near the suture, are brown color spots forming a subsutural band. The only specimens obtained come from off Louisiana and from the mudlump fauna. Records HMNS survey collection: 2 lots, no live material. Depth range: 55 fms. Geographical range: unknown. Maximum size: 13.0 mn. 397. Leptadrillia sp. indet. B There are only two lots of a color banded species in the survey collection. Two brown bands encircle the whorls, one at the periphery, and a weaker one below it which can only be seen on the last whorl. The suture is whitish. This shell is rather conical with a quite shallow suture. Only off Louisiana. Records HMNS survey collection: 2 lots, no live material. Depth range: 55 fms. Geographical range: unknown. Maximum size: 13.0 mm. Subfamily CRASSISPIRINAE Slender, turreted shells which differ from those in the subfamily ZONULISPIRINAE mainly by differences in radular structure. On the basis of shell characters, it would be difficult to distinguish both subfamilies. Genus Hindsiclava Hertlein and Strong, 1955 High-spired with greenish periostracum and long tapering Siphonal canal. 27 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 397. Hindsiclava alesidota (Dall, 1889) Only a single, not quite fully grown specimen, of this elegant species is in the survey collection. It is a very slender shell of which a figure is given in Sutty, (1986), fig.84, p.77. The color of our specimen is not reddish but a grayish olive green and it appears somewhat more slender than the above cited figure. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot of only a single specimen, probably collected alive. Depth range: 140 fms., off Louisiana. Geographical range: "Off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to both sides of Florida to Barbados, 27-75 fms." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 25.3 mn. Genus Sedilia Fargo, 1953 It is interesting to find in our material two lots of this Pliocene genus, which can be immediately recognized by its blunt dome-shaped apex of about 2 1/2 whorls. The last one of these is sculptured by stout riblets. Several of these nuclei are shown on plates 17 and 18 in monograph 8 of the Acad. Nat. Sci. (1953), describing the Pliocene fauna of south Florida. 398. Sedilia c.f. sedilia (Dall, 1890) Two lots of this, or some very closely related forn, are in the survey collection. One lot comes from the mudlump fauna, the other from a depth of 40 fms. off Port Aransas, Texas. They are rather inelegant shells, deeply sutured, all having the typical nucleus of Sedilia. Records HMNS survey collection: 2 lots, no live material. Depth range: 40 fms. Geographocal range: only known from the Pliocene of south Florida. Maximu size: 12.1 mn. Genus Crassispira Swainson, 1840 Rather solid, fusiform gastropods characterized by a strong subsutural fold. Sinus well formed, outer lip with a weak stromboid notch. Most species have a well-developed surface sculpture. A number of subgenera are in use, several of which are present in our material. They differ mostly in minor details. 28 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 399. Crassispira (Glossispira) c.f. harfordiana (Reeve, 1843) With some hesitation, I have given this label to three lots of a large Monilispira-like shell. Already Dall had, in 1889, identified some Gulf of Mexico material (listed under Texas) with this name. The origin of that material is unknown. Later, Vokes and Vokes (1983) reported this species from shallow water of the Yucatan platfrom. McLean (in Keen, 1971) reports it for the Panamic faunal province. The description by McLean (in Keen, 1971) fits our material rather well, but our specimens are slightly more slender than his figure (# 1677). Their color is dark brown (as required by McLean’s key on p.714) instead of dark gray as stated in the species description. The color pattern shows indeed "small spots of white at the upper ends of the axial ribs and white blotching on the shoulder." Records HMNS survey collection: 3 lots, no live material. Depth range: 24-36 fms. Geographical range: Yucatan (Vokes and_ Vokes, 1983); Pananmic province (McLean, in Keen, 1971). Maximum size: 25 mn. 400. Crassispira (Monilispira) monilis Bartsch and Rehder, 1939 This is not a rare species along the Texas coast. It has been taken in several habitats: the offshore coral reefs (rare), the Pleistocene "rocks" off Freeport, shelly bottoms and Heald Bank. Once a live specimen was taken below low water mark on the Port Isabel jetty and another dead specimen from beachdrift at San Luis Pass, Galveston. Our material of this small species conforms rather well with the description in Perry and Schwengel (1955), p. 183. Related are C. albocinata C. B. Adams, which has been reported by Maes for Texas and C. albomaculata C. B. Adams, cited by Abbott for Texas. Records HMNS survey collection: 20 lots, of which 10 contain live-collected material. Depth range: 0-20 fms; alive: 1-11 fms. Geographical range: "West coast of Florida, uncommon" (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 13.1 mn. 401. Crassispira (Crassispirella) c.f. tampaensis Bartsch and Rehder, 1939 Abbott (1974) cites this species both under Pyrgospira and under Crassispirella. I have placed it here with Crassispirella. In the N. W. Gulf of Mexico its 29 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 coloration is quite different from that of P. ostrearum, its apex is considerably more blunt and in general is not as slender and its surface sculpture is different. However, until a consistent account of all Gulf of Mexico crassispirellas is given, I can only guess at the identity of our material. This varies in color between reddish brown to dark, almost black. Also, it seems quite variable in shape. It corresponds best with the figure of tampaensis in Vokes and Vokes (1983). Records HMNS survey collection: 5 lots, no live material. Depth range: 9-40 fms. Geographical range: "West Florida" (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 17.6 mn. 402. Crassispira (Crassispirella) c.f. polytorta Dall, 1881 Only a single lot was obtained in 70 fms. off the Texas coast. This shows an immature Crassispirella with very tabulated whorls. The radial riblets are slightly inclined and form somewhat knobby prominences at their top. More material of this deep water species is required before this uncertain identification can be trusted. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot, no live material. Depth range: 70 fms. Geographical range: "Gulf of Mexico and off Cuba; 413 fms., 33 mm" (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 11.5 mn. 403. Crassispira (Crassispirella) sp. inet. A This is another deep water species, very slender with somewhat inclined radial riblets and a rather elongated Siphonal canal. The subsutural ridge is broad and rather uneven. Records HMNS survey collection: 2 lots, no live-collected material, one from off Texas and the other from the mudlump fauna. Depth range: 50 fms. Geographical range: unknown. Maximum size: 19.7 mn. 404. Crassispira (Crassispirella) sp. indet. B Two lots of still another species must be listed here. Both have strong spiral sculpture and rather inclined radial ribs. Unfortunately, this material is rather incomplete and more must be collected before an identification can be made. 30 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 Records HMNS survey collection: 2 lots, no live material. Depth range: 60-70 fms., off the Texas coast. Geographical range: unknown. Maximum size: not measured. Genus Buchema Corea, 1934 Slender, rather tabulated crassispiras. 405. Buchema sp. indet. A A single lot of rather poor specimens may belong to this genus. They were obtained on Stetson Bank and more material must be obtained before my guess can be verified. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot, no live material. Depth range: + 20 fms. Geographical range: unknown. Maximum size: if complete, in excess of 1 cm. Genus Lioglyphostoma Woodring, 1928 In both Olsson and Harbison (1953) and Rios (1985) this genus is placed close to Nannodiella. However, I believe, that McLean (in Keen, 1971) is correct in placing it in the CRASSISPIRINAE and not in the CLATHURELLINAE. The small shells of this genus are, in shell characters, between Crassispira and Glyphostoma; the latter is in the CLATHURELLINAE. However, its radula and operculum are quite different from Glyphostoma. 406. Lioglyphostoma c.f. adematum Woodring, 1928 This is the type of the genus. The rather meager description in Rios (1985) fits our material well. On the basis of shell characters, I would place this species in the CRASSISPIRINAE. The widespread occurence of this species along the Texas coast on sandy bottoms is rather surprising, for, to my knowledge, no mention is made of the species in almost all American literature on recent fauna. There cannot be any doubt that this variable species is closely related to the other two species of this genus in our area. With those there are essentially only some minor differences. From L. woodringi Fargo it differs in having the subsutural band quite smooth and not being spirally grooved. From the other it differs by the lack of color pattern, being less slender and with rougher sculpture. The variability of adematum resides essentially in the "knobbiness" of the whorls. In some, these radially BS TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 arranged bumps are quite well developed; in others, the whorls are almost smooth. When fully mature, this species develops a strong varix on the outer lip and continues the outer lip beyond it. The varix reaches all the way from the previous whorl where it encircles the notch, to the siphonal canal. When immature, before this varix is complete, specimens look similar to the figures 6 and 7 on plate 21 in Olsson and Harbison, 1921. Most lots come from sandy bottoms off the Texas coast; also on Stetson Bank and Sonnier Bank and in the mudlump fauna. Records HMNS survey collection: 22 lots, no live material. Depth range: 15-70 fms. Geographical range: "Florida, West Indies, Brazil." (Rios, 1985). Maximum size: 7.0 mm. 407. Lioglyphostoma woodringi Fargo, 1953 One lot from Stetson Bank and another from offshore western Louisiana are here assigned to this species. It is much smaller than L. adematum and also the spiral sculpture is different (only 3 spirals per whorl, whereas adematum has 4-6). The radially arranged "ribs" are not as inclined as in adematum and in general, the specimen looks quite different from the previous one. The nucleus consists of about 3 whorls, the last one of which is carinated. In shape, this shell is more regularly conical than adematum. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot (from Stetson Bank), no live material. Depth range: + 25 fms. Geographical range: Only known from the Pliocene of southern Florida. Maximum size: 7.0 mn. 408. Lioglyphostoma c.f. jousseamii (Dautzenberg, 1900) A third species of this genus has a pale brown color with some white banding around the periphery. It may be this species described from the north coast of South America. The species is more spindle-shaped than L. adematum Woodring and more regularly sculptured. The species of the genus have to be reviewed properly before my identification can be trusted. Records HMNS survey collection: 3 lots, no live material. Depth range: 26-40 fms. off Texas. Also Stetson Bank. Geographical range: "Columbia to north Brazil." (Rios, 1985). Maximum size: 16.0 mn. 32 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 Genus Brachytoma Swainson, 1840 Somewhat elongate slender shells with u-shaped sinus and deep stromboid notch. The sculpture consists of reclining short axials crossed by thin spirals. 409. Brachytoma sp. indet. A With great hesitation, I have assigned two lots to this genus. Up till now, no species of this genus are known in the Gulf of Mexico. This species has slender, tabulated whorls and resembles the only species figured in Rios, 1985 (plate 47, #624) closely, but is not the same. Records HMNS survey collection: 2 lots, no live material. Depth range: 50-70 fms. Geographical range: unknown. Maximum size: 23 mn. Subfamily DOMILISPIRINAE Only a single genus in the N. W. Gulf of Mexico. Members of this group differ mainly in the anatomy of their soft parts from the CRASSISPIRINAE. Genus Comptodrillia Woodring, 1928. Slender, turreted shells of moderate size with strong sculpture. 410. Comptodrillia c.f. acestra (Dall, 1889) This is a slender species which resembles the closely related C. haliotrephis (note: Dall made an error in spelling haliostrephis because the Greek adjective is without an s in the middle. It means fed in (or by) the sea). The radial riblets are developed to varying degree. The nucleus is small and smooth, without a keel. It does not live on offshore sand bottoms, but has been collected on some of the offshore banks (Hospital Rock, Stetson Bank) and off the Louisiana coast (Cameron and the Mississippi delta). Also in the mudlump fauna. Records HMNS survey collection: 5 lots, no live material. Depth range: 30-51 fms. Geographical range: "Florida Straits, 400 fms. (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 13.5 mn. 33 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 411. Comptodrillia c.f. tristicha (Dall,1889) A single specimen of this very slender species was collected in very fresh condition. It still has a thin horn-colored epidermis. The nucleus is very small. More material is needed to confirm this’ rather uncertain identification based on the fact that there are three main spirals on the whorl and in between, a number of very minor small ones. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot, collected in very fresh condition off Southwest Pass, Mississippi delta. Depth range: 70 fms. Geographical range: "Off Mississippi, 111-210 fms., southwest Florida, 100 fms." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 23 mn. a Fig. 1 A. Microdrillia Fig. 1 B. Polystira Pre 2’. sp. indet. A 34 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 HOUSTON CONCHOLOGY SOCIETY by Sandy Clark AUGUST MEETING Darwin Alder and Leslie Crnkovic treated us to = an interesting and lovely display of shells collected by various methods and both gave in-depth, lively talks about these various methods of shell collecting. During Darwin’s numerous trips to the Florida shores, he has cultivated four types of collecting: replenishment beaches (where eroded beaches are replenished with deep-water sand), lobster traps, scallop dumps and driftline (sometimes also called "grunge"). His anecdotes were highly amusing and the advice for collecting, invaluable. As a matter of fact, I took a sack of drift home and compulsively spent the entire next day sorting out the "treasures". An article may ensue if I can untangle the myriad species of Epitonium. Leslie’s talk was most informative; not being a diver myself everything was new. The areas he collected in were off the coast of Honduras. He described habitats and the types of species found in each one. He also gave a detailed list of necessities for diving and collecting equipment. The slides he presented were of superb quality and we all enjoyed looking at the gorgeous shells. He, however, did not sell me on taking up diving. We’ll let the younger, more adventuresome ones of us take care of that type of shell collecting. 35 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 HCS TO PROVIDE STUDENT AWARD OF $500 IN 1992 The Houston Conchology Society has announced that it will provide an award of $500 for the best student paper on the Mollusca of Texas for the year 1991-92. The paper may deal with systematics, ecology, distribution, life history, behavior, anatomy or similar subjects. The student may be a graduate or undergraduate and must be the sole or senior author of the paper. Date of graduation must not precede December, 1991. The paper and a one paragraph "Life" of the author (age, where born, schooling, present position, etc.) should be submitted to the President of the Houston Conchology Society by April 1, 1991. Her address is: Ms. Mary Martin President, Houston Conchology Society 9005-A Imogene Houston, Texas 77036 The paper will be judged by a committee, and the winner will be announced at the annual banquet in May, 1992. The student will be notified in writing. If the manuscript has not already been accepted by another publication, the student will be given the option to have it appear in the Texas Conchologist. Please notify any students who are interested in the Mollusca of this opportunity, and please post this notice on appropriate campus bulletin boards. The following form or facsimile should accompany the paper. HOUSTON CONCHOLOGY STUDENT PAPER, 1992 STUDENT NAME: COAUTHORS : SCHOOL: ADVISOR OR MAJOR PROF: PHONE ___- STUDENT ADDRESS: DAY TIME PHONE: = NIGHT PHONE: anus ern ©,” «0M DATE OF GRADUATION: PRE Pe ererenncen tae eee 1 pate of Graduation must not precede December, 1991 36 HOUSTON CONCHOLOGY SOCIETY, INC. Officers 1991-1992 President: Mary Martin Program Vice-President: Constance E. Boone Field Trip Vice-President: Darwin Alder Treasurer: Elizabeth Gillespie Recording Secretary: Cheryl Hood Corresponding Secretary: Kathy Betley Directors Harry Sharp Bill Oakes Gary Olson Peg Demaret Lynn Blair Doris Herman Immediate Past President: Jean Holman Editor, Texas Conchologist: Richard M. Yuill Honorary Life Members Constance E. Boone Dr. Helmer Ode’ TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, October, 1991 TABLE OF CONTENTS SEARCH AND SEIZURE Scratching and Scraping for Shells By Constance EB. Boone: = {<. (eben<5 = ee SHELLING NEAR THE CHALK CLIFFS OF DOVER By Mary and Kelby Martin... 27.6.2". MEET A MEMBER Lucy and Jerry Clampit By: Mary. Marti oo: 4. Soh Se ee MEANWHILE BACK AT THE RANCH BY Selig Clare se. Geren ate we eee NEW CURATOR OF INVERTEBRATES AT HMNS .... . AN EARLY URBAN RECORD OF Opeas Pyrgula IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS By Raymond: W:. REGGE) 0 6a ese! ho eS ee DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO (A Continuing Monograph: Family TURRIDAE By Helmer Geet. Soe Bese a ee HOUSTON CONCHOLOGY SOCIETY AUGUST MEETING By Sandy “Chari. ee seas eo se en a HCS TO PROVIDE STUDENT AWARD OF $500 IN 1992 . 10 13 35 36 CONCHOLOGIS VOLUME XXVIII, No. 2 ISSN 0885-1263 JANUARY 1992 The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST is the official publication of the Houston Conochology 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 following months: August, September, October, January, February, March, April, and May. The meeting is held the third Wednesday in November. Meetings are held at Southside Place Club House, 3743 Garnet, Houston, Texas. Meetings begin at 8:00 pm. 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 to a family membership. Dues extend from the begining 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 begining June 1 of the previous year. Memberships will be accepted throughout the year but will receive 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 $12.00 Single membership $10.00 Student membership $ 6.00 Single Issues $ 2.50 Extra sets mailed members $10.00 (Postage for overseas members required) Subscription $12.00 (Seamail $5.00, Airmail outside U.S., $8.00) EDITOR EDITORIAL ADVISOR Richard M. Yuill Constance E. Boone 1230 Lake Estates Ct. 3706 Rice Blvd. Sugar Land, Texas 77478 Houston, Texas 77005 (713) 491-3842 668-8252 EDITORIAL STAFF Helmer Ode’ Sandra Clark 3319 Big Bend Dr. 1220 Kipling Austin, Texas 78731 Houston,Tx 77006 (512) 452-7794 529-2035 The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST accepts contributions for publication from amateurs, 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 articles are welcomed. TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST,’ Vol .- XXVIII,’ No. 2, January, 1992 SEARCH AND SEIZURE BY CONSTANCE E. BOONE DIVING IN A SUB FOR A PLEUROTOMARIA In December, 1991, I made two dives in a small submersible off Georgetown, Grand Cayman, to try to see and, perhaps, collect a Pleurotomaria slit shell for the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The chances of seeing one were limited as they aren’t found there in abundance on the steep wall, but I went with high hopes and returned exhilarated beyond belief -- but without the prized shell. I did see one feeding on yellow sponge at about 500 feet on the coral wall. Today I write that the Pleurotomaria adansoniana Crosse and Fischer, 1861 that I saw and claimed as mine has been collected and sent to the Houston Museum of Natural Science! It will be on display soon. The senior pilot of the submersible retrieved the shell for us on January 1, 1992. What a way to begin 1992! Although the museum has an excellent display of the rare and primitive shell we know as "slit shells," the specimens we have are from Japan and one from Africa. We have not had one from the Western Atlantic. Since the museum’s main research collections are from the Gulf of Mexico and feature other Western Atlantic material, it was important for us to acquire a Pleurotomaria from the Western Atlantic. There are several species, and new ones are being found from very deep water, as you learned from the lecture given recently by Dr. M.G. Harasewych of the Smithsonian Institution. The museum is very pleased to add this beautiful, live-taken specimen to its collections. And now we begin the story of how this all came about. Last June a young man visited the museum and asked to see me. He had been sent by some divers. In his hands he had a shiny, one-inch shell which he wanted to have identified. I recognized it as a Calliostoma, but I knew that I might not be able to give it a specific name after he stated that he had gotten it off a ship wreck at over 800 feet deep off Georgetown, Grand Cayman, where he was senior pilot on a small submersible. He was in Houston visiting family here. He ended up giving the Calliostoma to the museum (so it could be researched) and he then also pulled a Pleurotomaria from his pocket. Naturally, I went into orbit and began to find out about his trips which are for the public. He said he could take me down to see a slit shell, perhaps. 37 1992 January, 2, No. XXVIII, Vol. TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, ‘aTqtsieuqns [Tews eyq jo HbutmMeajp enaij e UqTA yorzesso1 Aoj ‘uewkep puein 4e saeTqtsizseuqns QUuowesTAzAeApe ue Sst STUL 1 GTOISUINGNS HOWVISHH *BtaeuojzoAnetd e& A0ZJ yoirees ob 03 uewkey pueriy 7e eTqtszeuqns TTeuUs eu O4UT puecsep sucog sTUuUoD sqstsse ‘seTqtsizeuqns yorressesy Uztm™ qjottd azotues ‘uebuq AOoIL Yih He Wh Vit 183 A He CH: is wh Bie Wh Ve 1th oe Bee Ch a ; EBBE pores Vy 38 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 However, he is not allowed to collect shells or other sea life, as the British Government controls what is allowed in waters at Grand Cayman. He had been allowed to collect a specimen of Pleurotomaria for the government and for another institution. Attempt is made by the pilots to identify material seen on their many dives. Troy Engen said he would take me down to try and locate a slit shell for the dive price of $250.00 a trip (with two persons required for a dive). That seemed possible to me. During the summer, I went to work to solicit permission from the British Government to collect a Pleurotomaria for the museum. After sending the Calliostoma to Dr. James Quinn, a researcher in Florida working on Calliostoma and also working on some of the material in the Houston Museum of Natural Science malacological collections, we knew that we might have a new species, and we wanted at least one more specimen. Therefore, we sought permission for this also. August came, September arrived, and October faded away. I began to lose hope. The week before Thanksgiving, Troy called me and said he had our permit in his hand. Dr. Quinn and I planned to go make the dives the first week in December, and on December 3, my birthday, we were in the little sub diving down the steep wall off Georgetown! This was a small Perry class submersible with operating depth to 1,000 feet. This was basically a cylinder about 20 feet long and about eight feet across, with a three foot, convex viewport of clear acrylic plastic at the front end. Batteries are contained in long cylindrical pods along the hull’s flanks and provide up to 10 horsepower to the submersible’s stern and directional thrusters and also power communication, lighting and ventilation systems. The internal environment is maintained at one atmosphere, the equivalent of normal sea level air pressure. It holds only two passengers, depending on weight. The pilot sits back of the two passengers and directs the boat. The passengers sit on two small cushions in crowded condition facing the viewport. You leave shore in a Zodiak and are taken to the small sub riding on the surface. There you crawl down a small conning tower and drop to the floor. There is no ladder to get in or out. Once inside, we were given some instructions about how to surface if something happened to the pilot. There is constant communication to the surface where another pilot remains in the Zodiak. I have been asked if I _ had claustrophobia or any other qualms of being in so small a sub and going so far below the surface. I guess I was too excited to be doing what I was doing. But, seriously, the trip was very easily accomplished. The pilots’ are knowledgeable and informative. You descend along the slope of the coral wall and observe the differences of the fauna 39 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 as you go down. For our trip, we spent most of our time searching for the two mollusks we wanted. Below two hundred feet, we began to see mostly sponges and black corals. There were not that many fish, and the farther down you went the less fish you saw. There were many echinoderms and few mollusks. Only with the lights on could we see the array of animals in color. This far down you didn’t see reef corals which require sunlight. After scouring the wall and crevices where Troy had recently seen a Pleurotomaria, he announced that he had found one. I remember scrambling forward frantically trying to see the shell. Once I found it, that beautiful red shell, I was absolutely in heaven. Then we started trying to maneuver under the ledge to try and scoop it out with the pipe that Troy had attached to the front of the sub. The mollusk was feeding on yellow encrusting sponge on a smaller ledge. We could see the trail the animal had made as it crawled up against the inner wall. The plan was to scoop up the shell if we could and immediately ascend to within thirty feet of the surface and communicate with the pilot in the Zodiak who would dive down and get the shell from the pipe. That way we could avoid going through the waves at the surface and perhaps losing the shell. We kept trying, but the mollusk had crawled too far into the ledge, and we finally had to leave the area. I was disappointed, but I had seen the shell, and Troy said this one had my name on it. Our permit was written as I had requested -- we had ongoing permission to take one of each of the shells we needed. We then went down to the ship wreck at over 800 feet to seek another Calliostoma. Troy had rigged up two small plastic containers to the front bars of the sub to try and scoop up this mollusk which he had found on the hull. We looked carefully up and down the ship but never found one. Hopefully, we will be able to retrieve this species another day. We spent the last of our time looking at some of the gorgonians, weird sponges, wire and other black corals, and the wonderful sea _ lilies, crinoids named Cenocrinus asterius, animals that look like plants but which crawl along on stems, waving umbrella-like tentacles about seeking food. There is no light at that depth, and there are no waves so everything you see seems rather stiff but actually is not. The Pleurotomaria specimen sent to us had moved some 150 feet from the ledge I saw it on before it was collected, but I feel that the animal probably dropped off the ledge and fell to another crevice on that sloping wall. There do not seem to be many of the slit shells together. Troy says he has only seen two together once, and once he saw a lobster 40 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 eating one. They are rare shells found in very deep places. There are more sophisticated submersibles with capabilities to do more precise collecting with vacuum machinery. But, for me, my trip was one glorious event in my life. Research Submersibles is run by a very nice group of young men in Grand Cayman. Troy has made thousands of dives. The operation is top quality. To arrange a trip, you can call direct (809) 949 8296. This Pleurotomaria adansoniana Crosse & Fischer , 1861, 4.5 + inches, perfect and live-taken, is now at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. 41 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 RANGE EXTENSION NOTES ON A By Leslie Allen Crnkovic PTERONOTUS MURICID FROM HONDURAS Family MURICIDAE Subfamily Muricinae Genus Pterynotus Swainson, 1833 Pterynotus xenos Harasewych, 1982 While diving the west end walls of Isla Roatan, Honduras C.A., I found two beautiful muricids from the genus Pterynotus. The specimens, quite small, were an interesting find. When I go on research and collecting trips, I am often teased about carrying a virtual "wet lab" and thus being prepared for almost anything. Along with that jesting came notoriety for my tweezers in hand collecting micromolluscs while diving. In a conversation with Dr. M.G. Harasewych about these muricids, his curiosity was sparked and he sent me some literature on Western Atlantic Pterynotus (Harasewych, 1982; and Harasewych and Jensen, 1979). After writing a comparative analogy (Crnkovic, 1991) on my specimens and P. xenos, I sent the paper and specimens to Dr. Harasewych for examination. A positive identification of the specimens was made as P. xenos. The original type locality for P. xenos was Discovery Bay, Jamaica, at 60 meters. The shell size of the type specimens was 5.08 mm to 6.30 mm, the color was salmon, and the spiral angle was 37 to 42°. The two Honduran specimens, collected in 14 meters on top of a reef wall, are 6.13 mm and 8.25 mn. The color of these specimens blushes lavender with brown dashed markings. The spiral angle is 22°. Both specimens from Honduras were collected dead. This species was previously known only from the type location; thus, this find marks a range extension across the Caribbean Sea from east to west. LITERATURE CITED Crnkovic, L.A. 1991. Notes on a Honduran Pterynotus muricid (Mollusca: Gastropoda). Unpublished manuscript, 4pp., 5 figs. (Available at no charge by writing the author) Harasewych, M.G. 1982. Pterynotus xenos n.s. of muricid from off Northern Jamaica. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 95(4): 639-641. Harasewych, M.G., and R.H. Jensen. 1979. Review of the subgenus Pterynotus (Gastropoda: Muricidiae) in the Western Atlantic. Nemouria 22: 1-16. 42 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 A B Pig. “1 P. xenos A. Vental view, 8.25 mm; B. Dorsal view, 6.13 mm. Photo by Bob Lipe, The Shell Store, St. Petersberg, Florida. Fig. 2. P. xenos, oblique view of protoconch. 43 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 MEET A MEMBER by Mary Martin Meet Jean Holman, a member of the Houston Conchology Society since September, 1986. Jean is employed in new home sales for Emerald Homes at Greatwood near Richmond, Texas. Her husband Skip is a music producer, and they both own Holman Sound Design. They share their home with their black poodles Ninja and Einstein and a cat, Ugly. Jean’s interest in seashells developed when she moved into her first apartment on the beach in Virginia Beach, VA. Her apartment was small and she decorated it with shells that she found on the beach. She soon began buying larger shells in the $1-$2 range. Her love of shells continues to be evident in the decorating of her lovely home in Katy, Texas, in which she has taken the shell motif to fabulous heights. Jean found out about the Houston Conchology Society when she wrote to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. for information about a certain shell. She was given the address of the American Malacological Union which turned out to be the address of Constance Boone in Houston. Through Connie, Jean learned of the Houston Conchology Society and was amazed to find out there were so many other people interested in shells. This very active member is the immediate past president of the Houston Conchology Society and held that office for two years. She has also been the Christmas Tree Chairperson for two years, Awards Banquet Chairperson for two years, and the typist for the Texas Conchologist for three years. Some of Jean’s favorite shells are the large gastropods, such as Strombus (conch) and Syrinx (Australian trumpet shell). She also collects large Tridacna (giant clams). Her favorite shell is the Syrinx that was a birthday gift from Skip. Jean wants to expand her interest in conchology by specializing in PATELLIDAE (limpets). She wants to apply the research knowledge she gained while typing the articles written by Helmer Ode, Ph.D. for the Texas Conchologist. Her goal is to have very accurate data on each limpet in her collection. She also hopes to have specimens of limpets, eventually, from every sea and ocean. Jean’s best and worst collecting stories are one and the same. The only time that she has done any self-collecting was in 1987 at Key West, FL. She was so proud of her finds that she brought them home live in her luggage on the plane. To her dismay, she found that in order to keep the shells, 44 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 the animals inside had to be killed. Skip and their friend Gary Olson volunteered to do the dirty deed. Jean’s other major area of interest is her love for animals and their rights. She is a member of many animal rights organizations, such as P.E.T.A., Humane Farming Association, World Wildlife Fund, and Greenpeace. She has done a considerable amount of writing to her congressman on animal rights. She is also very interested in healthy eating, and for ethical reasons, now eats no beef or pork. CLL ew \ Jean Holman with friends Ninja and Einstein. 45 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 MONOGRAPH | By H. ODE! DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA IN THE NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO (A Continuing Monograph) Continuation of TURRIDAE Subfamily CLATHURELLINAE H. and A. Adams, 1858 Small to medium sized turrids, usually with strong sculpture. Formerly placed in the MANGELIINAE, but shell characters and anatomical details are different. Genus Nannodiella Dall, 1919 Small, strongly sculptured shells with a spout-like sinus projecting beyond the apertural lip. The conical protoconch has 4 whorls; the three early ones are glossy, but the last one develops a strong keel. There are several species in the very rich material of the survey material, which are difficult to name, because the available literature is rather contradictory. There are several characters which may be briefly mentioned here: mature specimens form a typical sinus, almost tubular, with projecting thick walls. When the animal dies, if the process of formation of the sinus is incomplete, the outer lip may flare widely and the "tubing" remains undone. Then the aperture appears exactly the same as in some figures of species of Lioglyphostoma shown by Fargo (1953) (in Olsson and Harbison, “pil. 21). Many specimens show internal denticles on the inner lip, but these may be lacking. Often two extremely minute hemispherical pustules are present on the inside of the columella. 412. Nannodiella melanitica (Bush, 1885) The name of this species is uncertain. Abbott (1974) implies that melanitica Bush, 1885 is not the same as melanitica Dall, 1889; the latter, according to him, is a synonym of N. vespuciana d'Orbigny. N. melanitica Bush, 1885 probably has as a synonym N. oxia Bush, 1885. Because Abbott (1974) reports N. melanitica from Texas in the correct depth range, our most common material is here named melanitica Bush. This species is widespread along the Texas coast and live material in dredgings is common. Most specimens are shiny, highly polished and somewhat oily looking. 46 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 The shoulder lacks raised spiral sculpture, but sometimes faint spirals can be seen in the reflected glare under the microscope. There is a highly "knobby" keel on the periphery below which there is another keel at a distance somewhat less than the width of the shoulder. In several specimens a thin keel starts developing on the body whorl between those two keels. We have one very large specimen that got injured after the full apertural sinus was developed, but was not killed. Most of the lip from the sinus to canal was cracked. The animal repaired the damage, filled the sinus with white chalky material and finally constructed more than 1 1/2 regular whorls’ with complete lip and sinus. When alive, the color is light brown with a lighter spiral band along the periphery and somewhat darker color at the suture, the outer lip and the anterior canal. The species widespread along the entire Texas- Louisiana coasts. Rarely on the beach (Port Aransas and South Padre Island). Also on Stetson Bank and in the mudlump fauna. Records HMNS survey collection: 40 lots, of which 8 contair live collected material. Depth range: 0-30 fms; alive 7-18 fms. Geographic range: “North Carolina to Florida and Texas, 7 tc 47 fms. (Same as oxia ?) (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 4.7 mn. 413. Nannodiella c.f. pauca Fargo, 1953 This somewhat deeper-water species resembles N. melanitica Bush closely, but differs in several respects. 1) In general it grows slightly larger; 2) although essentially Similarly colored as N. melanitica, its colors are less vivid; 3)there are 2-4 spiral threads on the shoulder; 4) the anterior canal appears to be slightly shorter. Mostly on sand bottoms offshore Galveston. Also on Stetson Bank. Records HMNS' survey collection: 9 “kets of which °dne contains live collected material. Depth range: 20-30 fms., 140 fms alive. Geographic range: only reported form the Pliocene of southern Florida. Maximum size: 5.1 mm 414. Nannodiella vespuciana d'Orbigny, 1842 A third species in the same environment (sandy bottoms offshore Freeport and Galveston) is considerably more evenly sculptured than N. melanitica or N. pauca. It is far less knobby and has a number of spirals on eact 47 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 whorl crossed by radial riblets. Of all Texas nannodiellas this is the most lanceolate in shape. On the shoulder are 5 to 6 clearly defined spiral threads and the keel separating the shoulder from the whorl is closely set with rather small spherical knobs. The radial ribs are more dense than in the other two species. In our area never intertidal, but living deeper than melanitica. Both Abbott (1974) and Vokes and Vokes (1983) give figures of this species which, although very close to our material, give the impression of a somewhat more coarsely sculpted shell than our material. Records HMNS survey collection: 16 lots, several of which appear to be quite fresh. Depth range: 12-51 fms, mostly between 25-35 fms. Geographical range: "Florida and the West Indies; intertidal to 30 fms.“ (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 5.6 mn. Genus Glyphostoma Gabb, 1872 Shell larger than in Nannodiella, biconic, fusiform with somewhat inflated whorls. Outer lip very heavily formed with minute denticles inside. Sinus well developed. Very often in the literature the gender of Glyphostoma is treated as feminine, which it is not. 415. Glyphostoma gabbii Dall, 1889 This beautiful species has several times been taken off Louisiana and also in the mudlump fauna, but so far not off the Texas coast. Several of our specimens are quite fresh and are beautifully colored. The lip and the grooves between the radial ribs are brown and the background of the shell is a light tan. Records HMNS survey collection: 4 lots of which two contain probably live collected material. Depth range: 40-67 fms. Geographical range: "Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and the West Indies." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 12.3 mn. 416. Glyphostoma c.f. dentiferum Gabb, 1872 Only a single lot from 110 fms. off Texas is in the survey collection. The single shell has_ heavily developed denticles on the inside of the outer lip and well developed lirae on the columella. its colger pattern, as far as it is still visible, appears to be different from that of G. gabbii. G. dentiferum is spirally banded with a brown band. The sutural 48 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 depression is more strongly ribbed than in G. gabbii. Our specimen is also not unlike G. polysculptum bispirale Fargo, 1953 (in Olsson and Harbison, 1953). Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot, not live collected. Depth range: 110 fms. Geographical range: "Southeast Florida. 15 fms. Miocene, West Indies." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 17mn. Subfamily MANGELIINAE Fischer, 1887 In general, small gastropods, ovate to fusiform. In many species a sinus is present on the well-developed shoulder. The earliest nuclear whorls are in most species smooth and glassy, followed by a carinate or sculptured one. In mature specimens usually a thickened lip is present which may be denticulated. There are many species in our area belonging to several genera which can be arranged on the basis of shell characters in several more or less related groups of genera. 1) The Pyrgocythara group with genera: Agathotoma, Platycythara, Bactrocythara, Thelecythara, Pyrgocythara. =)- . “The Ithycythara group with Ithycythara and Rubellatoma. 3) The Kurtziella group with Kurtziella, Cryoturris, Glyphoturris and Kurtzina. 4) The Brachycythara group with Brachycythara and Tenaturris. 5) The deep (cold) water genera Propebela and Oenopota. Genus Mangelia Risso, 1826 The content of this genus is highly problematical. Many species are assigned to it, which, when finally more is known about the anatomy of these gastropods, have to be assigned to other genera. Here are two species which are quite different. 417. Mangelia (Benthomangelia) c.f. bandella (Dall,1881) Only two lots of a small mangeliid with broad subsutural groove are present. There is a wide shoulder; the whorls are ornamented by inclined riblets which at the shoulder end in minute knobs. Our specimens correspond closely with figure 3180 in Abbott (1974). Obtained in deep water, off Texas. Records HMNS survey collection: 2 lots, none live collected. Depth range: 110-167 fms. 49 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 Geographical range: “Off east Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, 100 to 1200 fms, common; may be a Pleuroboniella, 9 mm." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 8.0 mm. 418. Mangelia sp. indet. A Only for lack of a reasonable generic assignment are two lots placed in "Mangelia". These are rather fusiform shells with a large protoconch of about 4 perfectly smooth whorls. In shape these shells resemble the genus Propebela but their nucleus is quite different. The teleoconch shows about three whorls with faint spiral sculpture and some indistinct radial riblets. Obtained from Stetson Bank and off Port Aransas, Texas. Records HMNS survey collection: 2 lots, none live collected. Depth range: 30-70 fms. Geographical range: Unknown. Maximum size: 3.5 mn. Genus Agathotoma Cossmann, 1899 Slender, usually shouldered shells with spiral sculpture of fine striae. In the N.W. Gulf of Mexico one species belonging in the subgenus Vitricythara Fargo, 1953. 419. Agathotoma (Vitricythara) metria (Dall, 1903) This widespread and common species can immediately be recognized by its shouldered and flattened whorls. Fresh specimens have three light brown spiral color bands on the body whorl, a typical mangeliid character. Its nucleus is also typical mangeliid. The sculpture consists of a rather well developed cancellate pattern and in mature specimens a thickened apertural lip develops. In some specimens, the shell keeps growing after the lip develops, which then becomes a varix. This is a Caloosahatchian species, originally described from the Florida Pliocene. Usually the species is placed in Pyrgocythara , but I follow here McLean in Keen (1971). Beach rolled specimens have been taken at Galveston West Beach and South Padre Island. Most dredged material comes from sandy shelly bottoms in the 15-30 fms range. Also on the offshore Shale domes (Stetson, Claypile and Sonnier) and in the mudlump fauna. In my opinion, Vitricythara micromeri Dall is the same. Records HMNS survey collection: 33 lots of which 3 contain live collected material. Depth range: 0-55 fms; alive 10-11 fms. 50 TERAS CONCHOLOGIST,,. Vol... (XXVIIL, No... 2, Janvnary ,'1992 Geographical range: "Gulf of Mexico, 16 fms., Texas." (AbbOttPoig7e) : Maximum size: 6.4 mm. 420. Agathotoma (Vitricythara ?) sp. indet. A In this probably undescribed species, the surface sculpture is much more strongly developed than A. metria. Its cancellate sculpture is heavier; its whorls are more rounded and somewhat coronated. This species could belong in the genus Acmaturris Woodring because, to some extent, it resembles the figures of Acmaturris from Woodring, but the definition of the genus is unknown to me. Records HMNS survey collection: 2 lots, no live material, both from Stetson Bank. Depth range: + 25-30 fms. Geographical range: unknown. Maximum size: 6.7 mn. Genus Bactrocythara Woodring, 1928 Small, ovate gastropods with rather large body whorl. Nucleus small: first whorl smooth and glassy after which sculpture gradually appears. In the N.W. Gulf of Mexico, one species. 421. Bactrocythara asarca (Dall and Simpson, 1901) Several lots of this unusual species which is a caloosatchian survivor were collected. Fresh specimens have opisthocline radial riblets, and in between those are indistinct spiral ribs. As in so many mangeliid species, fresh specimens show three light brown spiral color bands on the body whorl. The figure of the species on pl. 29 of Warmke and Abbott (1961), reproduced from the original paper, fits our material exactly. In particular, the trace of the parietal lip on the body whorl is quite characteristic. There is a slight "stromboid" notch at the lower part of the outer Lip. Mostly on sandy bottoms. Also in the mudlump fauna. Records HMNS survey collection: 10 lots of which 1 contains quite fresh material. Depth range: 25-55 fms., fresh at 25 fms. Geographical range: "Off south Florida, 30 fms; Puerto Rico" (Abbott, 1974). Genus Platycythara Woodring, 1928 Small shells with narrow raised spiral and axial ribbing. The interspaces are filled with microscopically beaded, 51 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 frosty appearing, spiral striae. A stromboid notch is present. The type is from the Jamaican "Miocene". Recent Platycythara is known only from the Panamic faunal province. The genera Bactrocythara and Thelecythara are very close. 422. Platycythara sp. indet. A This very beautiful but quite small species has all the characters of the genus: 1) a _ stromboid notch; 2) opisthocline riblets which are crossed by spirals; 3) a relatively large body whorl and 5) microscopic beading within the cancellate sculpture. This species is so different from the previous one that it can be recognized at a glance. There is stronger sculpture, the shell is more slender and its whorls are strongly tabulated. It resembles P. electra Dall, 1919 from the Panamic faunal province closely. Earlier I have reported it as Pyrgocythara elata (Tex. Conchol vol.9). Records HMNS survey collection: 4 lots, no live material. Depth range: 24-28 fms., on sandy, shelly bottoms off Galveston. Geographic range: Unknown. Maximum size: 4.4 mm. Genus Thelecythara Woodring, 1928 Small slender gastropods with strongly cancellate sculpture and a very clearly observable stromboid notch. There is somewhat of a problem with the two known species of this genus in our area. The type is mucronata Guppy described from the "Miocene" of Jamaica. Recently, Vokes and Vokes (1983) figured a recent shell from the Yucatan under that name. A quite similar single specimen, taken from beach adrift at the Galveston seawall I have reported as T. floridana in the Texas Conchologist (vol. 9, p.69). Another lot of Thelecythara was dredged offshore Galveston and is exactly like T. floridana as described by Fargo (in Olsson and Harbison 1953). The main difference between both "Species" is the quite different apex. Although, for reasons to be stated, I believe that mucronata and floridana are identical, I will treat them here as different. 423. Thelecythara mucronata (Guppy, 1896) A single beachworn specimen was taken from beachdrift at the seawall in Galveston. Previously I reported (Tex. Conch. vol.7, -—ps22)as TT. floridana® Fargo eee since Vokes and Vokes, 1983, report exactly the same form as recent from Yucatan, I will use here the same label. The difference with T. floridana is the apex. In T. mucronata the shell is stumpy and the top is almost rolled in. In T. floridana there are three 52 ttpas ‘CONCHOLOGISI,. Vol ., CXVIIILY No... 2,y January, 1992 smooth glassy early whorls which form a stylus on the top of the shell. I suggest here that the stumpy form is merely a gerontic character and that the stylus in older shells may get lost and that the shell is repaired leaving a flattened stump. More material is needed to verify this suggestion. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot from beach drift at the Galveston seawall. Depth range: O fms. Geographical range: Yucatan (Vokes and Vokes, 1983). Maximum size: 7.6. mm. 424. Thelecythara floridana Fargo, 1953 A single lot of quite fresh shells was dredged offshore Galveston. These shells have a uniform deep brown color. Because of the styliform nucleus which is lighter in color than the body, these shells appear more slender than T. mucronata. An exactly similar specimen was figured by McLean from the Panamic faunal Province in Keen (1971, No.1808, p.752). Records HMNS' survey collection: 1 lot, rather fresh, offshore Galveston. Depth range: 12 fms. Geographical range: Only known from the Pliocene of Florida and the Panamic faunal Province off Mexico. Maximum size: 7.7 mm. Genus Pyrgocythara Woodring, 1928 Somewhat plump shells, hardly ever shouldered. Usually with strong sculpture, deep sinus and a toothlike protuberance below the lower edge of the sinus. 425. Pyrgocythara plicosa (C.B. Adams, 1850) This very common species is one of the few turrids of the Texas coastal bays. It is almost never dredged offshore, but can be collected from beach drift along the outer beaches close to the inlets. The shells of living specimens often are strongly eroded = and sometimes living specimens are thickly covered by a black deposit, presumably of bacterial origin. As has been observed in other mangeliids, a thickened lip forms in maturity. In some specimens, the animal does not die after forming this lip, but may add one or more whorls to the shell, filling the opening of the sinus by irregular growth. The old thickened lip then forms a varix. Records HMNS survey collection: 28 lots of which 11 contain live collected material. a3 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 Depth range: 0-7 fms., Found in all Texas bays and all outer beaches near the inlets in drift. Also in Timbalier Bay (isa :")*. Geographical range: "Massachusetts to Texas." (Abbott, 1974) Maximum size: 6.7 mm. 426. Pyrgocythara hemphilli Bartsch and Rehder, 1939 Very rarely, specimens of this somewhat larger species have been found along the Texas coast. (See Tex. Conch. vol.8, p.70). In the survey collection is only a single specimen collected many years ago by Dr. T. Pulley at the Harbor Island Causeway at Port Aransas. Presumably this is a Pleistocene fossil. In the abundant recent material I have not encountered the species. It is more slender and somewhat larger than P. plicosa. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot, no live material. Depth range: O fms., collected on a mudflat at Harbor Island near Port Aransas (here often fossil material washes out): Geographical range: "West coast of Florida." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 8.3 mm. 427. Pyrgocythara candidissima (C.B. Adams, 1845) This species and the next two differ in general characters considerably from P. plicosa, and, in my opinion, should have a different generic label, but whether these species or P. plicosa should change depends on the type P. eminula Woodring from Jamaica. In the past, most of the material of this species was reported as P. densestriata which it is not. The species can be immediately recognized by its radial ribbing which rises above the suture, the fine spiral ribbing in between the radials and the dull grey-white color. It was collected on the offshore banks (Stetson, Flower Gardens and some drowned reefs off Louisiana). Records HMNS survey collection: 8 lots, no live material. Depth range: 9-55 fms. Geographical range: "Southeast Florida and the West Indies, Bermuda." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 8.7 mm 428. Pyrgocythara densestriata (C.B. Adams, 1850) A single worn specimen of this somewhat different but closely related species was taken at 20 fms., 60 miles SSE of Galveston, Texas. It is a slightly more slender species with a relatively larger body whorl. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot, no live material. 54 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 Depth range: 20 fms. Geographical range: "West Indies." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 3.9 mm. 429. Pyrgocythara sp. indet. A Finally, there is a single small shell which is related to the candidissima-densestriata group of species. It is more coarsely spirally ribbed, smaller and less coronated, so that it begins to resemble a white Agathotoma. Its radial ribs are much more subdued than in candidissima, but still rise slightly above the suture. Our single lot was collected on Parker Bank in the algae zone at 36 fms. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot, no live material. Depth range: 36 fms. Geographical range: unknown. Maximum size: 3.1 mm. Genus Ithycythara Woodring, 1928 Slender and elongate shells with prominent concave sided ribs which are aligned from whorl to whorl. The shell surface is either smooth or microscopically striated. Three species occur in the N.W. Gulf of Mexico. Because species of this genus have seldom been critically compared, it is difficult to identify our material with any certainty. 430. Ithycythara c.f. pentagonalis (Reeve, 1845) This is the smallest species in our area and the only one that is sculpted with a dense set of microspirals between and on the radial ribs. When worn, the shells become almost smooth. The nucleus is rather small. The color pattern may vary considerably. There are specimens that are spirally banded by many rather narrow, weak, brown bands on ae yellowish white background. Others show only a single broad brown band and still others are a uniform reddish brown or, rarely, yellowish. This species was collected in the mudlump fauna, Stetson Bank, Claypile and Sonnier Bank and off shelly bottoms off Galveston (20-30 fms). Once a specimen was rafted ashore on a whipcoral holdfast on Mustang Island. In the past, I reported most of this material as I. psila Bush. Records HMNS survey collection: 15 lots of which 1 contains live collected material. Depth range: 12-55 fms. Geographical range: "South Florida and the West Indies. Brazil." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 5.0 mn. 55 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 431.) Ithycythara c.f. lanceolata» (C.B:,Adams;01850) This is the largest species of the genus in our area. It is quite slender with 6 well developed ribs per whorl. The surface is quite smooth and shiny in fresh specimens. Some specimens show weakly brown spiral color banding on a light tan background. The denticles which Abbott (1974) mentions on the lower part of the inner lip only develop in gerontic specimens and are lacking in most of our material. The nucleus is rather small for this relatively large species and is formed by two small glassy and smooth whorls followed by one in which the sculpture gradually starts. Most of our material is not color banded and could conceivably be another species (hyperlepta Haas ?) Mostly on sandy, shelly bottoms off Galveston; hardly on the offshore banks. Records HMNS survey collection: 29 lots of which 4 contain live collected material. Depth range: 6-35 fms.; alive 25-35 fms. Geographical range: "South Florida and West Indies." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 11.5 mn. 432. Ithycythara c.f. kellumi Fargo, 1953 This species closely resembles I. lanceolata but differs in several respects 1) it is never color banded but always uniform in color; 2) while I. lanceolata has a spiral color pattern, kellumi has radial color bands: opaque, glassy bands are often inserted between "normal" looking growth increments; 3) the nucleus is much more strongly developed, especially the third whorl which is broader and flatter than that in I. lanceolata. Mostly in deeper water off Galveston and also known from the mudlump fauna. Records HMNS survey collection: 24 lots of which 3 contain very fresh looking material. Depth range: 25-67 fms.; fresh at 26-67 fms. Geographical range: known only from the Pliocene of southern Florida. Maximum size: 8.3 mn. Genus Rubellatoma Bartsch and Rehder, 1939 Abbott (1974) treats Rubellatoma as a subgenus of Kurtziella Dall,1918. I believe that it should be given full generic rank and that it is much closer to Ithycythara than to Kurtziella which has a completely different microsculpture. Fragmented shells of Ithycythara and Rubellatoma are often difficult to tell apart, but those of Kurtziella are easily 56 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 separated. In the N.W. Gulf of Mexico, there are probably two species which may turn out to be identical. 433. Rubellatoma diomedea Bartsch and Rehder, 1939 There are many lots of this quite variable species in the survey collection and although most must _ be assigned to R. diomedea, a few could be a different species. Almost all shell characters are variable. Most obvious are: the height at which the whorl attaches to the preceding whorl; the slope of the shoulder, so that some shells are slender but others become rather broad; the angularity of the knobby projections. In some specimens, these appear slightly rounded, in others they are almost sharply pointed. Also variable is the emphasis on the connecting spiral between the knobs on the whorl. I have put almost all forms together as R. diomedea, except a single lot of very fat rounded specimens that appear to be true R. rubella. R. diomedea is not uncommon in beachdrift on the outer beaches of Galveston, Port Aransas (once alive, at jetty) and South Padre Island. Also in the mudlump fauna and Stetson Bank and widespread on sandy bottoms of the Freeport-Galveston area. Records HMNS survey collection: 46 lots of which 4 contain live collected material. Depth range: 0-50 fms., but mostly between 6-25 fms., alive at 0-25 fms. Geographical range: "Off west Florida." (Abbott, 1974). Vokes and Vokes (1983) report it for Yucatan, but figure a species not identical with mine. Maximum size: 10.6 mn. 434. Rubellatoma rubella (Kurtz and Stimpson, 1851) A single lot of three specimens with rather swollen but quite unusual rounded whorls, giving the shell a different aspect, is here considered to be different. This view may be erroneous because as stated above Rubellatoma diomedea is extremely variable in shape. The sample was obtained on sand-bottom off Galveston. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot, no live material. Depth range: 25 fms. Geographical range: "North Carolina to southeast Florida; Texas." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 11.1 mn. 57 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 Genus Glyphoturris Woodring, 1928 Small, rather sharply sculptured shells with relatively short aperture. Strong pustulose sculpture. Only a single species in the N.W. Gulf of Mexico. 435. Glyphoturris quadrata (Reeve, 1845) This small species is sculpted by countless small but well developed pustules all arranged in spiral rows. This gives these small shells a frosted and rough appearance and makes the species easily recognizable. Although species in Cryoturris and Kurtziella have the same type of microsculpture, none has it as outspoken as species in Glyphoturris. Vokes and Vokes (1983) report the species as diminuta (C.B. Adams) which I believe is synonymous with quadrata (Reeve). Most of our material was obtained from the offshore banks (West Flower Gardens, Stetson Bank, Sonnier Bank, Hospital Rock) and off the Mississippi delta in 24-51 fms and off Galveston in 24 fms. Also in the mudlump fauna. Records HMNS survey collection: 13 lots of which 3 contain very fresh material. Depth range: 20-51 fms. Geographical range: Maximum size: 8.2 mn. Genus Cryoturris Woodring, 1928 This genus_- belongs in, ‘the uo Kurtzielday Granoturris, Cryoturris, Kurtzina group of genera, a group which is probably over split. This entire complex of species is sorely in need of much work and differential diagnoses of the western Atlantic species including both Pliocene and recent ones, should be prepared. It is difficult to assign with certainty’ any labels to our rich material. The difficulty of placing these species in their proper genus can be gathered from the fact that some authors believe some labels are synonymous whereas others put them in different genera. Unfortunately, also some names are very close (c.f. Cryoturris serga and serta). Several years ago, some material collected by the Bureau of Economic Geology was sent to Virginia Maes who identified it. Several species she identified are not on our list. I will give here a short enumeration of some of the main characters of these so-called genera. Cryoturris: Rather slender shells, whorls angular, but not sharply angular, spiral sculpture not well developed. Sculpture consists of finely frosted microsculpture of small pustules. Sinus on the shoulder of varying depth; columellar lip simple. 58 HEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 Protoconch slender, 2 1/2 whorls, tip immersed, with fine axial riblets beginning on the 2nd whorl and gradually developing a median keel. Granoturris: Sculpture of conch as in Cryoturris, but protoconch quite different: short and bulbous, 1 1/2 whorls, followed by a weak submedian keel preceding the sculpture of the conch. Kurtziella: Somewhat less slender than Cryoturris, whorls sharply angular, frosting in general coarser than in Cryoturris, spiral sculpture well developed. Shoulder wide and flat, sinus very wide and shallow. Protoconch 2 1/2 whorls, of which the last whorl is wide, somewhat flattened and cancellated. Kurtzina: Rather small, somewhat stumpy shells. Protoconch large: its 3rd whorl bulbous and inflated, with cancellate sculpture. Frosty sculpture of the conch is deemphasised. The species of Cryoturris and Kurtziella in our area are probably descendants of Caloosahatchian forms. Kurtzina and Granoturris may both be Panamic forms, although Granoturris is also described from the Florida Pliocene, but it is surprising that Kurtzina, which is very widespread on the Texas shelf so far has not been reported in the western Atlantic. Before listing the species of our region, it may be remarked here that the differences in conch sculpture and protoconch architecture are essentially quite gradual. Some specimens of Cryoturris (species cerinella) sometimes appear to have a cancellated or reticulated last whorl of the protoconch, because spiral sculpture may start somewhat early. fThus, I believe that one should not rely too strongly on the minutiae of protoconch sculpture. 436. Cryoturris cerinella (Dall, 1889) Mangelia cerinella Dall, 1889, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. OE Re: ae oe i le Pa a This species was introduced by Dall in the Blake Report in a discussion of the several species Dall had encountered in the western Atlantic. This discussion is still of value because Dall carefully compared species instead of providing descriptions without references to related forms. The species in the sequence of species (now placed in different genera) citronella, cerina, limonitella, serga, atrostyla and cerinella, according to Dall, increase in size. However, Abbott (1974) gives the same size _ for citronella as cerinella! Our measurements show that it is one of the smaller species on the Texas shelf. 59 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 Cc. cerinella can be recognized by its’ straight lanceolate form. Except for the first two, whorls of the final shell are less coronated than in most other species discussed here. The radial riblets are not well developed and their upper part does not reach the suture at the previous whorl. The frosty surface sculpture consists but of spirals of very fine pustules. One or two of these spirals at the suture may be slightly more coarse, but in general, the pustulosity is very uniform and fine. The color is usually soft yellow to light brown. The sinus on the shoulder is well defined, rather deeply U-shaped but in older material, often broken away. This is a common species, often found in beach worn condition on the outer beaches of Texas. Also obtained on Stetson Bank (Pleistocene ?). I may note here that it is possible that our extensive material could be split into two species. Cryoturris dorvilliae Reeve (as figured by Rios, 1985, pl.49, fig.677) appears very close, but I cannot split our material consistently. Mrs. Virginia Maes identified some Texas material as C. dorvilliae. Records HMNS survey collection: 44 lots of which 7 contain live collected material. Depth range: 0 (beach)-25 fms.; alive: 0-9 fms. Geographical range: "South Carolina to Florida and Texas." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 7.2 mm. 437. Cryoturris serga (Dall, 1881) Pleurotoma (Drillia) serga Dall, 1881; Bull Zool., Vol.9(2), p.65. Mangelia serga Dall; Bull. Mus Comp: Zod] . / ‘vol.i2(6),, pl.979fig.4- This quite different species must be placed in Cryoturris on account of the protoconch sculpture. Both the shell shape and the minute frosting are completely different from that in C. cerinella. It can immediately be recognized by its extremely coarse frosting. Near the suture are two rows of even coarser pustules. The sinus on the shoulder is wide, but well developed. There is a slight notch at the lower end of the apertural lip. This might be the same as Cryoturris serta Fargo, described from the Pliocene of south Florida, which it closely resembles. Mostly in fairly deep water off Texas and also in the mudlump fauna. Records HMNS survey collection: 25 lots, no live material. Depth range: 17-60 fms. 60 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 Geographical range: "Florida Strait, West Indies, Bermuda, Yucatan." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 9.7 mn. 438. Cryoturris citronella (Dall, 1886) Mangelia citronella Dall, 1886; Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Vol.12(6), pl.9, fig.5; ibid. vol.18, p.112. This is a deeper water species with not surprisingly coarser pustulosity than C. cerinella. Its protoconch is quite heavily developed. The anterior canal in this species is relatively somewhat longer than in other species on the Texas coast. The surface is divided by radials and spirals into trellised squares. In each of these are about 5 to 6 spiral rows of microscopic pustules. No color is apparent in our material. Some years ago, Mrs. Virginian Maes identified some shells sent to her by the Bureau of Economic Geology in Austin as C. adamsi (E.A. Smith, 1884). This species is not present in our material but resembles C. citronella. Obtained off the Texas and Louisiana coasts; also in the mudlump fauna. Records HMNS survey collection: 12 lots, no live material Depth range: 14-150 fms. Geographical range: "Off both sides of Florida." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 5.8 mn. Genus Kurtziella Dall, 1918 This genus resembles Cryoturris closely and differs little from that genus except in the architecture of the protoconch. In Kurtziella the spiral sculpture begins somewhat earlier so that the second whorl of the protoconch appears reticulated instead of radially ribbed. Of lesser importance is the fact that the sinus on the shoulder in the species present in the N.W. Gulf of Mexico is much shallower than in Cryoturris. There are only three species in the N.W. Gulf of Mexico. 439. Kurtziella atrostyla (Tyron, 1884) Daphnella atrostyla Tyron, 1884; Manual of Conchol., VOA og. Do 3LO,, Dl .34, .£19.100, This is a widespread species on the Texas offshore shelf. It lives, like its congeners, on shelly, sandy bottoms, mostly in the 8-15 fms. range. So far, only a few specimens have been collected from beach drift (Galveston and Padre Island at the Mansfield cut). A 61 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 few old specimens come from Stetson Bank and it is here in the mudlump fauna. Its coloration consists, when fresh, of brownish flecks on the outer lip and sometimes a brown’ stained columella. Most common and longest retained color is a narrow brown band at the suture on a light tan background. Old material is always bleached and dull grey. The protoconch can vary considerably in size and the strength of the reticulation depends, to some degree, on the onset of spirals on the third whorl. The frosted microsculpture is extremely fine, much finer than in kK. limonitella. In earlier reports (Ode’, Tex. Conchol., vol.9) I erroneously switched labels for K. atrostyla and K. limonitella. Records HMNS survey collection: 50 lots of which 11 contain live collected material. Depth range: 0-150 fms.; alive, 8 1/2-32 fms. Geographical range: "North Carolina to Florida and Texas, West Indies." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 9.6 mm., but this is an abnormal specimen; almost all specimens are below 8 mn. 440. Kurtziella c.f. cerina (Kurtz and Stimpson, 1851) Only four lots of a rather stumpy small species may belong to this species. Its microsculpture is rather , fine, indicating a close relationship with § K. atrostyla. More material is needed to verify that this is a truly separate species. Our material was obtained from sand bottoms off Galveston and Louisiana and one lot from the Flower Gardens. Records HMNS survey collection: 4 lots, no live-collected material. Depth range: 11-55 fms. Geographical range: "Massachusetts to New Jersey (Pleistocene 7?) to Florida; Yucatan, 20-30 fms. (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 4.2 mn. 441. Kurtziella limonitella (Dall, 1884) Drillia limonitella Dall, 1884; Proc. U.S." Nats Bue, vol .6(384), ~~ p.329, ° pl.10,;. fiqgs107. “alse lees? aa Mus. Comp. Zool., vol.18, pp.111,112. ‘(as “Mang73a8 )e This fairly common species has been dredged at many locations off Texas on sandy shelly bottoms. Tt 148 also known from Stetson Bank and Claypile Dome and is abundant in the mudlump fauna. One single lot comes from 1 1/2 fms. in Timbalier Bay (La.), but thie 2a probably adventitious. To my knowledge, this species 62 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 has never been taken in beach drift (Andrews, 1971 is in error). The species can be readily recognized by the pattern of spiral banding on the body whorl and the pustulosity which is less coarse than in C. serga, but a lot stronger than in K. atrostyla. This is apparently a typical Caloosahatchian species and it is not listed by Vokes and Vokes (1983) from Yucatan. Fargo (1953) describes a subspecies margaritifera from the Florida Pliocene and states that this is still living off west Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. In our collection, very similar material is present, which I suggest is merely a deep-water form of the K. limonitella. In general, deep water specimens of gastropods have a tendency to develop stronger and more knobby sculpture than shallow water, intertidal forms. Records HMNS survey collection: 36 lots of which 5 contain live-collected material. Depth range: 9-50 fms; alive 27 fms. Geographical range: "North Carolina to both sides of Florida." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 7.7 mn. (To be continued) BIBLIOGRAPHY Abbott, R. Tucker. 1974. American Seashells. 2nd Edition. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. 663 pp. Bartsch, P. 1934. New mollusks cf the family TURRITIDAE. Smithsonian Mus. Coll. 91(2): 1-29. 8 plts. Bartsch, P., and H. Rehder. 1939. New turitid mollusks from Florida. Proc.” U.s- Nat." Bus. 97(3070): 127-138. 1 plt. —_—onen, WwW. J., and R. D. Turner. 1950. The western Atlantic mollusks described by cC. B. Adams. Occasional Papers on Mollusks. Mus. Comp. Zool., Harvard University. 1(15): 233-403. plts. 29-49. ari, Wo H. 1889. A preliminary catalogue of the shell bearing marine mollusks and brachiopods of the South Eastern Coast of the United States, with illustrations of many species. Bulletin 37. U.S. Nat. Mus. 221 pp. DeJong, K. M., and H. E. Coomans. 1988. Marine gastropods from Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire. Studies of the fauna of Curacao and other Caribbean Islands. 69(214): 261 pp. 47 plts. 63 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 Fargo, W. G. E953. In: Olsson, A. A., and A. Harbison (eds. ) Pliocene mollusca of southern Florida. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phil. Monograph 8. 457 pp. 65 plts. Maes, V. O. 1983. Observations on the systematics and biology of a turrid gastropod assemlage in the British Virgin ‘Islands. Bulid....Mar. Scis.33: 305=335. MeLean, -J..,H. -1971. In: Keen, M. Sea Shells of Tropical West America. 2nd Edition. Stanford University Press. pp. 686-766. Perry, L. M., and J. S. Schwengel. 1955. Marine shells of the western coast of Florida. Paleontological Research Institution. ithaca, New York. - 318 pp. 55 pres. Rios, E. C. 1985. Seashells of Brazil. Fundacaocidade do Rio Grande, Museu Oceanografico. 328 pp. 102 plts. Sutty, L. 1986. Sea Shell Treasures of the Caribbean. E. P. Dutton, New York. 128 pp. Vokes, H. E., and E. H. Vokes. 1983. Distribution of Shallow Water Marine Mollusca, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Middle America Research Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans’:')\Publication 54. s183¢pps 50:\plts: Woodring, W. P. 1528 . Miocene mollusks from Bowden, Jamaica. Part 2, Gastropods and discussion of results. Contributions to the Geology and Paleontology of the West Indies, Carnegie Institute, Washington, D. C., Publication NosA3eS 2.7 S64uppin?4Orplts< 64 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 Modern and Late Holocene Gastropods from Dundee State Fish Hatchery, Archer County, Texas Raymond W. Neck Houston Museum of Natural Science One Hermann Circle Drive Houston, Texas 77030 The Rolling Plains of North Central Texas form a broad swath of relatively featureless plains that stretch between the High Plains of the Texas Panhandle and the Western Cross Timbers area, which runs southward from the Red River through the Weatherford area towards Comanche. Prior to wide-scale agriculture in the form of both farming and ranching, the rolling Plains area was covered with mid-grass prairie dominated by little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), side-oats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), and a variety of other native species. Woody plants were’ generally restricted to terrace soils along the margins of various watercourses where soil and water conditions as well as increased protection from recurrent fires allowed germination and survival of these species. This general area of dry prairies with extremes of temperature, both hot and cold, exhibited conditions that were favorable for the survival of only a few species of terrestrial and aquatic gastropods. Recent human alteration of the natural habitats has done little to improve the chances for survival of nonmarine gastropods, except for a few non-native species that are able to survive in urban sites that receive supplemental water. On 11 April, 1990, I had the opportunity to survey the Dundee State Fish Hatchery for gastropods. Below is a summary of the living and Late Holocene gastropods that were observed at this site. Study Site Dundee State Fish Hatchery is located on the left bank of the Wichita River immediately below the dam that forms Diversion Lake in the extreme northwest corner of Archer County. Located on Holocene terrace deposits, the hatchery land is largely occupied by hatchery ponds, associated building, residences, and working areas. Frequent mowing and past root-plowing activities have combined to prevent the growth of woody vegetation in almost all sections of the hatchery. Only a narrow strip of vegetation exists between ponds and along the boundary fence. Ornamental trees planted near buildings and residences include Texas Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata), honey mesquite (Prosopis 65 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 glandulosa). Plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides), American elm (Ulmus americana); and pine (Pinus sp.). A small portion of the upland terrace has not been root-plowed; this area is dominated by honey mesquite, Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense), silver bluestem (Bothriochloa saccharoides), lotebush (Ziziphus obtusifolia), prickly pear (Opuntia sp.), gum elastic (Bumelia lanuginosa), and various grasses and forbs. Beyond the boundaries of the hatchery, the riverbottom is dominated by salt cedar (Tamarix gallica), American elm, and prickly ash, (Zanthoxylum hirsutum). Several habitat types were sampled to determine the gastropod species that are able to survive the onslaught of natural and human factors that have combined to produce an area that is not conducive to the survival of either terrestrial or aquatic gastropods. Results and Analysis The existence of hatchery ponds would seem to provide a large amount of suitable habitat for aquatic species at the hatchery. However, only two species were observed in these ponds; Physella virgata, which was common to almost abundant in localized areas of some of the ponds; and Planorbella trivolvis, which was rare in these ponds. A typical ratio of shells of these two species was 87 Physella virgata to one Planorbella trivolvis. The frequent draining of these ponds and the steeply sloping bottom that reduces shallow water areas to a minimum are two factors that limit the number of species that are able to survive in these ponds. Planorbella trivolvis was not found in the ponds in the eastern portion of the hatchery. Possibly, the few Planorbella trivolvis seen in the western portion of the hatchery actually traveled through the water distribution pipe from Diversion Lake. Survival of living Planorbella trivolvis in the distribution pipe over the extra distance to the eastern ponds would be less likely. The Physella virgata populations in the eastern ponds, and likely at least some of those in the western ponds, represent chance dispersal of a few live individuals on birds. Although located beyond the boundary of the hatchery, the Wichita River was also sampled. No living gastropods were observed in the river bottom. Variable water flow, controlled by releases from the dam, is probably the most important factor that produces an absence of aquatic gastropods in the Wichita River at this location. The generally low, but occasionally high, flows cause great variation in temperature of the water in the river and do not allow the establishment of aquatic vegetation. Periodic 66 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 high flows would flush individual snails downstream as well as dramatically rearrange the sandy bottom of the river. The narrow areas between the ponds support very limited grass cover that grows in the hard-packed clay or silty-clay soils. The only terrestrial gastropod observed in these areas was Polygyra texasiana. This species is widespread through much of eastern and central Texas and is able to survive in a wide variety of habitats as long as moisture is available or sufficient cover objects to conserve limited moisture are present. The occurrence of a very few shells of this terrestrial gastropod indicates that a very low- density, and perhaps periodically extirpated, population of Polygyra texasiana occurs at this site. The upland area in the eastern portion of the hatchery was root-plowed in 1977. Limited woody vegetation has been able to re-colonize this area, but downed mesuqite trunks are present and would be expected to provide cover. for terrestrial gastropods. Survey of this area revealed the presence of two species of terrestrial gastropods: Polygyra texasiana and Catinella vermeta. Polygyra texasiana was found to be scattered throughout the site but was not abundant. Catinella vermeta was present only in very localized areas of suitable habitat, but was very common in these restricted areas. The brushy area between the hatchery fence and the Wichita River was also surveyed for gastropods. Short woody plants produced limited amounts of leaf litter that does not accumulate due to high winds and periodic high water flows. The only snail located in this area was a single living Cantinella vermeta that was found on a concrete drain that receives runoff water from the ditch along the highway. This snail is probably a representatiave of a population that occurs locally along the margins of this roadside ditch. In addition to the survey for living gastropods at this site, a survey for Holocene fossils was conducted along the eroded faces of terraces in this area. Three areas of slight concentration of fossil shells were observed. Each of these concentrations was associated with a barely discernible darker area of sediment. These fossil concentrations appear to represent floodplain ponds that developed when this terrace was being deposited, possibly 1000 years ago. The absence of dark organic layers indicates either the ephemeral nature of these ponds or the low levels of organic matter that were available to accumulate in these ponds. A few of the shells have fresh- appearing periostracum, indicating that the sediment has not been saturated for long periods of time following deposition of these layers. 67 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 The three fossil concentrations contained four species of gastropods, two terrestrial and two aquatic. species represented include Planorbella trivolvis, Fossaria bulimoides, Cantella vermeta, and Polygyra texasiana. No shells of Physella virgata were observed in these deposits. Planorbella trivolvis would have lived in the deeper portions of these probably very shallow ponds, whereas Fossaria bulimoides (also an aquatic species). would have lived in the shallow margins of the pond as well as crawling out of the water on the saturated terrestrial habitat that surrounded these ponds. Cantinella vermeta would have lived under cover objects in the area immidiately marginal to the pond. Polygyra texasiana would have lived slightly upslope under cover objects that were above the periodically saturated terrestrial margin of the pond. The presence of Planorbella trivolvis indicates that these water bodies were likely permanent floodplain ponds, although the periodic desiccation of these areas may have occurred during particularly dry periods. The absence of Physella virgata may be an indication of the absence of tree branches and other suitable firm substrates that may be required for oviposition sites for this species. Therefore, the lack of dark organic layers associated with these pond deposits is due to the scarcity of original organic matter in these relatively permanent floodplain ponds. Summary The limited number of species and individuals of terrestrial and aquatic gastropods at Dundee State Fish Hatchery indicates that the general environmental conditions of this area have been harsh towards nonmarine gastropods for a long time. The occurrence of Planorbella trivolvis and Fossaria bulimoides in the Late Holocene pond deposits relflects the general greater abundance of surface moisture that was present in this area. This greater amount of effective moisture could be a reflection of increased precipitation or decreased evaporation, or both. 68 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 Table 1. Occurrence of nonmarine gastropods at Dundee State Fish Hatcher, Archer County, Texas. U= upland terrace areas; R= riparian (bottomland) area; P= hatchery ponds. Fossil Concentrations Living Samples Species 1 2 3 U R P Planorbella trivolvis X X X Xx Physella virgata x Fossaria bulimoides X Catinella vermeta X xX X X xX Polygyra texasiana X X X 69 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 THE SOLOMON ISLANDS (Continued) Deanna Smith and Cynthia Biasca [Ed. Note: This is a continuation of the article of the same title in the July 1991 Texas Conchologist. The trip was made by Deanna Smith, Cynthia Biasca, Ruth Goodson, all members of the Houston Conchology Society, and several other people. The editor apologizes for not indicating that the original article was to be continued, and for losing the continuation in the black hole of my word processor. ]} Sept 6. There was a spectacular sunrise as the boat started on its next leg; bright pink covered the clouds throughout the sky and was reflected in the water as the full moon set on the opposite horizon. Our passage was fairly rough as we moved along the coast of one of the Florida Islands, but we reached Mboli Passage by three o’clock. Mboli Passage divides the largest Florida Island into north and south, and we were at the northeastern end of the passage, with a small town and native high school on one Side and a native village on the other. No sooner had we dropped anchor, than boats began coming out to us with vegetables and shells. Before we could bring the shells aboard the boat, we had to spray them with insecticide or put them in ziplock bags, to keep the boat free of roaches. We did this with any shells we bought from the natives. On the rear platform, all vegetables bought in route were carefully washed and examined for roaches. Today, the divers found 5 Conus ammiralis, 3 Murex nigrospinosus in perfect condition and many other goodies. We paid $4.00 for the C. ammiralis. Sept. 7. It began to rain about 5:30 a.m., but the sun came out strongly afterward. It was hot and humid. Four of the group went reef walking. All of us had ‘some coral cure during the trip. We moved from the mouth of the Mboli Passage into mid passage and anchored. A native Brian knew came on board and stayed a long time. Birds were flying all around and their songs filled the air. Cynthia boiled some shells (bivalves). Brian dove again that night and found enough Cypraea eburnea, C. bregeriana, and Diminovula bimaculata among other things. Sept. 8. It was very still and hot in mid-passage. Phyllis, Deanna and Cynthia took turns sitting on the back platform shaking helmets in and out of the water until we got all the livers out. It took a long time of swishing and shaking. We started the boat and went a short way along the passage until we came to a water pipe standing upright in the passage, continuously spewing forth a great amount of fresh water. The story is that American G.I.’s in W W II found a spring high on the hillside above the passage, in a 70 ans CONLMOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2),..dJanuary, 1992 cave, and dammed the front of the cave and put a pipeline down to the passage. There it has continued to put forth fresh water for these 48 years. (They left a date in concrete at the dam). Our boat pulled close and the crew attached a hose to it to fill the drinking water tank and all the jugs. Water still flowed out at the same time and we washed and rinsed our hair under the spout. A canoe came up with a gorgeous basket coral that Phyllis bought. Brian went off in the dinghy to dive for oysters. Soon a Japanese tuna boat pulled up to the waterhole. We quickly started the motor and pulled aside until Brian came back and sailed the boat through the rest of the passage to Gavutu Island. Here we could see evidence of W W II bombing raids. Close by was the town of Tulage, prominent in the war and once the capital of Solomon Islands. Brian made another dive at night collecting mostly Spondylus. Sept. 9. Brian started the boat about 4:30 a.m., using sail part of the way as we made the last run back to Guadalcanal. We arrived about 8 a.m. After breakfast, Brian dove and brought up some good shells. Every one was on board for dinner, then left for the night. Even the crew went ashore for awhile, leaving seven of us sitting in the harbor with nothing in the world to do except listen to the music from the Hotel Mendana and thinking about all we had seen and done the past days. Sept. 10-14. We had a late breakfast and used the time to pack our shells. Brian had gone shelling the night before and he brought us a final collection of shells. We longed for the C. gloriamaris but he did not find any. We disembarked about 10 o’clock and went to the hotel. We had essentially five days in Honiara and we spent them shopping, touring the island by taxi, cleaning shells, walking about town, visiting the shell shop in Oid Chinatown, visiting the market, and going to an aquaculture farm where Tridachna are being experimentally raised. We packed our shells for the airplane and some how we got everything into our luggage. We flew from Honiara to Fiji. We had another stay at the Travelodge. The next day we spent a long time sitting in the lobby out of the way eating leftover crackers, cheese and fruit for lunch and reading. At last, the time came to go to the airport. We arrived back at Los Angeles 20 minutes early. We ended up with far more shells than WE EVER EXPECTED thanks to Brian and his ship’s helper, Kaumae. All in all, it was a fantastic experience. ae TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, January, 1992 VICE-PRESIDENT OF AMERICAN MALACOLOGICAL UNION A MEMBER OF HCS Constance E. Boone has been installed as vice-president of the American Malacological Union and will be planning the site and programs for the 1994 meeting when she will be president. She will elevate to President-Elect in 1992 and become president the summer of 1993. The 1994 meeting will culminate her year of presidency. At this time, she plans to present an agenda to the AMU Council in 1992 to hold the. 1994 meeting in Houston, Texas. Connie has announced that the Houston Museum of Natural Science will be the host institution, and she hopes to have the Houston Conchology Society involved. The AMU meeting will give members of our club the very best opportunity to meet with professional and serious malacologists from the United States and around the world. The AMU meeting consists of scientific papers, often in special symposia, an auction of books and literature, including reprints, and also some shells. Social events will be typically Texan, says Connie. There will be several field trips. Connie served as Recording Secretary of AMU from 1974 through 1989. There have been three AMU meetings in Texas: 1968, 1972, and 1979. There have been none in Houston. She feels that the museum’s holdings of research material from the northwest Gulf of Mexico will be of interest to visiting malacologists and that the growth of the museum makes Houston a logical place for the 1994 meeting. 72 HOUSTON CONCHOLOGY SOCIETY, INC. Officers 1991-1992 President: Mary Martin Program Vice-President: Constance E. Boone Field Trip Vice-President: Darwin Alder Treasurer: Elizabeth Gillespie Recording Secretary: Cheryl Hood Corresponding Secretary: Kathy Betley Directors Harry Sharp Bill Oakes Gary Olson Peg Demaret Lynn Blair Doris Herman Immediate Past President: Jean Holman Editor, Texas Conchologist: Richard M. Yuill Honorary Life Members Constance E. Boone Dr. Helmer Ode’ TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII , No. 2, January, 1992 TABLE OF CONTENTS SEARCH AND SEIZURE Diving in a Sub for a Pleurotomaria By Constance: Es. Boone: .) oc... taualet we ee RANGE EXTENSION NOTES ON A PTERONOTUS MURICID FROM HONDURAS By Leslie Allen. Crnkovic \- .). 5.6. Grlssteene ee MEET A MEMBER By Mary “Martadi ..\> ao aiies, ie ere ae DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO ~ (A Continuing Monograph: Family TURRIDAE, By: Helmer : Odes 27 5¥) a Wain: alas pat ie ie MODERN AND LATE HOLOCENE GASTROPODS FROM DUNDEE STATE FISH HATCHERY, ARCHER COUNTY, TEXAS By Raymond W. Neck: ‘s.0s.40)' a fale So ae THE SOLOMON ISLANDS Part II By Deanna Smith and Cynthia Biasca ... VICE-PRESIDENT OF AMERICAN MALACOLOGICAL UNION A MEMBER OF HCS Editor s e . e s . e e . e . . e e e . e e L 0/ CONCHOLOGIST V OLUME XXVIII, No. 3 ISSN 0885-1263 JUNE 1992 The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST is the official publication of the Houston Conochology 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 following months: August,September, October, January, February, March, April, and May. The meeting is held the third Wednesday in November. Meetings are held at Southside Place Club House, 3743 Garnet, Houston, Texas. Meetings begin at 8:00 pm. 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 cne copy will be mailed to a family membership. Dues extend from the begining of the fiscal year of June 1 through May 31. However, the July issue of the TEXAS CONCHOLO- GIST each year is the fourth quarterly due on the regular dues year begining June 1 of the previous year. Memberships will be accepted throughout the year but will receive 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 $12.00 Single membership $10.00 Student membership S$. 6.006 Single Issues S ae Extra sets mailed members $10.00 (Postage for overseas members required) Subscription $12.00 (Seamail $5.00, Airmail outside U.S., $8.00) EDITOR DISTRIBUTION EDITORIAL ADVISOR Richard M. Yuill Gary Olson Constance E. Boone 1230 Lake Estates Ct. 3706 Rice Blvd. Sugar Land, Texas 77478 Houston, Texas 77005 491-3842 668-8252 EDITORIAL STAFF Helmer Ode’ Marian Jordan Leslie Crnkovic 3319 Big Bend Dr. 7523. Croton 12667 Memorial Dr. 74 Austin, Texas 78731 Houston, TX 77036 Houston,Tx 77024 (512) 452-7794 The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST accepts contributions for publication from amateurs, 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 articles are welcomed. TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 MONOGRAPH By H. ODE’ DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA IN THE NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO (A Continuing Monograph) Continuation of TURRIDAE Subfamily MANGELIINAE Fischer, 1887 Genus Kurtziella Dall, 1918 (continued) 442. Kurtziella (Granoturris) sp. indet. A Many lots of this rather large species are in the survey collection. Its protoconch is quite small, the shell shape is slender and the frosting is formed by Closely spaced spirals of extremely close minute pustules. The sinus is wide and shallow and the color tan which darkens somewhat between the ribs. Most of our material comes from varying depths (10-30 fms.) from sandy and shelly bottoms along the Texas coast. One lot was rafted alive on shore on a _ whipcoral holdfast at South Padre Island and another lot comes from 60 fms. off Texas. Two lots are placed as another species because the sculpture of their whorls is completely different. Records HMNS survey collection: 20 lots of which 4 contain live-collected material. Depth Range: 0-30 fms.; alive at 9 fms. Geographical Range: Unknown. Maximum Size: 11.3 mn. 443. Kurtziella (Granoturris) c. f. padolina (Fargo, 1953) Granoturris padolina Fargo, 1953; Monograph 8, Acad. Bate Sele, ENil,,p. 394 pl. 23,. fig. 5, 5a. This material from off Galveston is smaller and more slender than previous species. It differs from it in that there are strong spirals, and the frosted effect is less outspoken. The identification is tentative. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 2 lots, no live material. Depth Range: 8-25 fms. 73 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 Geographical Range: only known from the Pliocene of Southern Florida and reported by Rios (1985) from Brazil. Maximum Size: 7.3 mn. Genus Kurtzina Bartsch, 1944 Small species, rather stumpy, strongly angulate with subdued frosted sculpture. In most species the protoconch is rather “small. Its last whorl (of 11/2 - 2 1/2) is rather swollen and cancellate. On the Texas-Louisiana shelf there is one abundant, but as far as I can ascertain, undescribed species. It has a somewhat larger protoconch than most other small Kurtzina. Since this species can immediately be picked out because of its shape and sculpture, I treat Kurtzina as a full genus. 444. Kurtzina sp. indet. A This small species resembles closely Kurtzina cyrene (Dall, 1919) of the Panamic faunal province. Fresh specimens are tan colored with a lighter white band over the keel at the shoulder. The suture is somewhat darker brown. In most specimens the color is completely faded and under high magnification it becomes obvious that the spiral sculpture is formed by quite thin continuous threads formed by low and connected minute pustules. Loose and individual pustules are only present at the suture. The sinus at the shoulder is wide and shallow. Previously I have reported this species as Kurtziella sp. indent. A (Ode’, Tex. Conch. Vol. 9). Most of our material comes from sandy and shelly bottoms off Galveston and Freeport, but the species lives along the entire Texas coast. Also on Stetson Bank and in the mudlump fauna. Twice collected from beach drift in Galveston and South Padre Island. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 53 lots of which 5 contain live-collected material. Depth Range: 0-71 fms. but most often between 11-40 fms.; alive 12-30 fms. Geographical Range: Unknown. Maximum size: 4.0 mn. Genus Kirtzia Bartsch, 1944 Kurtziella-like gastropods with a rather long, somewhat curved siphonal canal and outspoken surface sculpture of spirals and ribs producing a lattice-like effect. Rather large protoconch. 74 ZEXAS? CONCHOLOGIST, ...Vol= \XxXVIIL, No. 3, June, 1992 445. Kurtzia sp. indet. A A single lot of a rather worn and rolled specimen is tentatively assigned to this genus. Its siphonal canal is much larger than in all other related genera in our area (Crvyoturris, \ Kirezielia,.~ ctc:.) . In our only specimen the sculpturing is mostly worn away. More and better quality materials are needed for positive identification. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 1 lot, no live material. Depth Range: 11 fms. off Texas. Geographical Range: Unknown. Maximum Size: 3.8 mn. Genus Brachycythara Woodring, 1928 Small biconic shells with a short siphonal canal. Outer lip not, or hardly, thickened. In the Texas offshore, two species. 446. Brachycythara barbarae (Lyons, 1972) This species is common along the Texas coast in the 20- 30 fms. depth range and is quite different from B. biconica .with,. which it could be confused. True biconica (see pl. 32 in Clench and Turner, 1950) has a somewhat rounder shoulder and shows spiral ribbing on the body whorl. Our material is somewhat variable in several of the characters defining B. barbarae. The tip of the protoconch is not always free but sometimes slightly immersed and the rounding of the shoulder is variable. However, all our specimens are smooth and shiny when fresh. There is a light-brown, spiral band on the shoulder of fresh specimens. The species has also been taken on Stetson Bank, Claypile Dome, and once from beach drift at High Island, Texas. Also in the mudlump fauna. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 14 lots of which 3 contain live-collected material. Depth Range: 0-50 fms.; alive at 23-25 fms. on sand bottom off Galveston. Geographical Range: Florida Keys to Brazil. Maximum Size: 3.4 mm. 447. Brachycythara biconica (C. B. Adams, 1850) Mangelia biconica C. B. Adams 1850; Contrib. Conch., no. 4, p. 65: see also Clench and Turner, 1959, Occ. Pap. mori, farvard, Vob« 1{25). Bs. 260,» pl,..32, fig. 2. a TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 There are two lots of this closely related species in the survey collection. It apparently lives in the totally different environment of the calcareous banks. All our specimens are clearly spiraly striated and appear very different from B. barbarae. In particular, their spire is much more elevated. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 2 lots, no live material. Depth Range: 10-4 fms. Geographical Range: "North Carolina to the West Indies, Gulf of Mexico to Yucatan, 30 fms." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum Size: 3.4 mm. Genus Tenaturris Woodring, 1928 Somewhat ovate small gastropods with slightly sigmoid radial ribs and less conspicuous spirals. Protoconch consisting of two whorls. 448. Tenaturris bartlettii (Dall, 1889) Cythara bartlettii (Dall, 1889); Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoo. Harvard, Vol. 18, pp. 10, 101, pl.,.12, fig. 6722 fig. 5) os Only two lots of rather juvenile shells are in the survey collection. One was dredged at 51 fms. off the Mississippi Delta and the other was obtained at 36 fms. in the algael bio-thermal zone of Parker Bank. It was not found at any other western locations. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 2 lots, no live material. Depth Range: 36-51 fms. Geographic range: "South Florida and the West Indies; Bermuda", (Abbott, 1974). Maximum size: 3.1 mn. 449. Tenaturris sp. ident. A Another species is here with great hesitancy placed in this genus. Although we have several lots, no undamaged material is present. It would be possible to reconstruct the species from several of the larger fragments present. I have the impression that the complete shell would, to some extent, resemble the previous species but would be more slender. More material must be obtained before a more significant identification can be made. All lots except one were obtained from the calcareous environment of the offshore banks of the Flower Gardens. 76 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 Records HMNS Survey Collection: 4 lots, no live material. Depth Range: 12-24 fms.; one lot from 51 fms. off the Mississippi Delta. Geographical Range: Unknown. Maximum Size: Estimated to reach 7 mn. 450. Tenaturris c. f. inepta (E. A. Smith, 1882) Finally there is a third species, also exclusively found on the calcareous banks. Most material of it is fragmental, but fortunately a single well-preserved specimen was obtained at the West Flower Garden Bank. This appears to be close to T. inepta (Smith). This species is cited most appropriately by Rios (1985, no. 670) as “delicately sculptured axialy and spiraly", and was reported from Brazil. More material should be obtained to confirm our identification. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 5 lots, no live material. Depth Range: 13-51 fms. Geographical Range: Texas, "West Indies, North Brazil" (Rios, 1985) Maximum Size: 7.2 mn. Genus Oenopota Morch, 1852 Characterized by a large, somewhat papillate nucleus, which is smooth for about two whorls and is followed by one with spiral chords and many axial riblets. Thin-shelled, no apertural lip; shoulder de-emphasized. This is a cold water genus whose occurrence in the Gulf of Mexico was rather unexpected. 451. Oenopota sp. indet. A Some lots of this microscopic species have been taken in quite deep water off the Texas coast. Abbott’s figure #3389 (QO. decussata) resembles it somewhat, but our material is smaller. I have previously reported it ao. Beachycythara: sp. C. in Tex... Conch. .Vol. 9. Apparently this species is quite wide-spread because specimens have been found in many samples from deeper water. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 16 lots, no live material. Depth Range: 40-167 fms. Geographical Range: Unknown; off the Texas and Louisiana coast. | Maximum Size: 3.7 mn. 77 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 Genus Propebela Iredale, 1918 Small rather fusiform shells which live in colder water. The shoulder portion of the shell in this genus is de- emphasized. The only species in our material was a surprise. 452. Propebela sp. indet. A A somewhat slender shell with rather densely spaced but low radial riblets (see fig. 1). The nucleus consists of two glassy smooth whorls followed by a third one on which the radial ribbing starts. The vertical radial riblets are bent forward at the suture. Our only specimen was obtained from the mudlump fauna and it may be fossil. In-between the riblets are a number of weak spirals. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 1 lot, no live material. Depth Range: Collected at Surfside but the specimen probably lived at the 35-40 fms. depth range. Geographical Range: Unknown. Maximum Size: 6.3 mn. rig, ls Propebela sp. indet. A Subfamily DAPHNELLINAE Casey, 1904 Like the MANGELIINAE this group of gastropods is composed of Many species which until a few years ago carried the single generic label Daphnella. They are much more practically spit into various genera. They all have an important characteristic in.common: the protoconch is reticulated in a very special way with diagonally crossing grooves. Here are listed the genera: Veprecula, Daphnella, Eucyclotoma, and Pleurotomella. I believe that the genus Daphnella as used here, ought to be split further. 78 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 Genus Veprecula Melvill, 1917 Rather slender, mostly deeply sutured shells with an elongate canal and deep sinus on the _ shoulder. Radial ribbing is crossed by spiral chords of equal strength. In the N. W. Gulf of Mexico there are two species. 453. Veprecula morra (Dall, 1881) Pleurotoma (Drillia) morra Dall, 1881; Bull. Mus. Comp. gne. Harvara,; Vol. 9(2), p= 69, and “Daphnella morra, Met. 5 VOLPALS > *p.. (POS * pl: *12;,'f2g. 1. This wide spread species has been taken all along the Texas coast, mainly on sand bottoms. Once taken in beachdrift on Matagorda Beach. Two were obtained from the shale domes such as Stetson Bank. The protoconch consist of about 4 whorls; the first is dome shaped, the second smooth, the third is faintly ribbed, and the fourth has only one set of clearly inclined ribs, not two sets of crossing diagonals. Often the protoconch is colored darker (reddish brown) than the later shell. There is a well developed sinus on the shoulder so that when the shell grows there develops a gutterlike groove along the entire suture. Rather variable in slenderness. A somewhat different species; it is much coarser sculpted, its suture is much shallower and the shell appears thicker. However, it appears to be connected by a series of intermediate forms to morra, for which reason I have not set it apart. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 22 lots, two of which contain live-collected material. Depth Range: 0-70 fms., but mostly between 20-50 fms., alive 5-40 fms. Geographical Range: “Off North Carolina to both sides of Florida, Texas" (Abbott, 1974) Maximum Size: 6.0 mn. 454. Veprecula sp. indet. A This small, possibly undescribed species I place in the Genus Veprecula. It has been collected from the calcareous banks and the salt domes ("18 fms. lump", West Flower Gardens, Stetson Bank and Sonnier Bank). It has the same general form as VY. morra, with similar sculpture but its riblets are crossed by coarse spirals. The color pattern is quite remarkable. The background color is light tan to grayish, but there is a peripheral band of snow white formed by white knobs on the riblets; in-between is a tan color. Brown flecks are distributed outside this white band at irregular intersperses over the whorls. The nucleus is dark brown contrasting strongly with the color of the 79 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 later whorls. In its very early whorls this species somewhat resembles D. corbicula but fully mature specimens are far more coarsely sculpted and of course the suture is much deeper, although not as deep as in V. morra. It is possible that this species could also be classified with D. corbicula in a separate genus. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 5 lots, no live material. Depth Range: 12-30 fms. Geographical Range: Unknown. Maximum Size: 5.4 mm, but fragmental material indicates a size up to 8-10 mn. Genus Daphnella Hinds, 1844 Elongate to ovate shells, whose body whorl is more than one half of the length. Often with color patterns of flecks. Sculpture usually of spirals with less developed axials. Protoconch typical for the subfamily and sinus often deep and adjacent to the whorl. There are many species but it is remarkable that for most populations density appears to be quite low, because of almost all species we have only one to three lots. Much more work on our material is necessary. 455. Daphnella corbicula (Dall, 1889) Daphnella corbicula Dall, 1889; Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoo. Harvard, Vol. 18; pp« 10, 103; pl. 14, £1¢g4 5% Only a few lots of this very beautiful gastropod were obtained. It can be immediately recognized by its extremely heavy sculpture formed by spiral keels and somewhat less strongly formed axials which together form a lattice pattern. In each square of the lattice, there is a fine reticulate microsculpture which under strong magnification can also be seen on the keels. The shoulders are broad and tabulate. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 4 lots, no live material. Depth Range: 51-55 fms. Geographical Range::" Off North Carolina to both sides of Florida to Barbados", 25-130 fms." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum Size: 12.8 mn. 456. Daphnella c. f. Margaretae (Lyons, 1972) Daphnella c. f. margaretae Lyons, 1972; Nautilus, Vol. 86. pe, 6s We have only a number of fragments in the survey collection, so that a definitive identification is 80 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 impossible. The fragments show brown flecks and a reticulate sculpture with a subdued beading where spiral threads and axial cross. All materials come from the offshore banks of the Flower Gardens and Claypile Dome. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 3 lots, no live material. Depth Range: 10-24 fms. Geographical Range: “Off Palm Beach to off Key West, Florida 35 to 85 meters", (Abbott, 1974). Maximum Size: The only complete specimen is about 4.5 mm., but fragments indicate a size up to 10-12 mn. 457. Daphnella retifera (Dall, 1889) Daphnella retifera Dall, 1889; Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoo. marvara, Vol. 18, pp. 10, 105. This thin-shelled, somewhat inflated species is the most common of a group of closely related species. It has a rather large, but also rather flat nucleus of 4 whorls. There are quite regular spirals, with in- between small and crowded axials on the whorls. Where spirals and axials cross there is a small bead. Earlier (Tex. Conch. Vol. 9) reported as Daphnella. sp. E, from off Texas and Louisiana in the mudlump fauna. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 8 lots, no live material. Depth Range: 20-55 fms. Geographical Range: "Off North Carolina, 49-63 fms." (Abbott, 1974) Maximum Size: 11 mm, but when complete about 12.5 mn. (TO BE CONTINUED) 20th ANNUAL COA CONVENTION The 20th annual Conchologists of America Convention will be held at the Marriott Resort at Sawgrass, PonteVedra Beach, Florida, July 26-31, 1992. A brief summary of events is: July 26: Registration, a bargain table, slide program "Shelling along NE Florida." July 27: Sales, raffles, silent auction, the Mini Shell Show, and educational shell programs. Party. July 28: COA Club sales, raffle, slide presentations, door prizes. July 29: COA sales, tour of St. Augustine, offshore SCUBA shelling trip, auction. 81 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, ‘Vol. XXVIII, No: 3, June; 1992 July 30: Sales & raffles. Three symposia: "Tying the Fossil Record to the Present," "Proper Strategies for Collecting and Curation," and "Eastern American Non-Marine Mollusks." General Business Meeting. Dealer’s Bourse. July 31: Dealer’s Bourse, shell ID clinic, Annual Banquet. Aug. 1: Field trips: shelling at Cumberland Island, or visit the Mollusk Division of the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, Florida. For further information contact: Charlotte M. Lloyd P.O. Box 332 Mayport, Florida 32267 (904) 246-0874 Ruth Abramson 7146 Altama Road Jacksonville, Florida 32245 (904) 724-0748 58th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN MALACOLOGICAL UNION The 58th annual meeting of the American Malacological Union will be held August 2-7, 1992, at the Hyatt Sarasota, Sarasota, Florida. Local assistance is being provided by the Sarasota Shell Club and the Mote Marine Laboratory. The meeting will feature contributed papers, bourse and exihibits, a collectors’ evening, : auction, banquet, and fieldtrips to marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats and a nearby fossil pit. Two international symposia are planned: Biology of Caribbean Mollusks, organized by Dr. Rudiger Bieler (Department of Zoology, Field Museum of Natureal History); and Advances in Gastropod Phylogeny, organized by Dr. Torrence M. Gosliner (Department of Invertebrate Biology and Paleontology, California Academy of Sciences). Additional information about the meeting and membership application can be obtained by contacting: Dr. Robert C. Bullock, President American Malacological Union Department of Zoology Biological Sciences Building University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI 02881 Tel. (401) 792-2372 FAX (401) 792-4256 82 TEXAS) CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3,. June, 1992 MEET A MEMBER by Mary Martin Meet Jim and Sandy Clark, Houston Conchology Members since 1976. - Sandy is a biochemist working at the Veterans Administration Hospital doing research on Hepatitis B. Jim is a petrochemical consultant with his own company. Jim does a great deal of work in Italy. They have 24 year-old twins, a boy and a girl. They also have two cats, Percy and Alphie, and an occasional house guest, Piggins. Piggins is an old English sheep dog. Jim is from Texas, Sandy from New York. They met at a bridge club in New York. Jim introduced Sandy to nature. They did nature trail walks for entertainment. Sandy was at a bridge tournament in Miami with a friend when she discovered sea shells. Her friend’s only reference book was The Shell by Abbott. Sandy purchased her first shell book at the end of that trip. The book was Abbott’s book on Florida shells and was purchased at the Miami Airport. The couple learned about the Houston Conchology Society in 1976, when they attended a talk by Constance Boone at the Outdoor Nature Club. Soon after that, Sandy found a right- handed Busycon perversum, live, and contacted Dr. T.E. Pulley at the Museum of Natural Science. They had an hour long discussion on the taxonomy of Busycon. Some research was done on Sandy’s finds, which are now on display at the Museum. Sandy was HCS Auction Chairperson in 1988 and 1989 and has been membership chairperson since 1987. She has also been a typist for the Texas Conchologist for two years. Jim has been a cashier for the auction several times. They both promoted the club at two Houston Gem and Mineral Shows. The Clarks have traveled to Belize, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Hawaii, San Francisco, and the Long Island/Cape Cod areas. Jim has also traveled to Singapore, Korea, and Japan. They have been most interested in the families Cypraeidae and Pectinidae, but Sandy is now interested in shells that have been self-collected by club members and that have collection data. They would like to continue their interest by trawling. They would like to return to Costa Rica and to travel to the islands off northern Scotland. Sandy’s best collecting story is a recent one. In December, 1991, she found an Amaea mitchelli at St. Joe Island on a shelling trip. They had had dinner the night before with 83 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol« XXVIII,#No. 3,,.;JUne,; 72992 Charles and Jean Roe and had mentioned wanting to find a mitchelli. The shell is not perfect, but it is in gece condition. Jim’s best collecting story is when he found a Charonia variegata on a HCS trip to Harbor Island in the Bahamas in 1990. Connie Boone had just found one, and within an hour, Jim found his. Jim did not flaunt what he had found until everyone else on the trip began to show their excitement. The shell was in perfect condition, although it was smaller than Connie’s. ; Their worst collecting story was the HCS trip to Belize in 1989. They had heard stories of the fantastic collecting in that country, but they found the shelling to be very hard work. There were not as many shells to be found as had been reported in the past. Another disappointing trip was to Little Exuma in the Bahamas. The seas were too high and snorkeling was not possible. They did find a good dredge pile though. Jim’s favorite shells are Cypraeas. This is reflected in the name of his company, Cypraea Consulting. Sandy’s favorite shells are bivalves. Sandy would like to find a Lyropecten nodosa, preferably in a nice, smelly, active scallop dump. Jim is happy to find any large, showier shells. Sandy would also like to find a perfect Amaea mitchelli someday. Jim and Sandy are very interested in play bridge. Jim isa workaholic. Sandy loves music and sings in her church choir. She is also very interested in spirituality and in social issues, such as the women’s movement and minorities’ Civil rights. 84 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 Sandy and Jim Clark at a Christmas Party for the Houston Conchology Society. S5 TEXAS. CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3,+ June, 2592 SEARCH AND SEIZURE BY CONSTANCE E. BOONE REVISITING GUAYMAS, MEXICO This account of my return to Guaymas, Mexico, and the beaches near San Carlos is strictly a report of my view of a fourth visit to the area after an absence of 15 years. rt reflects my dismay at the changes in the molluscan fauna and the destruction of favorite places to collect. Since I was the only one of the five from the club to make this visit who had been there before, the thoughts expressed may be different from the other participants who certainly had some joyous moments in collecting. This was an HCS sponsored trip led by Darwin Alder, our field trip chairman. I remembered wonderful collecting in San Carlos Bay. In January, 1978, my last time collecting there, there were still many _ cones, Turritella, Chama, olives, etc., available, even though the bay by then was already beginning to be rimmed with vacation homes. Now there are more homes, and more are being erected. The marina in the village is choked with boats of all sizes. The inner San Carlos Bay is being invaded with new construction of more boat slips, and the water is muddy. The tides were not as low as I had had in earlier years, but I had never been there in March, almost always in January. The rock rubble was covered with Theodoxus luteofasciatus (Miller, 1879), and there were certainly still Crucibulum, but many other shells I expected were not available. We did not snorkel there. Darwin did get three pair of Tellidora burneti (Broderip and Sowerby, 1829), dead but nice, probably flushed out by the nearby dredging for the boat slip. Lonnie Hood found a live Epitonium under a rock in knee-deep water. We then went to Estero Soldado, a favorite collecting station for me in other years. It still produced a multitude of bivalves being gathered for food by the natives. Chiones, protothacas, and Anomalocardia subrugosa (Wood, 1828) appeared alive and as fresh pairs to be collected. Dosinia dunkeri (Philippi, 1844) was everywhere. Helen Cornellisson happily came forward carrying two live- taken Cassis centiquadrata (Valenciennes, 1832). We all got this species, and we were very pleased. We did get Oliva spicata (Roding, 1798) and Agaronia testacea (Lamarck, 1811). There were Polinices in trails, two species. Lonnie and Darwin had been hoping for the pink Murex, Phyllonotus erythrostomus (Swainson, 1831), and I hoped to see Hexaplex nigritus (Philippi, 1845) at the Estero. The 86 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 first time there Darwin did manage to get one pink. On our second trip there Darwin, Lonnie and Cheryl Hood did find more pink. No blacks were ever found. They walked way down the rock beach on the south side of the Estero and managed to get just three Turritella gonostoma (Valenciennes, 1832), a shell I had collected every time in abundance at San Carlos on my earlier trips. Some small Melongena were found near the Estero mangroves. The second visit also produced a few Oliva incrassata (Lightfoot, 1786) and Olivella dama (Wood, 1828). My first collecting trip there was made in 1969, and "Catch 22" was being filmed in the hills above San Carlos. We drove up there because a road had been made so that you could get to the outer Gulf of California beaches. We found lovely coves and wide sand beaches, with rocky areas at each end. Collecting was very fine for cones, muricids, cowries, and small shells under the rocks. This time we found many new fancy resorts and marinas, and while the coves were still lovely, the shelling was quite poor. There were plenty of Thais of several species, and there was an abundance of Astraea ungquis (Wood, 1828) and Turbo fluctuosus Wood, 1828. Many Conus nux Broderip, 1833 were found feeding on algae. A few Conus princeps Linnaeus, 1758 were found. Darwin and I got some epitoniums. There were a number of chitons. If I came home with anything new for me at all, it was in one of the coves that I found a few micro pink animals that have tiny limpet-like shells I haven’t looked at these yet, and as I write this they are still in alcohol. Bat: ) E:sdo not remember ever seeing anything like this before. There were gorgeous "fields" of orange and yellow Wildflowers in bloom in March. We enjoyed these offerings of early spring. Huge cactus are everywhere, some in bloom. We stayed at the Shangrila Trailer Courts and Resort in San Carlos, and our cabins were on the high peninsula with our balconies overlooking the cove. Below us we could see the cliffs and tide pools. Darwin headed there almost immediately, and Darwin, Lonnie, and Cheryl collected and snorkeled there several times. I also gingerly climbed down the steep steps one day to look over the material in the tide pools. I would say that Darwin was the luckiest collector. He collected two live Cassis coarctata (Sowerby, 1825). Did anyone here in Houston hear his cry of triumph? Some Purpura pansa (Gould, 1823) were found on the cliffs also. On the outside of the peninsula, on San Francisco Bay, we sought live Jenneria and Trivia in vain. This had been a favorite spot for me before to seek minute species such as 87 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 Caecum and Vitrinellidae. This time I found none, and debris under rocks yielded only specimens of Rissoina. There were small Morula and columbellids, but these were not in abundance as before. I found no Typhis this time. We went in to visit Mrs. Mary Ricaud at her shell shop in Guaymas. She said the decline in intertidal mollusks began some six years ago. We moaned a bit and wondered where we could go next. She suggested we try Cochorit beach below Guaymas. I had been there before and had mentioned this to our group, but so many places I had loved were less productive that I hesitated to insist we go to this beach. We did go and found it interesting and productive for some desirable shells. It is a wide, long, sand beach and known for having Pitar lupanaria (Lesson, 1830) wash up there in some abundance. We did all get specimens, and I got to dig my first live one--OH HAPPY DAY. Darwin worked the upper tidal area and got some nice pairs of the beautiful lacy Chione gnidia (Broderip and Sowerby, 1829). I was happy to collect live Strombus gracilior Sowerby, 1825 found in the surf zone just as you find the similar Atlantic species of this small, red, fighting conch. Everybody got some. Helen collected a gallon of the large Donax punctatostriatus (Hanley, 1843); Cheryl collected a live Architectonica nobilis. We all found a few live pink Murex; I really suspect they were escapees. Please read on. Part of the fun of this beach was to be there when the fishermen came in with their loads of pink Murex. You simply can’t imagine how many we saw in the boats that came in that morning. The shells were hauled up in crates and carried to boiling pots where they were set in nets (so they could be lifted out easily) to be cooked. They were then deposited on a wide table where a crew of about six fishermen and helpers quickly removed the animals (with operculums intact) and put the meat in pans and the shells in another. The meat would eventually go to restaurants, and the shells might end up in a roadside stand or shell shop in the States. Since the shells sell for very little in the States and the wholesaler charges very little to his outlets, it is my feeling that the fishermen must just get pennies for each shell. The shells were washed a bit, but I understand that often the shells arrive at _ stateside wholesalers with "livers" sometimes still in the shells and with dirty exteriors which mean the middleman then has to do cloroxing, etc., before he can send them out, adding to the costs. We sat with the fishermen to see just what else would be in the mass of Murex. There were Murex ruthae (E. H. Vokes, 1938) the new name for what we have always known as Murex elenensis but which now Dr. Emily Vokes says occurs only from Ecuador to Costa Rica. There were a few hermit-crabbed Polinices, a small amount of Cantharus, and a number of 88 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 Cancellaria cassidiformis Sowerby, 1832. I wondered about these last shells in the catch, but I have learned already from a friend that in the Philippines Cancellaria are known ‘to feed on Murex. Anyway, this beach was interesting enough so that three of us returned another day. That time we did get more Pitar, including Pitar roseus (Broderip and Sowerby, 1829) for me. I guess the fishermen had brought in Argopecten circularis for food as we found pairs and many singles on the beach. We were there when the boats came in so we got to talk to the fishermen again and see their circular, accordion- pleated nets that they bait with strips of fish and fish heads and sink in the deeper waters offshore where the colonies of Murex must live. They set these out every afternoon and go retrieve them in the mornings. We were told they go out every day if the waters are not rough. I had seen this kind of operation once in Mulege on Baja California, but I’ve never seen these concertina expandable nets. Among the thousands upon thousands of pink Murex we saw, a few were the albino and "lipstick" varieties (the aperture edged in red with the rest white). We managed to acquire some of these. Since I go with the idea of learning anything I don’t know about the areas, especially about marine life, it was interesting to visit an oyster farm at the Estero and find they were raising the Japanese oyster, Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793), which is farmed so _ successfully in Washington State. I also had found such a farm of this species in Chile in 1986! And so, also, we went to another haunt of mine in past years--the fertilizer plant where boatloads of trash fish are deposited and where shells are sometimes found dumped or offered for sale. This time we found nothing, even though we sent our leader out to talk to several employees there. Darwin speaks fluent Spanish, which certainly beats my Tex- Mex, so he was always elected to go do this "dirty work." Anyway, we never found anyone interested in selling us shells there, and even the workers at the docks had very, very little, and it was exceedingly poor material! Once Barbara Hudson and I stood by the conveyor belt at the fertilizer plant and waited for the workers to separate out a few shells and toss them down to us. The days of when Captain Luna was bringing in baskets of dredged shells is long gone. He is retired. Our last full day in Mexico, we decided to travel to Kino Bay where I had never collected. I hoped to be able to do so, but we really had no real chance to do this. The tide 89 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 so, but we really had no real chance to do this. The tide was never low enough while we were there. We located the estero there, and we went to San Nicholas beach, but we found no shells to get to easily, and nothing was on the rocks except Nerjita and Thais. Nevertheless, the trip was not lost, as far as I was concerned. We were there when the shrimp boats came in with their bounty of shrimp and fish. The local people were waiting with a variety of containers to purchase fish and shrimp. There were no shells. However, in the little stands we saw small mounds of bivalves and asked about where they were found and were directed to the estero. Although the tide was too high, we did get to see something interesting. A boatload of gunny sacks loaded with something came in, and I immediately thought shells. Darwin was directed to ask the man what they were loading on a truck. He showed us. The sacks were filled with dried holuthurians, or sea cucumbers, bound for the markets in Japan! In all, we collected at least 85 species of live mollusks and some 15 or more identified dead species. We purchased some 10 other species from the fishermen. It was not a dry run, aS you can see, but the areas have definitely changed in the last 15 years. I once recorded 200 species from a week’s stay. We all thought the trip was a pleasant one. We had a van and could explore, and we had a great place (inexpensive) to stay. Unfortunately, we did find out that the trailer court will be sold, and we heard that a hotel would be built on "our" peninsula where we saw such wonderful sunrises and sunsets and where our view of "goat tits" peak was spectacular. 90 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 Figure 1. The outboard motor boat is loaded with thousands of pink Murex as brought in at Cochorit Beach, near Guaymas, Mexico, in March, 1992. The collapsed "accordion" traps are in front. I estimate the few boats we saw brought in at least 150,000 specimens a month. Figure 2. The fishermen boil the shells and helpers sit around a table and separate the meat for _ food (Operculums attached) and shells for commercial sales. 91 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 Molluscan Shells from 41TV1181: Cultural Implications and Environmental Reconstruction Raymond W. Neck Houston Museum of Natural Science One Hermann Circle Drive Houston, Texas 77030 Molluscan- shells that had been recovered from an archeological site, 41TV1181, were provided to this author for identification and interpretation. This site is located above and lateral to modern Lake Austin, the historically impounded valley of the Colorado River in Travis County, Texas, upstream from Austin. The purpose of this analysis was to provide information on possible human utilization of molluscan shells and/or flesh and to provide any indications of the environmental conditions experienced by the prehistoric inhabitants of this site. Results Shell counts are presented in Tables 1 and 2. All freshwater mussels recovered are native to the Colorado River. The thickness of the shells indicates that calcium carbonate was abundant in the water and/or food of these organisms. The few terrestrial gastropods represented in this sample are native to this portion of Central Texas. The relative paucity of gastropod shells probably reflects the sampling technique. These samples contain. shell material that remains after soil samples are screened through quarter-inch hardware cloth. Smaller items, which include most terrestrial gastropods of this area, fall through the screening material. The shell material from 41TV1181 is well-preserved and unburned except for a few fragments of freshwater mussels in level 7 of test unit #1. Shells from lower soil levels have a noticeable calcareous incrustation, which probably was caused by increased periods of water saturation or different chemical environment in the lower sediment levels than the sediment environment present near the soil surface. A few mussel shells have holes in the central portion of the shell, apparently made by humans using some _ unknown technique or tool. One shell contained a hole just below the umbonal area that was created by rubbing the shell against some hard substrate. This wear pattern is commonly seen in mussel shells excavated from prehistoric sites in central Texas as well as sites along the San Bernard River in the lower Coastal Plain of Texas. 92 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 Human Utilization Freshwater mussel shells with holes present could have been used as ornaments--portions of necklaces or rattles. All shells with holes appear to be much too small to have been used as a hoe, a purpose that is well-known in the eastern United States (Sayles 1935: pl. XXIII, fig. f; Matteson 1953: 134, fig. 2) as well as in central Texas (Jelks 1962: 77). The mussel shell with the hole created by rubbing the shell against a hard substance does not provide the esthetic appearance expected in an ornament. A possible use of shells with this seemingly functional modification would be as net weights. Most mussel shells from 41TV1181 lack a portion of the posterior margin indicating that live shells were opened for consumption by the human inhabitants of this site. The abundance of small shells, especially those of Quadrula mortoni, in these samples indicates the likelihood of severe protein shortage, possibly only on a seasonal basis, in the diet of the human inhabitants. Flesh of freshwater mussels is known to be very low in protein (Parmalee & Klippel 1974). Freshwater mussels are easiest to collect during periods of low water, but low water periods may occur in any season of the year under present climatic regimes. Environmental Reconstruction Shells recovered from 41TV1181 can be utilized to reconstruct certain elements of the environment surrounding the site during the period of occupation, which is estimated at 3000-4000 B.P. (years before present). Very few gastropod shells were recovered from this site, but the available samples indicate woodland habitats. The small degree of lip development of most recovered shells of Oligyra orbiculata indicates a mesic microenvironment. A few shells of O. orbiculata from the lower levels provide a suggestion of possibly drier conditions, but the sample sizes available are small. The species of freshwater mussels present in these samples generally indicate a soft substrate with moderate to slow current. A few species that are typical of riffle habitats are also present, e.g., Quadrula aurea, Quadrula petrina, Quincuncina mitchelli, but shells of these species are not common in these samples. This mussel assemblage is more typical of the upper Coastal Plain area of the Colorado River below the Balcones Escarpment Zone than the limestone cobble/gravel area of the river adjacent to 41TV1181 prior to impoundment. Levels 7 and 8 of test unit #1 indicate more likely occurrence of riffle habitat than other levels. 93 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 This particular assemblage could have been derived from a localized area of soft substrate or may indicate a different river substrate than the substrate typically found in historical times. This latter alternative would probably require a different climatic regime from the present, but more data from several sites would be required before one could determine the relative validity of these two hypotheses. Literature Cited Jelks, E. B. 1962. The Kyle Site. A stratified Central Texas Aspect site in Hill County, Texas. Univ. Texas Archeol. “Ser: 5: f=115. Matteson, Max R. 1953. Fresh-water mussels used by Illinoisan Indians of the Hopewell Culture. The Nautilus 66: 130-138, 673 29-26. Parmalee, Paul W., and Walter Klippel. 1974. Freshwater mussels as a prehistoric food source. American Antiquity 39: 421-434. Sayles, E. B. 1935. An archeological survey of Texas. The Medallion, Globe, Arizona. Medallion Papers 17: 1-164. 94 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 Table 1. Molluscan shell remains recovered from test unit #1, 41TV1181. Soil Levee Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 as 8 9 Oligyra orbiculata 1 3 3 2 1 Rabdotus mooreanus 1 3 4 3 EI 6 9 8 Mesodon roemeri 4 Praticolella berlandieriana 1 al 1 Amblema plicata 5 20 1 1 6 4 Megalonaias nervosa 1 1 Quadrula petrina 4 Quadrula aurea 4 Quadrula mortoni 6 5 24 8 16 7 4 Quincuncina mitchelli Cyrtonaias tampicoensis 3 af 3 Lampsilis teres 4 5 Potamilus purpuratus 1 1 1 Toxolasma texasensis 1 canes | NFP Table 2. Molluscan shell remains recovered from test unit #2, 41TV1181. S65.) i.e ar eS Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 Oligyra orbiculata 4 2 2 4 Rabdotus mooreanus 1 4 5 8 7 2 Praticolella berlandieriana 1 Amblema plicata 3 Quandrula petrina 1 Quandrula aurea 1 Quandrula mortoni 12 19 17 Leptodea fragilis 1 Potamilus purpuratus a 2 95 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, June, 1992 BEACH FIRST AID NOTES The following safety notes were excerpted from an article in the Houston Chronicle, June 3, 1992. Jellyfish "To warn swimmers about jellyfish, signal flags are now being flown on Galveston beaches when infestation is especially bad. A blue flag indicates that potentially harmful marine life, such as jellyfish and stingrays, is in the water and that bathers should exercise caution. "Jellyfish stings are caused by the long tentacles that hang from the mollusk. [Ed. Note: actually a cnidarian, formerly called coelenterates] Pressing them can cause the tentacles' stinging cells remaining on the skin to 'fire' the venon. Don't even touch dead jellyfish lying on the beach -- the stinging cells are probably still active. "Tf you get stung, first splash the area with salt water. "The diluted bleach used in treating insect bites works well on jellyfish stings. Another traditional treatment is rubbing on meat tenderizer. Unseasoned is better because the victim doesn't smell like a Caesar Salad, but seasoned works as well. "First splash the affected area with alcohol or vinegar. Then apply the meat tenderizer. Make it sloppy. Don't press the skin. The pain should go away within 45 minutes to an hour." Stingray Wounds "To avoid stingray wounds, shuffle your feet along the bottom when walking in salt water. This will scare the stingray away and you won't step on it, which is how most wounds are received. "Stingray wounds require medical attention. The barb lacerates the skin, and venom contained under the skin of the barb is released into the wound. Intense pain is associated with the wound and venon. "After a sting, put both feet in very hot water for 45 minutes to an hour. Stingray venom is destroyed by heat. To prevent scalding, put both feet in the water, because the injured foot has difficulty determining the intensity of the heat. "Afterward, see a physician who will clean the wound under magnification." 96 HOUSTON CONCHOLOGY SOCIETY, INC. Officers 1992-1993 President: Mary Martin Program Vice-President: Peg Demaret Field Trip Vice-President: Harry Sharp Treasurer: Cheryl Hood Recording Secretary: Marian Jordan Corresponding Secretary: Kathy Betley Directors Bill Oaks Darwin Alder Don Oats Connie Boone Luana Huggins Carl Barton Immediate Past President: Jean Holman Editor, Texas Conchologist: Richard M. Yuill Honorary Life Members Constance E. Boone Dr. Helmer Ode’ TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXVIII , No. 3, June, 1992 TABLE OF CONTENTS DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA IN THE NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO (A Continuing Monograph: Family TURRIDAE, Part IIT) By Helmer Ode! 20. S.s-0. 6 & 3 @i= © =e 20TH ANNUAL COA CONVENTION. .~. . «© « «© «© © © © © © «© «© « 58TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN MALACOLOGICAL UNION MEET A MEMBER Sandy and Jim Clark By Mary Martin .. *2 46 02-6) elves), © hate, ieee SEARCH AND SEIZURE Revisiting Guaymas, Mexico By Constance E. Boone . . .« «6 © « 6s «te io) = MOLLUSCAN SHELLS FROM 41TV1181: CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL RECONSTRUCTION By Raymond W. Neck <. «(2 2 «© © i <«s)) » J. (on BEACH FIRST ALD NOTES «2. 3 6 o ©) 6 6S e = <6 oe VOLUME XXIX, NO. 1 ISSN 0885-1263 Ent HSON/AR way 17 1995 OCTOBER 1992 The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST is the official publication of the Houston Conochology 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 following months: August,September, October, January, February, March, April, and May. The meeting is held the third Wednesday in November. Meetings are held at Southside Place Club House, 3743 Garnet, Houston, Texas. Meetings begin at 8:00 pm. 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 to a family membership. Dues extend from the begining of the fiscal year of June 1 through May 31. However, the July issue of the TEXAS CONCHOLO- GIST each year is the fourth quarterly due on the regular dues year begining June 1 of the previous year. Memberships will be accepted throughout the year but will receive 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 $12.00 Single membership $10.00 Student membership $ 6.00 Single Issues $°2.50 Extra sets mailed members $10.00 (Postage for overseas members required) Subscription $12.00 (Seamail $5.00, Airmail outside U.S., $8.00) EDITOR DISTRIBUTION EDITORIAL ADVISOR Richard M. Yuill Gary Olson Constance E. Boone 1230 Lake Estates Ct. 3706 Rice Blvd. Sugar Land, Texas 77478 Houston, Texas 77005 491-3842 668-8252 EDITORIAL STAFF Helmer Ode! Leslie Crnkovic 3319 Big Bend Dr. 12667 Memorial Dr. 74 Austin, Texas 78731 Houston,Tx 77024 (512) 452-7794 The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST accepts contributions for publication from amateurs, 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 articles are welcomed. TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 1, October, 1992 SEARCH AND SEIZURE By Constance Boone BACKGROUND INVOLVEMENT OF THE HOUSTON MUSEUM NATURAL SCIENCE IN INVESTIGATING THE FLOWER GARDEN CORAL REEFS Exploratory expeditions sponsored by the Houston Museum of Natural Science in 1960 and 1961 to the Flower Garden Banks some 100 to 125 miles SSE of Galveston, Texas, provided answers to the mystery of coral reefs in the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico. Under the planning and execution of Dr. T.E. Pullery, then director of the Houston Museum of Natural Science and a professional malocologist whose special study was the Gulf of Mexico, the expeditions provided proof that living, tropical coral reefs existed in these offshore banks at the edge of the continental shelf. For half a century it had been known that coral and other tropical animals could occasionally be retrieved from the Flower Garden Banks, named that because of the beautiful tropical fish, coral, mollusks, and other marine animals that snapper and spear fishermen, divers, and occasional visiting scientists collected there. The question to be answered was whether the banks actually supported thriving, tropical coral reefs or just occasional, live coral heads. Dr. Pulley’s plans for the expeditions included the use of divers who could follow direction to survey the area, to take photographs and movies, and to bring back specimens for the museum. At that time, the museum was in a building program and dioramas of the marine life of the Gulf of Mexico off Texas were planned. Also, specimens were needed for the invertebrate and vertebrate collections of the museum. An ex-Navy officer himself, Dr. Pulley solicited and received cooperation from the U.S. Navy to use U.S. destroyers on training missions in the Gulf of Mexico to transport divers he would obtain. The equipment needed for such trips involved getting heavy marine equipment from other corporations in the area to recover coral and other specimens for the museum, as well as to transport aboard ship the compressors and decompression chambers needed for emergencies. The divers would be making dives to 100 or more feet. TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 1, October, 1992 These first two trips were made on the USS Wren, under command of C.F. Simonet. Some 30 to 40 fully-qualified divers from Texas and nearby states were selected to participate in each trip, all volunteers eager to help to learn the secrets of the reefs. Scientific writers were invited to come aboard to make reports. The Flower Garden Banks consisted of two coral reefs, designated as the East Flower Garden Reef and the West Flower Garden Reef. These two reefs are about two miles apart. Some connection with salt dome upthrusts, known as salt diapirs, in the Gulf is known. Dr. Pulley believed the reefs were probably no more than 5,000 years old. Large, closely spaced coral heads up to 10 feet or more in diameter were found on the submerged reef banks which rise to 55 feet from the surface. Specimens of coral were determined to be the same species that occur at similar depths thoughout the West Indies. Associated with the corals were fishes, mollusks, echinoderms, and other marine organisms common in the tropical waters of the Western Atlantic. The Flower Garden coral reefs were determined to be the most northerly situated, thriving coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. As a matter of fact, thses reefs are some 20 miles north of the Bahamian reefs. They are over 500 miles north of the coral reefs in the southwest part of the Gulf of Mexico. Reef building corals require highly oxygenated, high salinity sea water at depths of less than 150 feet and in regions where the water temperature never falls much below 68 to 70° F. The Flower Garden reefs exist in clear waters shallow enough for sunlight to reach the coral animals and where ocean currents exist also. The depths around the banks can exceed 300 feet. Cold northers on the Texas coast do not allow enough warm temperatures for reef building corals to exist in shallow water. In 1947 the steamship Atjantis of Wood’s Hole Oceanographic Institution surveyed the Flower Garden Banks and concluded they were fossil reefs which had been built during the last Ice Age more than 10,000 years ago when the Gulf of Mexico was more than 200 feet lower than recent times. Scripps Oceanographic Institution had dredged on the Flower Garden Banks and lost some equipment on the top of the reefs, thus not recovering material there, but did get TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 1, October, 1992 specimens of live mollusks from the periphery. No live corals were recovered. Thus was born the investigations planned by Dr. Pulley who concluded that human divers could help solve the mystery by careful collecting and examination of the reefs. Divers on the museum trips were requested to bring up samples of reef materials and were specifically asked to search for exposed rock. They were briefed on photography needed. Much publicity in local and national media followed the completion of the two museum trips. Not satisfied with his proof of the Flower Garden Coral Reefs, Dr. Pulley organized a third expedition in 1963 to explore Stetson Bank, some 30 miles nearer shore and a bank known to have some tropical fauna also. Smaller than the Flower Gardens, but rising to some 60 feet from the surface, this reef was known to support some coral also. Divers on this trip determined that this bank consisted of massive rock formations with almost no reef-building coral attached. Water temperatures at Stetson remain below 70° F during winter months. ** Other scientific investigations were conducted by other organizations in the next few years, including examinations by divers and also employing the use of a submersible. Throughout the years, Dr. Pulley continued to offer his valuable knowledge of the areas. In 1967, the Houston Museum of Natural Science began participation of other trips to the reefs as part of the Northwestern Gulf mollusk population survey to. obtain molluscan specimens for the museum collections. Directed by Harold L. Geis, with support and participation by Dr. Pulley, and with help from individual workers in malacology such as Dr. Helmer Ode’, then of Shell Oil Company, there were a number of collecting trips made with divers on USS destroyers on training missions. Some were to the Flower Garden Coral Reefs, and others were to other so-called lumps and upthrusts in the Gulf of Mexico. This survey also employed the services of federal and state fisheries and biologists who dredged samples for the survey. Local amateur malacologists pitched in to collect in bays and along shores of Texas to add to the survey material. ak Report of Dr. Pulley’s conclusions of the Flower Garden Coral Reefs in a paper published in the Bulletin of the Houston Geological Society, 6(4), 1963, pp. 13-19. TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 1, October, 1992 Some 25,000 lots of mollusks from the Northwest Gulf are now part of the Department of Malacology of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. (one lot may consist of one to 100 plus of one species collected at one date and at one locality). Many of the unusual (and even new to science) mollusks came from the Flower Garden Reefs. The material was sieved and worked to the most microscopic detail and is still being cataloged at the museum. Though systematically arranged and available to scientists for study, this material will require much more study. [Ed. Note: See related story on page 8] COA 1992 BY Lucy Clampit, COA Representative At the end of July, the Conchologist of America organization celebrated its 20th birthday with another great convention. It was hosted by the Jacksonville, Florida Shell Club at the Marriott Resort at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra. Florida. Conventioneers enjoyed a wide variety of programs as well as the annual auction, dealers’ bourse, and banquet with a very humorous side show presented by Russ Jensen. Field trips included SCUBA diving, a trip to historic St. Augustine, a shell collecting trip to Cumberland Island, Georgia and a trip to the Florida Museum of Natural History. Make your plans now to attend the 1993 convention. It will be July 11-17 in Panama City, Florida. The Florida Panhandle is a favorite shelling spot for many of us, and the hosting Gulf Coast Shell Club plans lots of field trips: SCUBA, snorkeling, beach walking, fossil, and fresh water. Most of 3 days will be devoted to collecting. The Edgewater Beach Resort will be convention headquarters. To save on hotel expenses, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom condos are available to share. Each bedroom has a bathroom, and each condo has a queen-size sofa bed, a kitchen and a washer and dryer. It will be a wonderful vacation! TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX No. 1, October, 1992 Don’t Fall for Appeal of the Banana Rasp Snail Raymond W. Neck Houston Museum of Natural Science One Herman Circle Drive Houston, Texas 77030 Have you ever wanted a giant land snail ffor. an understanding, low maintenance pet? Another molluscan invader has recently been found in the United States, although this particular species would not be expected to establish feral populations except in the most tropical areas. In Texas we have become used to the presence of many introduced land snails in our streams, yards, and gardens. The Asian Clan, Corbicula fluminea, is often the most abundant freshwater bivalve in flowing streams and wave-washed beaches of reservoirs. Most of these species were introduced accidentally with soil, plant material, or bilge water imported from various locations thoughout the world. Some species have been intially introduced as food items. However, a new invader is threatening tropical areas of the southern United States, and the method of intoduction is also new. You may even find one in a local pet or aquarium store. Such an animal may seem unexciting and is certainly not very "warm and furry." However, a recent shipment of crates marked "Reptiles" from Lagos, Nigeria, to the United States contained an estimated 1000 "giant snails from Africa." These snails were reportedly imported by a tropical fish farmer in Gibsonton, Florida, who did not know that importation of these beasts is illegal (Anonymous, 1992b). Subsequently, these snails were shipped to pet stores in 25 states from Florida to Montana. These handsome pets are about the size of a baseball and sell for about $10 (Anonymous, 1992c). A spokesperson for the Florida Department of Agriculture identified the snail as Archachatina (Calachatina) marqginata (Swainson, 1821). In Nigeria, this species is sold in the markets for traditional medicinal purposes (Parkinson et al., 1987). Abbott (1989) states that A. marginata is eaten by the people in western Africa and is used as adornments in ceremonial headdresses. Known as the Banana Rasp Snail, A. _ Marginata supposedly favor "banana groves, but love to feed on melons, beans, and other vegetables in their native West Africa" (Anonymous, 1992a). A. marginata produce elongated, lemon-yellow eggs that subsequently whiten with age. Clutch size varies from three to 16. Size of the egg varies directly with size of the snail. Small snails (70-90 mm in length at nine to 10 months Old) produce eggs from 10 to TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX No. 1, October, 1992 14 mm in length, but eggs smaller than 14 mm rarely hatch. Large snails (130-160 mm in length at three to four years old) produce eggs that range from 20 to 26 mm in length. Laboratory animals in London lived for an average of four and one-half years, but occasionally an animal lived for 10 years (Plummer, 1975). A. marginata was once discovered in Berlin in the 1930’s on a shipment of bananas from the Cameroons (Boettger, in Mead, 1961). A large number of Banana Rasp Snails have been confiscated from several Florida pet stores and one "pet owner" voluntarily surrendered a presumably beloved pet (Anonymous, 1992b). However, the potential for the establishment of this species in Florida recalls the establishment of the Giant African Snail, Achatina fulica, in the Miami area several decades ago. In response to a reporter’s question as to what the Giant African Snail will eat, Dr. Jack Burch of the Museum of Zoology at the University of Michigan replied, "It eats anything," -- house paint, dead rats, beer, etc. (Anonymous, 1992c). In June 1966, a young boy brought three A. fulica back from Honolulu and released these snails in his yard in North Miami. The snails spread all through his neighborhood and were well known by local residents, although the infestation did not come to the attention of malacologists and agricultural personnel until September 1969 (Sturgeon, 1971). A six-year program to eradicate this snail in the late 1960s and early 1970s cost $700,000 (certainly this would be a much higher figure in 1990 dollars). The eradication of A. fulica from the Miami area remains the only eradication of a major infestation of this species (Mead, 1979). Special Note: Is this a coincidence or not? The 2 June 1992 issue of the Weekly World News, a tabloid available in your favorite grocery store waiting line, had an article concerning Archachatina marginata (Paul, 1992). Reports from Liberia indicate that this species has been on a rampage, "devouring everything in their path including plants, women and children." Allegedly, 32 men, 21 women, and 36 children in the village of Kalabana alone were attacked and eaten as they slept. In surrounding villages, 103 other people and "dozens of horses, cows, pigs, dogs, and other animals" were killed. Police Inspector Zambou Retta was quoted as reporting, "They surround their helpless prey and close in for the kill. Nothing survives their huge appetite. I have seen the horror they have left behind." I have been unable to document such feeding behavior from the scientific literature. TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX No. 1, October, 1992 Literature Cited Abbott, R. T. 1989. Compendium of landshells. A color guide to more than 2,000 of the world’s terrestrial shells. American Malacologists, Inc., Melbourne, Florida, 240 pp. Anonymous. 1992a. Growers have new worry: Giant snails on the loose. Orlando Sentinel, 4 April 1992. Anonymous. 1992b. Giant plant-eating snails worry officials. Orlando Sentinel, 9 April 1992;. Anonymous. 1992c. These ain’t escargots. A slither of invader threatens the continental U. Ss. Time 139(18): 24-25. 4 May 1992. Mead, A. R. 1961. The giant African snail: A problem in economic malacology. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 257 pp. Mead, A. R. 1979. Pulmonates. Volume 2B. Economic malacology with particular reference to Achatina fulica. V. Fretter and J. Peake, eds. Academic Press, London, 150; pp. Parkinson, B., J. Hemmen, and K. Groh. 1987. Tropical land snails of the world. Verlag Christa Hemmen, Weisbaden, Germany, 279 pp. Paul, S. 1992. Two villages wiped out by giant killer smails! Weekly World News, 2 June 1992. XXIX, No. 1, October, 1992 Vol. TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, [-AzenqjZoues suTAeW TeUOCTRIeEN YUeG UspreDy ASMOTT ey} uo Aeq4sod e woryJ useyZeR sAnhty)] ‘“‘ooTtxeay_ so JInD5 ey ut seanqesey yueq prey ASsYyAO OF UOTRIeTSe1 uT syueg UspreH ASMOTYA 9yR JO uoTIeOOT ‘T “HTd ZMUIBIAA © skeq sey SJ#0H Zen @ * sjPoys odsiqQ sojn6ueu)® jawinzo9 y) sasajbul oourg, r, e Ja8y OAINN oloy oqeg eq Boy *seuaiy ofe9 ooidwey yueg aysedwey) 2 s. seinyoy ug ajjtASUMOIg Ug UapIeD yueg VApIeN nbn JeUnOy ISB] JMOL ISBAA 31D . ‘S «4 AA wi suyy snds UO}SBA|ES) a me 5s aA ejooesuad ne ® voisnoy TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 1, October, 1992 FLOWER GARDEN BANKS BECOME A NATIONAL SANCTUARY By Constance Boone The Flower Garden Banks some 120 miles off Galveston, Texas, have finally been made a National Marine Sanctuary, capping a 15-year effort to protect the two fragile coral reefs existing in the Gulf of Mexico. These two small reefs of coral are the most northern living coral reefs known in the Gulf of Mexico. Located at coordinates Lat. 27° 54’ N., Long. 93° 35’ W. and Lat. 27° 53’ N. and Long. 93° 49’ W., these reefs are considered a unique biological and ecological resource on the outer edge of the Texas-Louisiana continental shelf. They rise from water depths of 328 feet to crest at about 55 feet. The banks harbor the northern-most extension of typically Caribbean coral reefs and associated plant and animal communities. The sanctuary encompasses the no-activity zone authorized by the Minerals Management Service, establishing a 41.7 square nautical mile reserve. East Bank consists of 19.2 square nautical miles, and West Bank contains 22.5 square nautical miles. The sancturay will be regulated by the National Marine Sanctuary Program. An office will be established in Clear Lake this fall. Dr. Stephen Gittings of Texas A&M University has been named director and will be moving to the Clear Lake office. The following activities will be regulated: 1. Anchoring and mooring vessels; 2. Exploring for, developing, or producing oil, gas, or minerals within the no-acitivity zone; 3. Injuring or removing a sanctuary resource; 4. Fishing within the sanctuary; 5. Taking any marine mammals or turtles within the sanctuary; 6. Possessing a sanctuary resource. 7. Possessing or using any fishing gear, device, equipment, or means, except conventional hook and line gear, within the sancutary except while passing through the area without interruption; 8. Discharging or depositing certain materials; 9. Drilling into, dredging, or otherwise altering the seabed of the sancutary or constructing, placing, or abandoning any structure, material, or other matter on the seabed of the sanctuary. 10. Possessing or using explosives or releasing electrical charges within the sanctuary. XXIX, No. 1, October, 1992 Ve. TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Bhool Sele WSelZ ey Butjotdtp azeqsod e wozy ueyeq oanbty] [Azenqoues suTieW [TeuOTIeN YUeG Uepuey AEMOTY AzenjZoues [en}oe oy szeOTpUT seerte pepeys suUL uT uMoYs) sjoot ZebreT yonu sayA doje pejeosot oie (seeze pttTos) suoz AAtszeatp-ySty HutatT sus E86 9E-£6 8€.66 yueg uapsey JaMO}4 }SeJ OV £6 29066 2-86 Wr.£6 Bac] 9p. 66 99.66 yueg uapiey JOMO|4 ISAM 89-85 05-85 *saTiepunoqg * (93TUA 4 *BTg CS0£5 Sole Belz BS2L2 2912 10 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 1, October, 1992 Mooring buoys are already in place on both banks and are designed to allow boat operators to tie off their lines so they won’t have to drop anchor. Regulations ban anchoring by large tankers and other commercial vessels, but the buoys make it possible for recreational dive boats and hook-and- line fishing boats to stop over the banks without dropping anchors on the live coral. The two reefs are twelve miles apart and are home to shallow water Caribbean reef fishes and invertebrates. They are home to at least 80 species of algae, 253 known macro- invertebrate species, and more than 175 fish species. The reefs are also said to be significant habitats for lobster, snapper, and grouper. Manta rays, loggerhead turtles, and spotted dolphins are known to visit the reefs. The East Flower Garden Bank is a_e pear-shaped dome approximately 6.1 by 4.8 miles that rises to withing 52 feet of the sea surface. The total area of this coral reef at the crest is about 400 acres. The West Flower Garden Bank is oblong, roughly 6.1 by 3.4 miles, with the live coral topping the dome a little more than 100 acres and rising to within 66 feet of the surface. It is thought that the reefs have been forming over perhaps 10,000 to 15,000 years since the Ice Age. The Gulf of Mexico was once a shallow sea and subject to extensive evaporation, leaving salt layers over i60 to 170 million years ago. Internal pressures forced some of the salt layers upward in domes to form the banks. Then coral grew on top of the bulges. While coral cannot grow on our - shoreline because of the weather and water conditions, a warm current on the continental shelf area makes it possible for live coral reefs to be sustained. Almost all of the information presented here was obtained from a lavishly illustrated and explanatory poster of the new sanctuary. It was prepared by the Texas A&M Sea Grant College Program in cooperation with the National Marine Sanctuary Program and the Texas State Aquarium. The poster may be purchased for $3.00, postpaid, by placing an order to the Texas A&M Sea Grant College Program, P.O. Box 1675, Galveston, Texas ‘77553. A video of the Flower Garden Sanctuary may be ordered from the same address for $20.00 postpaid. 11 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 1, October, 1992 CHILLING THOUGHTS ON SHELL COLLECTING By Dorothy Samay So you thought philatelists were serious about their stamp collecting and bird watchers were sincere about bird watching. What of those obsessed, crazed ones bitten by the bug of entomology? It is said numismatists cannot live without their coin collections. Let me tell you, these aforementioned collectors are amateurs when it comes to the single-minded purposefulness of conchologists. True dyed-in-the-wool shellers think nothing of entering the Twilight Zone of a 90 mile per hour gale force wind in 20 freezing degrees below zero Fahrenheit, with a 20 ft. tide coming in, and huge ferocious waves vying with each other to reach shoreline first, while battling a windchill factor of 40°F, or so, with a smile on their faces yet. After all, they figure this may well be the day of reckoning for finding the first rare bonnet or perfect busycon specimen. Where do you suppose those extra warm, cuddly, bewitching $20,000 woman-that-becomes-a-legend furs are worn? Shelling, of course. Unless in the wintertime one is collecting shells near the equator, one must layer dress to the gills. A warm knitted hat, thermal insulated underwear and a couple of sweaters topped off by a 100% wool coat (or better yet, a woman-that-becomes-a-legend fur!), and warm, 100% wool pants over which are worn wader overhauls are de rigueur. (Remember warm woolen socks before the waders.) Topping the waders come sneakers, loafers, or just an old pair of sturdy shoes. If you don’t have waders, boots will do. Take it from someone who’s been there, light weight ballerina slippers will not do! Don’t forget warm gloves, and finally a scarf doesn’t hurt. Yes, shell hunting in the face of adversity has to be an example of man’s triumph over nature at its finest. Where else can you go bundled to the hilt to collect scallops only to hit paydirt with a true blue, or be it as it may, brown- white Busycon perversum, 90% hidden in mud, sand, and wet grass. When dug up and cleaned, oh how it shone and glowed to this shell fancier, as brilliant as any gem set off in exemplary fashion in Tiffany, Van Clef, or Cartier show windows. It is the end of the rainbow, the jackpot, Shangrila, the Holy Grail all rolled into one upon one’s first set of angels wings. 12 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 1, October, 1992 MONOGRAPH By H. ODE’ DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA IN THE NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO (A Continuing Monograph) Continuation of TURRIDAE Subfamily DAPHNELLINAE Casey, 1904 Genus Daphnella Hinds, 1844 (continued) 458. Daphnella c.f. reticulosa Dall, 1889 This species is closely related to retifera, but in many respects it is quite different. Its whorls are also inflated, but its suture is not deep. fThere are radial riblets on the first two to three whorls, and on the body whorl the axial elements fade out gradually. Our only specimen comes from Stetson Bank. Records HMNS survey collection: 1 lot, no live-collected material. Depth Range: 20-30 fms. Geographical Range: "Barbados, Lessor Antilles, 76 fms" (Abbott, 1974). Maximum Size: 8.2 mn. 459. Daphnella sp. indet A Only a few fragments are present of this species which is closely related to D. retifera. It differs mainly by having a much more elevated protoconch. From what is available of the whorls, it is clear that the surface sculpture is similar to that of yetifera but much more material is necessary to place this species with any confidence. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 1 lot. Depth Range: In 51 fms off Mississippi delta. Geographical Range: unknown. Maximum Size: not measured. 460. Daphnella c.f. cingulata Dall, 1890 Daphnella cingulata Dall, 1890: Trans. Wagner Free Inst Bay, VOGer o>. DALL.. 1, Bac SOs Pises. LAG. 2% 13 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 1, October, 1992 This large and beautiful species is characterized by its strong spiral sculpture which is dominant. There are small bumps on these spirals which line up along very much suppressed axial riblets. This is not a thin shell species like retifera or sp. indet A. Near the apex on the first three whorls are some ill-defined axial riblets. For this and other related species, more material is needed to establish the range of variability which cannot be determined from two or three lots. The color pattern is soft tan with brown irregular flecks in one_- specimen. Obtained off Freeport, Tx., and Cameron, La., and from Parker Bank. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 3 lots, all rather fresh shells. Depth Range: 25-50 fms. Geographical Range: described from the Pliocene of Southern Florida. "West Indies, North Brazil" (Rios, 1985). Maximum Size: 15 mn. 461. Daphnella c.f. eugrammata Dall, 1903 Daphnella eugrammata Dall, 1902; Proc U.S. Nat.Mus , VoL.) 24-2264) ," pp: S039 pls*29, fig: F- This is the last of this group of rather similar but still in many respects very different species. It has well developed wave-like axial ribs on the upper whorls which diminish on the body whorl. The spiral sculpture is coarser than on all other similar Daphnella species mention here. The sinus is deep and the protoconch quite small. The color is a uniform light brown. Our Single lot was obtained in rather fresh condition on Claypile Dome. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 1 lot, no live material. Depth Range: 17 fms. Geographical Range: "Florida Straits, 200 fms, 9 mm" (Abbott, 1974). Maximum Size: 7.7 mm. Genus Euryclotoma Boestger, 1895 Strong keeled daphnellas with a somewhat squarish aperture and small protoconch. 462. Eucyclotoma grundifera (Dall, 1927) Gymnobela’-(?) gqrundifera’ Dall ~“t9277;~Proc; Uce. Bar. Mus., Vol.~ 704- (13)4%No.” 26674" pe. 3,” 28. 14 TEXAS CONCHOLOGEST, Vol.‘ XXIX,‘No. 1, October, 1992 This fairly common species has been dredged at many locations on the Texas-Louisiana shelf. T “25 an easily recognized species with a well developed keel separating the shoulder from the lower part of the whorl. The whorls are sculptured by well developed spirals. On the early whorls there are, as in many daphnellas, small axial riblets which die out on the later whorls. In consequence, the keel on the early whorls is somewhat wavy and intermittently pointed. Found mostly off Freeport and Galveston from 23 - 50 fms. These depth records conform better with the data for E. stegeri McGinty, but the overall shell shape of our material is much closer to grundifera Dall (see Abbott, No. 3408). Earlier reported as Daphnella sp. E (Tex. Conch. Voli S)ji, Records HMNS Survey Collection: 10 lots, of which one was collected alive, living on a sponge in 28 fms, off Freeport, Teas. Depth Range: 23 - 60 fms; alive at 28 fms. Geographical Range: "Off Fernandina, Florida" (Abbott, 1974). Maximum Size: 12.3 mn. Genus Pleurotomella Verrill, 1873 Shell white, broadly fusiform with typical daphnellid nucleus. 463. Pleurotomella c.f. extensa (Dall, 1881) Pleurotoma (Bela) blakeana extensa Dall,1881; Bull. Peewee conp. Zool.) Vorl..'9; \Nose-2) ps. SS; Ibid. 1889, Vol! 28; up: 1265> pl. 20, figs 2,0 as Pleurotomella (Gymnobela) extensa. Only a single specimen of this very deep water species was obtained in deep water off Texas. It resembles the figure in Abbott (1974) fairly well, but more material should be obtained. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 1 lot, no live material. Depth Range: 140 fms. Geographical Range: "Gulf of Mexico and the West Indies, 640 fms to 1000 fms." (Abbott, 1974). Maximum Size: 3.0 mn. 464. Pleurotomella c.f. blakeana (Dall, 1881) Pleurotoma (Bela) blakeana 1881; Bull. us. Comp. seuss Oo NO. 2£,- DenS4. ) Alga. U.S. Nat. Bus. Bull. J Dim ty te 1st. DIN 46, fig.” @’es Pleyrotomella (Gymnobela) blakeana. LS TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 1, October, 1992 A single fragment may belong to this species. It was obtained offshore Galveston. In is not more than the entire shoulder girdle which is quite characteristic for this species. More material is needed to verify the correctness of this guess. Records HMNS Survey Collection: 1 lot, no live material. Depth Range: 25 fms. Geographical Range: "Off Massachusetts to the lower Florida Keys and Gulf of Mexico" (Abbott, 1974). Maximum Size: not measured. (TO BE CONTINUED) AMU TO CONVENE, CRUISE, AND COLLECT IN 1993 The 59th annual meeting of the American Malacological Union will be held June 21-25, 1993, aboard the Nordic Empress, stopping at Freeport, Nassau, and Coco Bay Bahamas, according to President Fred G. Thompson of the Florida Museum of Natural History. There will be terrestrial, marine, and fossil trips on the islands. A symposium featuring patterns of speciation in mollusks will be presented. Contributed papers on diverse aspects of molluscan biology will be presented as well. Billed as a very unusual and innovative program, Dr. Thompson said the low cost of $598.50 for an inside cabin and $675.00 for an outside cabin will make it possible for malacologists and anyone interested in mollusks’ to participate. An initial deposit of $100.00 is due by December 15, 1992 to Holbrook Travel, Inc., 3540 N.W. 13th St., Gainesville, FL. 32609. A call to this agency at 1 (800) 451-7111 will get you the brochure and registration information on this meeting. Or you may call Constance E. Boone, 1 (713) 688- 8252 in Houston. AMU TO MEET IN HOUSTON IN 1994 The 60th annual meeting of the American Malacological Union will be held in Houston Texas July 9-13, 1994, with field trips to be planned for July 14, according to Constance E. Boone, president-elect. A major symposium on the Gulf of Mexico will be chaired by Dr. Joseph C. Britton of the Department of Biology, Texas Christian University. 16 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 1, October, 1992 SHELL COLLECTING IN MY OWN FRONT "YARD" By Sandy Clark Those who know me well know me as an avid gardener. However, since we have moved to a townhome, my gardening has been restricted to flower boxes on my front balcony. A few months ago, I put in Lantana for its heat resistance, since I have a southern exposure. I obtained it from a nursery and so have no idea where the plants originated. After several days of heavy rain, I discovered some small, pretty amber-colored snails munching on my new plants. Closer inspection revealed lovely black markings and darker amber early whorls. I put the snails in alcohol and forgot about then. Weeks later, I decided to clean the shells. When I removed the bodies from the shells (which was quite easy), the black markings went with them, leaving translucent amber shells with darker apices. Later, I collected two more live specimens and kept them alive, on Lantana leaves. As the figures show, the black markings of the live snails show through the amber shell. The unmarked shells in the photos are empty shells for comparison. The best identification I can make is Succinea ovalis Say, although it is out of the range cited in the American Museum of Natural History Guide to Shells, by Emerson and Jacobson. Also, it is smaller since the largest specimen I have collected is only 12 mm in length -- most are about 5 to 6 mm. There iS no question, however, that the family is SUCCINEIDAE. If we ever get heavy rains again, I will look for more specimens, hopefully bigger ones. This is the first time I have ever seen this snail in our area and would like to know if this siting is unusual. Lz TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 1, October, 1992 HCS TO AWARD STIPEND FOR BEST STUDENT PAPER The following text is adapted from a letter from Dr. Harold Harry of the HCS Awards Committee: The Houston Conchology Society is pleased to announce that they will provide an award of $500.00 for the best student unpublished paper on the Mollusca of Texas. The paper may deal with systematics, ecology, distribution, life history, behavior, anatomy or similar subjects. The student may be a graduate or undergraduate and should be the sole or senior author of the paper. The application should be submitted by 1 May 1993 and the completed paper by 1 September 1993. Mail to: [SEE ADDRESS ON FORM BELOW] The paper will be judged by a committee and the winner will be notified in writing. Please notify any students who are interested in the Mollusca, and please post this notice on the bulletin board of your organization. APPLICATION FORM -- MOLLUSCA OF TEXAS $500.00 Award by the Houston Conchology Society NAME: ADDRESS: DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH: NAME OF SCHOOL: STUDENT CLASS.: GRADUATE ._: UNDERGRADUATE —. ®‘CLASS) MAJOR PROFESSOR: SUBJECT OF PAPER: Submit this application by 1 May 1993 to the president of the Houston Conchology Society. Ms. Mary Martin, President of HCS 9005-A Imogene Houston, Texas 77036 18 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 1, October, 1992 COLLECTING MARINE MOLLUSKS IN FLORIDA: RULES OF THE GAME By Bill Lyons [Eds. Note: This article is reprinted in its entirety from AMU News, Vol. 23, No. 1, April, 1992.] Shell collecting is recognized by the State of Florida as a legitimate recreational activity; but, like most other recreational activities, there are rules. Florida is among the fastest growing states in the nation. Hundreds of new residents arrive every week, and most of them settle near the coast, where they are joined by millions of tourists that visit Florida annually. Inevitably, such growth has brought with it increasing pressures upon the populations of mollusks, fishes, and other organisms that inhabit the marine waters of the state. Florida has enacted laws and regulations to manage and protect those resources, and fees have been established to help fund that protection. The following comments are summarized from Florida laws and fishery regulations and are provided to assist you during your attendance at the AMU meeting in Sarasota. If your plan to participate in a marine field trip or to take other opportunities to collect marine shells during the meeting, these guidelines will be pertinent. Following the rules can ensure that your trip will be more productive and enjoyable. A State of Florida recreational saltwater fishing license is required "to take, attempt to take, or possess" any marine fish for noncommercial purposes. Florida law defines marine fish as "any saltwater species of finfish ... and marine invertebrates in the classes Gastropoda, Bivalvia, and Crustacea, or the phylum Echinodermata, but does not include nonliving shells or echinoderms." The license must be in the personal possession of the person "taking, attempting to take, or possessing marine fish" and must be exhibited to any authorized enforcement officer upon request. Exceptions: A saltwater fishing license is not required for any person under 16 years of age; for any Florida resident 65 years of age or older; or for any Florida resident fishing in saltwater from land or from any structure affixed to the land. This last exception has been interpreted to include wading in water four feet deep or less that is contiguous to land. However, if you travel by boat to the place where you wade, you need the license. Likewise, if you collect while snorkeling or diving, you need the license. Members of the Armed Forces and Disabled Veterans may be eligible for other exceptions. i9 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 1, October, 1992 The bottom line: Florida residents do not need a license to collect live shells while wading from land, but nonresidents do need a license. Both residents and nonresidents need a license to collect living gastropods and bivalves using any other means of collection, unless they qualify for other exceptions. Saltwater fishing licenses can be purchased from county tax collectors or from other authorized vendors. We will attempt to provide a list of vendor names and addresses in Sarasota and Manatee counties at the meeting. Fees for Florida residents are $10 for a 10-day license and $12 for a l-year license. For nonresidents of the state, fees are $5 for a 3-day license, $15 for a 7-day license, and $30 for a l1-year license. The tax collector is also required to charge $1.50 to defray the cost of issuing the license. Feeling lucky? The civil penalty for a violation of license requirements is $50 plus the cost of the annual license fee involved in the infraction. That’s for a uncontested citation. If anyone chooses or is required to appear before county court to contest a citation and the infraction is proved, the courts may impose a civil penalty of up to $500. That would have made a handsome donation to the symposium endowment fund. Other things to remember: Florida marine fisheries regulations prohibit the collection of stony corals, sea fans (gorgonians), queen or pink conchs (Strombus gigas), long-spined black urchins (Diadema antillarum), and Bahama starfish (Oreaster reticulatus). These species usually occur in the Florida Keys, but strays are sometimes found off both Florida coasts. Look and enjoy, but don’t touch! A bag limit of two living specimens per day of any single species of mollusks or echinoderm is enforced within the municipal limits of the City of Sanibel, Florida. However, oysters (Crassostrea virginica), hard clams (Mercenaria spp.), venus clams (Macrocallista nimbosa), bay scallops (Argopecten jirradians) and coquinas (Donax spp.) are excluded from the Sanibel bag limit. Bag limits of 20 individuals per day are also imposed statewide on “marine life" for the aquarium trade, specifically including Spondylus americanus, Lima scabra, and Lima lima. Finally, live shelling is prohibited in state parks and marine sanctuaries. Local collectors should be able to tell you where shelling is regulated or prohibited. If you’re not sure, ask! 20 HOUSTON CONCHOLOGY SOCIETY, INC. Officers 1992-1993 President: Mary Martin Program Vice-President: Peg Demaret Field Trip Vice-President: Harry Sharp Treasurer: Cheryl Hood Recording Secretary: Marian Jordan Corresponding Secretary: Kathy Betley Directors Bill Oaks Darwin Alder Don Oats Connie Boone Luana Huggins Carl Vartin Immediate Past President: Jean Holman Editor, Texas Conchologist: Richard M. Yuill Honorary Life Members Constance E. Boone Dr. Helmer Ode’ TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX , No. 1, October, TABLE OF CONTENTS SEARCH AND SEIZURE 1992 Background Involvement of the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Investigating the Flower Garden Coral Reefs By Constance’ E..: Boone ssc ssi ss wl ee ee COA 1992 By Lucy Clampite ec il sa) oe worn San eee DON’T FALL FOR APPEAL OF THE BANANA RASP SNAIL By Raymond W.. NeGK.o..: aossin eh ie ot ee eee FLOWER GARDEN BANKS BECOME A NATIONAL SANCTUARY By Constance Boone. ose) is) sia) SP, ee CHILLING THOUGHTS ON SHELL COLLECTING By Dorothy Samay: of si shies ow ee ae a ee DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO (A Continuing Monograph: Family TURRIDAE, By Heimer Ode" 6. % Ls eres 2 SAIL 44 z ere Seseet me : j ars eon ' +5 rye S.3 DEVISION OF MOuLUSs FEBRUARY 1993 The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST is the official publication of the Houston Conochology 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 following months: August,September, October, January, February, March, April, and May. The meeting is held the third Wednesday in November. Meetings are held at Southside Place Club House, 3743 Garnet, Houston, Texas. Meetings begin at 8:00 pm. 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 to a family membership. Dues extend from the begining of the fiscal year of June 1 through May 31. However, the July issue of the TEXAS CONCHOLO- GIST each year is the fourth quarterly due on the regular dues year begining June 1 of the previous year. Memberships will be accepted throughout the year but will receive 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 $12.00 Single membership $10.00 Student membership $ 6.00 Single Issues $ 2.50 Extra sets mailed members $10.00 (Postage for overseas members required) Subscription $12.00 (Seamail $5.00, Airmail outside U.S., $8.00) EDITOR DISTRIBUTION EDITORIAL ADVISOR Richard M. Yuill Gary Olson Constance E. Boone 1230 Lake Estates Ct. 3706 Rice Blvd. Sugar Land, Texas 77478 Houston, Texas 77005 491-3842 668-8252 EDITORIAL STAFF Helmer Ode' Leslie Crnkovic 3319 Big Bend Dr. 12667 Memorial Dr. 74 Austin, Texas 78731 Houston,Tx 77024 (512) 452-7794 The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST accepts contributions for publication from amateurs, 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 articles are welcomed. TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February, 1993 SEARCH AND SEIZURE By Constance E. Boone NEW SPECIES OF MOLLUSKS FROM HMNS COLLECTIONS Two new species of mollusks have been named from material in the Houston Museum of Natural Science Northwest Gulf Mollusk Population Survey. Calliostoma scalenum and Calliostoma dentatum, small top shells in the family Trochidae were named by Dr. James Quinn, Jr. in Nautilus, Vol. 106, #3, August, 1992. ro dentatum is only from the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico in 15- 55 meters. C. scalenum has a wider range, from North Carolina through the Gulf of Mexico, but the holotype and Many paratypes came from the HMNS collections. "AS malacologists continue to study the very. special research collection of Northwestern Gulf mollusks housed at the Museum, more new species will certainly be named," says Constance E. Boone, Curator of Malacology. "The NWGS material consists of some 25,000 lots, with an estimate of 200,000 shells. No other museum in the world has this much material worked up from the Northwest Gulf." The holotype for C. scalenum is from Stetson Bank southeast of Galveston. It inhabits offshore waters on calcareous substrates and was previously identified as C. jujubinun, according to Quinn. He states it differs from C. jujubinum by having a larger protoconch. CC. jujubinum is a shallow water shell and has very dark-colored apical whorls. There are other differences in the threads and beadings. C. dentatum is small, attaining the height of 8.4 mm, width 7.4 mm. It is conical, with a flat base and is non- umbilicate and finely sculptured. The type locality is off Freeport, Texas. It is said by Quinn to be confined to the Northwestern Gulf from the Mississippi River to Port Isabel. It is usually found in 14 - 55 meters and differs from rr. pulchrum by having a larger protoconch and fewer spiral cord above and below the periphery. It has a different radula also. The descriptions of these new species are in Quinn’s paper entitled "New Species of Calliostoma Swainson, 1840 (Gastropoda: Trochidae), and Notes on Some Poorly-known Species from the Western Atlantic Ocean." The abstract states that twenty-seven new species of Calliostoma are described from the Western Atlantic. Changes’ in nomenclature and new records and observations are presented for some species. Illustrations of radulae for 13 species ou TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February, 1993 are presented. There are 106 black and white photographs of Calliostoma discussed in the paper. Figs: 3 Figs. 1-3. Three views of Calliostoma dentatum Quinn, 1992, newly named from the Northwest Mollusk Population Survey collection at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The small top shell measures 8.4 mm by 8.3 mm and was taken off Freeport, Texas. 22 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February, 1993 Figw 5 Figs. 4-5, Two views of Calliostoma scalenum Quinn, LODZ, named recently from the Northwest Mollusk Population Survey material housed at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. About an inch and a quarter in size, this mollusk was know as C. jujubinum until Quinn recognized that this shell found offshore in waters from 14-55 meters is a new species. 23 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February, 1993 A NEWLY-REDISCOVERED "OLD" COLLECTION OF NONMARINE MOLLUSKS FROM PALMETTO STATE PARK, GONZALES COUNTY, TEXAS Raymond W. Neck Houston Museum of Natural Science One Hermann Circle Drive Houston, Texas 77030 One of my favorite places to visit in the State of Texas is the Ottine area of east central Texas, in particular the area included in Palmetto State Park. Located in the post oak savannah of Gonzales County, this area possesses, or possessed, unique geological and biological features in comparison to the surrounding area. Much of the surrounding area is dominated by open post oak woodlands on the uplands and the typical narrow riparian woodland containing a variety of bottomland hardwood tree species. However, the area near Ottine possessed sulphurous warm springs, mud boils, and extensive swampy areas adjacent to the San Marcos River. Over the past decade, I have made several collecting trips to this site as my duties in my previous job with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department allowed me the time to visit this fascinating area. As is exhibited in the plant and animal life in general (Shearer, 1956; Raun, 1959), the terrestrial gastropods presented an interesting fauna that was quite different than the terrestrial gastropod fauna of the immediately surrounding area. I have not as yet published my overall survey of the local molluscan fauna, but other workers have published the results of their own or others’ collection efforts at this site. A new subspecies of the wide-ranging Euchemotrema leai was described by Richard W. Fullington (1974) from Palmetto State Park. This taxon, Euchemotrema cheatumi, is now considered to be a full species (Turgeon et al., 1988). Later, Helmer Ode (1991) listed the species collected by the Austin Shell Club in March, 1990. The collections reported in the above papers and an extensive series of personal collections that remain unpublished have all occurred in the last 20 years. However, manifol environmental changes have occurred in this area during th last several decades that have modified the natural geological and biological systems that occurred in the Ottine area. The flow of groundwater and attendant sulfurous gases ha dramatically declined during, and undoubtedly before, thes past two decades. Local belief is that removal of crude oil and groundwater from underground reservoirs reduced th artesian pressures in the area. Therefore, many of th springs do not spring forth water from the ground surface a the mud boils do not boil anymore. Indeed, the bog sites o 24 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February, 1993 these former mud boils have desiccated to the extent that they are covered by floodplain trees instead of bog and marsh vegetation. These changes in the general environment of the Ottine areas raise the question of the effects of recent environmental change upon the terrestrial gastropod fauna of this area. Indeed, terrestrial gastropods are extremely dependent upon moisture-conserving cover objects and general soil moisture levels. Being critically dependent upon soil moisture levels for survival during drought periods, terrestrial gastropods would be expected to be a suitable groups to study to monitor the effects of manifold environmental alterations wrought by twentieth century human endeavors. Studies of this group of soil-associated animals should provide a measure of the natural integrity of the remnant plant and animal communities that remain in biological preserves around the world. The rediscovery of a sample of terrestrial gastropods that resulted from a survey effort by Helmer Ode at Palmetto State Park in the spring of 1957 will allow comparison with the current terrestrial gastropod fauna when the current study is completed. This collection of shells donated by Ode was found in a cabinet of, as yet, uncatalogued material at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Annotated List of Species The species listed below were identified from the shells collected by Ode in 1957. The shells were in a small wooden Cigar box. Some of the shells were loose in the _ box (subsample 1) while others were contained within two small match boxes (subsamples 2 & 3) and a screw-cap glass vial (subsample 4). Although no information labels were present for these subsamples, the differential species occurrence and appearance of the shells in relation to leaching and adherent soil particles indicate that these are collections from microgeographically different areas of Palmetto State Park. Species occurrence in these four subsamples is presented in Table 1. Analysis of these subsamples will allow reconstruction of the vegetative community present at the time of collection, as well as providing a framework to analyze any detectable changes in the general integrity of the natural biological communities. In the following list the geographical ranges are taken from unpublished field notes of this author or from published maps (Hubricht, 1985). The habitat occurrences and preferences are derived from further unpublished notes of this author. Oligyra orbiculata Say, 1818 is the only terrestrial operculate gastropod that occurs in the south central United States. This species is found in a great variety of habitats, 25 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February, 1993 but substantial cover objects in the form of rock or downed wood are generally required for survival of this species. Fossaria bulimoides (I. _ Lea, 1841) is an aquatic gastropod that is typically found along the margins of variable-flow, even temporarily dry, streams and ponds. Much of its active life is spent on the wet shore margins of wetland areas. Physella virgata (Gould, 1855) is a very widespread aquatic gastropod that occurs in a great variety of aquatic environments with shallow water depth and low water current velocities. Vertigo tridentata Wold, 1870, is known from highly scattered localities throughout the eastern United States, although it appears to be absent from most, if not all, of the southeastern Coastal Plain. Preferred habitat is mesic woodland that is relatively well-drained. Gastrocopta contracta (Say, 1822) is found in relatively mesic woodlands in central Texas. Cover in the form of rock or downed wood is always present. Strobilops texasiana Pilsbry & Ferriss, 1906, is typical of wooded areas with well-drained soil and cover objects that conserve the available soil moisture. Catinella avara (Say, 1824) is generally found in locally mesic microhabitats, although the general ambient environment may be rather xeric, at least on a seasonal basis. C. avara is often found along wetland margins near wood or rock that serve as suitable cover objects. Anguispira strongylodes (Pfeiffer, 1854) is found under downed wood in mesic woodlands in the southeastern United States as far west as central Texas. Helicodiscus parallelus (Say, 1817) ranges throughout the eastern United States where it occurs under downed wood and leaf litter in floodplain and upland woods. Helicodiscus singleyanus (Pilsbry, 1890) is known from scattered localities throughout the eastern United States where it is found in a variety of habitats, ranging from mesic woodlands to rather xeric grasslands. Punctum vitreum (H. B. Baker, 1930) is found in accumulations of leaf litter in woodlands over much of the eastern United States. Glyphyalinia umbilicata (Cockerell, 1893) is found in both mesic and moderately xeric habitats with sufficient cover objects and soil moisture. Mesomphix friabilis (W. G. Binney, 1857) is a facultative predatory gastropod (including other terrestrial gastropods as prey) that occurs in moderately mesic woodlands in the southeastern United States as far west as central Texas. Zonitoides arboreus (Say, 1816) is found under many of the same cover objects as G. umbilicata (see above) but is typical of slightly more mesic environments. | Rumina decollata (Linnaeus, 1758) is native to the arid and semi-arid environments in the circum-Mediterranean countries of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Typical of xeric 26 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February, 1993 environments, this species can survive in moderately mesic habitats that possess well-drained soils. Rabdotus dealbatus (Say, 1821) is typically found in riparian woodlands and moist open woodlands in various portions of Texas and eastward into Alabama and Tennessee and northward into Illinois and Kansas.” Polygyra leporina (Gould, 1848) is found in mesic woodlands, typically with sandy soil, from eastern Texas eastward into Alabama and Indiana. | Polygyra mooreana (W. G. Binney, 1858) is found in well- drained and even very xeric, usually rocky, calcareous soils in western and central Texas. Vegetation varies from closed woodlands to grasslands sites. | Euchemotrema leai aliceae (Pilsbry, 1893) ranges from central Texas and Kansas eastward to Georgia and Kentucky. This species is usually found in moist woodlands associated with swamps, streams, or ponds. Euchemotrema cheatumi (R. W. Fullington, 1974) is known only from the wooded floodplain of the San Marcos River within the boundaries of Palmetto State Park. Note that the collection of shells of this species by Ode preceded the original description of the species by 17 years. The type series was collected by E. P. Cheatum and R. W. Fullington on 11 November, 1971. Praticolella berlandieriana (Moricand, 1833) is found in open, often disturbed, habitats of central Texas. 3 Mesodon roemeri (Pfeiffer, 1848) is found in open woodlands as well as closed riparian forests in central Texas and very southern central Oklahoma. Mesodon thyroidus (Say, 1816) is found in mesic woodlands with sufficient downed wood as cover from central Texas northeastward throughout most of North America. ) Triodopsis vultuosa (Gould, 1848) is known from eastern Texas and westernmost Louisiana where it is found under logs and leaf litter in relatively dry or well-drained woodlands. Discussion Although the modern survey by this author of the molluscs of the Palmetto State Park area is not complete, several remarks will be offered here concerning this 1957 collection. Significant is the presence of the introduced but now widely-occurring gastropod, Rumina decollata. This species has been known from urban areas in Texas since the early twentieth century, but this collection reveals that the invasion of downstrean, generally unimpacted natural communities by R. decollata had begun at least as early as the 1950s. This collection does not contain specimens of an introduced freshwater gastropod, Planorbella duryi, which is present today at Palmetto State Park. The time of introduction may have occurred subsequent to 1957. Also significant is the occurrence of shells of Triodopsis vultuosa at Palmetto State Park in 1957. This 27 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February, 1993 locality is somewhat disjunct from the main body of the geographical range of this species. My modern surveys have not yet revealed living populations of this species at Palmetto State Park, indicating the possible extirpation of this species at this site. The analysis of this collection is an excellent example of the value of old collections of molluscan shells that have proper documentation, i.e., collection data with locality and date. Literature Cited Fullington, R. W. 1974. Two new land gastropods from Texas (Zonitoides and Stenotrema). The Nautilus 88:91-93. Hubricht, L. 1985. The distributions of the native land mollusks of the eastern United States. Fieldiana Zoology(n.s.) 24:1-191. Ode, H. 1991. Some remarks concerning land snail collecting in Texas. Texas Conchologist 27:60-63. Raun, G. G. 1959. Terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates of a moist, relict area in Central Texas. Texas J. Sci. Ets 158-17 1.. Shearer, G. K. 1956. Palmetto State Park, Ottine, Texas. Texas State Parks Board Publication, Austin, Texas, 32 PP- Turgeon, D. D., et al. 1988. common and scientific names of aquatic invertebrates from the United States and Canada: Molluscs. Amer. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publi. 16,277 pp. 28 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February, 1993 Table 1. Occurrence of nonmarine mollusks according to subsamples described in text (1 + 1 = adults + immatures). Species Subsample Numbers 1 2 3 4 Oligyra orbiculata O+1 8 Fossaria bulimoides 5 Physella virgata 1 Vertigo tridentata 1 Gastrocopta contracta 2 6 Strobilops texasiana 1+1 2 8+2 Catinella avara 1+1 Anguispira strongylodes 5 1 Helicodiscus parallelus O+1 1 Helicodiscus singleyanus 1 Punctum vitreum O+1 Glyphyalinia umbilicata 1+1 Mesomphix friabilis 3 0+1 Zonitoides arboreus 6+1 ES aie 9 Rumina decollata 3 Rabdotus mooreanus 2 Rabdotus dealbatus 0+1 1 Polygyra texasiana 4 7+1 Polygyra leporina 1 Polygyra mooreana bh Euchemotrema leai aliceae 0+1 1 Euchemotrema cheatumi 1 3 Praticolella berlandieriana z 2 Mesodon roemeri 1 3 Mesodon thyroidus 1+1 2 Triodopsis vultuosa 1 species number = 26 a 8 19 6 29 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February, 1993 "A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD SMELL AS SWEET WERE IT NOT BUSYCON CALLED" By Dorothy Samay It came to pass, a half-starved, dehydrated Siamese stray kitten, obviously down on its luck, wandered to my doorstep. She persevered with her charms until she had won her way into my heart. Now, let me tell you, after a few hikes to the library, I can talk until blue in the face about this loving, loyal, sensitive, and intelligent breed, possessing the finest disposition of all the cat genre. They are the most vocal, as well, always having something on their minds to chat about. They make you think of angels with dirty faces. Their lovely rich cream-white-beige bodies are highlighted by distinctive chocolate brown points on their faces, paws, and tails and those intelligent, deep-blue eyes complete the picture of a unique breed. Their face resembles a mask, reminiscent of what a beaver, raccoon, muskrat, or ferret’s face looks like. At first blush, one would be inclined to name a Siamese along the lines of Batman, Bandit, Outlaw, or maybe Lone Ranger. Why then the nomenclature "Busycon," selected for this pet? When this one was a kitten, but mind you, a finely-tuned kitten, she appeared in her perfection not unlike a virgin piece of cloth or uncut gem, which a Svengali could cut, mold, knead, form, or channel in any direction he chose. Or too, she would remind one of a Busycon seashell. I acquired my love for shells at Galveston, becoming familiar with sand dollars, mollusks, scallops, and my favorite, the splendid busycons. Busycons come in two colors: grey-blue and brown-cream-white. Both shades are beautiful; I am particularly drawn to the creamy beige ones. Brilliant, piercing, unrelenting rays of the sun bleach the chocolate brown streaks extending perpendicularly through the shell, giving it the identical coloring of a Siamese cat. Busycon (the cat) and Busycon seashells are in a class of their own as is all that is Texan--at least if you listen to a Texan ruminating. Witness Texas with its longhorn cattle drives, cotton, timber, and oil dynasties bringing untold wealth and recognition to the state. Witness three of America’s greatest presidents who have called Texas their home: father-figure General Eisenhower; lusty, down-to- earth, excessive Lyndon Johnson; and trusty, budget- conscious George Bush. 30 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February, 1993 Witness the fighting courage of her people--a battle to the death of every brave Texan at the Alamo, not one willing to surrender. Witness the nurturer of NASA, the center of the space program whose expertise just might take mankind to newer, finer, greener pastures unlike anything dreamed of heretofore in the yet-to-be discovered realms of different stars and universes. And too, Texas now home to the super collider, being programmed to recreate those circumstances at the birth of the universe. Many secrets of the universe should be unraveled when this is accomplished. Perhaps too someday, the mystery of what Busycon smiles about could be explained. Hats off to Busycon, busycon seashells, and Texas. 31 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February, 1993 MEET A MEMBER By Mary Martin Meet Cheryl Hood, the Houston Conchology Society 1992 Epi Award Winner. Cheryl has been a member of the Society since 1988 and during that time she has been Auction Chairman, Recording Secretary, and is currently club Treasurer. She found out about the club through a friend who is a librarian and had found club information at the public library. Cheryl is an environmental biologist for Milpark Drilling Fluids. She is married to Lonnie who is a registered CCU nurse at Hermann Hospital. Cheryl’s interest in shells developed because her grandparents lived in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and she visited them often. Her interest in the ocean grew and she became a marine biologist. Molluscs were always her favorite area of study. Cheryl has special interest in cones, Murex, Cypraea, and harps, but she states that there is a tie for her favorite family. The tie is between Conidae and Muricidae. Someday, she would like to have "one of everything" in the mollusca. She has collected shells in Belize, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Florida, and Mexico, and would like to travel to as many foreign places as possible to collect before all of the good shelling areas are closed or destroyed. Tamarindo Bay, Costa Rica is the location of Cheryl’s best collecting story. Several club members were night collecting on the rocky beach, and eventually only four people were left. Mary Martin and Harry Sharp finally gave up, leaving Darwin Alder and Cheryl on that dark, rocky beach. The two diehards kept at it. Just before the flashlights went dead, Cheryl found a morum, a Cypraea robertsi, and a Tonna gqalea. All three were alive. Of course, the two gloating enthusiasts had to wake up their roommates to show off their prizes. Next time, their roommates plan to be equipped with better flashlights. Hopefully the tides will be turned!!! The worst collecting story for Cheryl happened on a HCS trip to San Carlos Bay, Mexico in early 1992. Tourism and construction of a marina has completely destroyed the bay for shells. Everything is coated with several inches of Sree. The area itself is spectacular, with mountains, desert, and cactus. The club members that went had a fantastic trip, and they did find shells in other areas, but the collecting was not anything to compare to previous reports of the area. Along with being an excellent field collector, Cheryl enjoys gardening, reading, cross stitch, and her cats Van der Waal 32 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February, 1993 and Nicki. We congratulate her on being this year’s Epi winner. an. BW Cheryl and Lonnie Hood ae TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February 1993 MONOGRAPH By H. ODE’ DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA IN THE NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO (A Continuing Monograph) Superfamily Pyramidelloidea Family PYRAMIDELLIDAE Gray, 1840 This enormous family of mostly minute species has been too insufficiently researched to give a completely consistent account of its internal and external relationships. It is customary to split the several thousand worldwide species into socalled subfamilies such as Pyramidellinae Gray, 1984, Odostomiinae Pelseneer, 1928 and Turbonillinae Simroth, 1907 and others, not widely accepted. Saurin (1959) also uses Syrolinae, Pyrgulininae, and Menesthinae, and Nordsieck (1972) uses Chrysallidinae, Odostomellinae, Eulinellinae, Turbonillinae, and Pyramidellinae. The distinction between those various subfamiles is mostly based on shell characters. In Vaught (1989) the Cyclostremellinae are also considered part of the family. The PYRAMIDELLIDAE, as known today (that is, excluding many highly problematic forms from pre-Mesozoic formations), arose in the early Cretaceous but most of the recent genera evolved in the Miocene. Previous to that, they evolved a number of needle-shaped genera in the Eocene (mainly known from the Paris Basin and Asia). Some genera now classified in the Pyramidellinae may be descendants of those groups. One of the main difficulties in the study of this family is that many workers who have named species have not considered the possibility that related forms existed elsewhere in the world or lived during earlier times. For instance, the recently described Morrisonietta Brandt, 1968, represented by five closely-related species from Vietnam (type M. krungtepensis) is the same as Taphirostomia Cossmann, 1921, which was erected for Odostomia scalaris Sandberger, 1861, from the Miocene of middle Europe. Cossmann (1921) noted the pre-occupation of the trivial name and renamed the species Taphirostomia sandbergeri (p. 272, pl. 6, fig. 8 & 9). Excellent figures were given by kKuster-Wendenburg (1973;. p...63,,. pl.. 4,. figs 52 & S52(1)) whieh "Sie ee compared with those given by Brandt, 1968. A species complex similar, if not identical to that described by Brandt, had been described by Preston (1906, 1914, and 1915) under the names of Chrysallida (Mormula) nadiensis, humilis, ecclesia, and chilkaensis from a coastal lagoon in India 34 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February 1993 (also see Annandale, 1924). The complete parallelism in variation between the complex from Vietnam and India suggests to me that one deals here with only a single species and not several as Preston and Brandt believe. Another example of insufficient research before naming new species is furnished by the genus Gurmatia Dance and Eames, 1966, from the Pleistocene of Iraq. In all probability, this is very closely related to Iolaea of which several have been described closely resembling Gurmatia f.i. Odostomia (Iolaea) delicatula Carpenter, 1864 from the west coast of the United States. The reader may compare the figure of the latter given by Baker, Hanna, and Strong (1928; p. 237, pl. 12, fig. 15) with the figure in Dance and Eames (1966; p. eta. i305... 5 £& 4, aud pL. 5, fig. 3). Laseron, 1959 named a very similar species from Australia Hinemoa leviplex and the genus Mumiola A. Adams, 1864 with such species as Mumiola megacheilos de Folin belong here. Another confusing aspect of this group of mollusks is the different attitude of the various experts with respect to the use of generic labels. Some of the early workers such as Jeffreys were of the opinion that most forms in the PYRAMIDELLIDAE merged into one another so that only a few genera should be defined. These difficulties can be illustrated by the placement of Ugartea Bartsch, 1917 in the Turbonillidae (see Vaught, 1989) while its synonyms Odostomidea Pilsbry and Johnson, 1917, according to its name was thought to be an odostomiid. Because the latter label was applied to a fossil, it is not listed in Vaught (1989). However, both generic names are preoccupied by the much Older Salassia de Folin, 1870. This genus shows clearly that many workers did not search the literature when naming new species. For instance, the shell that Laseron (1959; p. 216, fig. 92) named Elodiamea inverta, which is a full synonym of Odostomella padangensis Thiele, 1925 (p. 318, pl. 15, fig. 25), is a true Salassia. One result of this study of pyramidellid gastropods is the discovery that many of thses minute species live in areas much larger than most workers thought possible. Apart for a number of examples mentioned later in this text, I mention here the following synonymy: Zonella Laseron, 1959 [type Odostomia (Turbonilla) amoebaea Watson, 1886, recent northeast Australia] is the same as Hamarilla Eames and Wilkens, 1957 [type Hamarilla bicarinata Eames and Wilkens, 1957, subfossil, Basral, Persian Gulf] because these species are identical. Another name may be Ebalina formosana Nomura, 1938 from the Pliocene of Taiwan (misspelled Evalina, but corrected by Saurin, 1959, who reported the species as Recent from Vietnam. If this is so, all this material should receive the generic label Ebalina Thiele, 1929, whose type is Noemia monolirata Folin (Fonds de la Mer, Vol. 2, p. 180, Hong Kong; also see Kisch, 1959), of 35 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February 1993 which there have been reported under various labels a number of very similar species worldwide; f.i. Ebalina mitis Jung, 1969 was reported from the Tertiary of Trinidad. In the first few treatments of the PYRAMIDELLIDAE of the N.W. Gulf of Mexico, I will discuss the odostomiid species of which there are over fifty. However, it is by no means clear that all species discussed here belong to that subfamily. Such genera as Ebala Leach, 1847, Anisocycla Monterosato, 1880, Saccoina Dall and_ Bartsch, 1904, Bacteridium Thiele, 1927, and others invented by Laseron, 1959 are usually placed in the Pyramidellinae, but the closely related Stylopsis resticula Dall, 1889 is listed for the Odostomiinae. Hence, it must be concluded that at present the arrangement of this utterly confused family of micromollusks is based largely on tradition and not on clearly established, scientific principles. Unfortunately, I can do little to clarify the situation. Years of anatomical work in the various museums of the world will be more useful than the comparison of descriptions and figures (often poor) to arrive at a more correct idea of internal relationships. The main purpose here is not the naming of material but the relationship of the 5000 taxa, recent and fossil, in existence. Probably more than half of those will fall by the wayside and should be discarded as unnecessary synonyms. Odostomiinae Pelseneer, 1928 In Vaught (1989) most of the categories that in the following are listed as full genera are considered subgenera of Odostomia. This is undoutedly still a holdover of the unfortunate habit of Dall and Bartsch not to recognize as full genera the various categories the brothers Adams and de Folin had erected. If all odostomiids had attained the size of say buccinids, there is no doubt in my mind that all these subdivisions would have been recognized as full genera long ago. It is also more than probable that among the numerous labels invented for the many so-called genera, subgenera and section, many will turn out to be superfluous. The choices made in this discussion are not better than those made by others. Among the Texas material are six groups of species, each characteristic in its shape and sculpture, with several species: LS Boonea - Cyclodostomia; small nucleus, not immersed, living in near offshore waters and coastal bays. Here also belong Pseudoscilla - Lia - Ividia, thick-walled, small nucleus, living offshore in deeper water. 36 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February 1993 2) Brachystomia - Eulimastoma; many species with an immersed, often large nucleus. Spiral striations, usually thick-walled. Mainly in near offshore waters and in coastal bays. 3) Fargoa - Tragula - Besla - OQOdostomella - Egila - Pselliogyra; thick-walled, heavily ornamented. Seldom in coastal bays but mostly in deeper, offshore waters. 4) Evalea - Amoura - Jordaniella; thin-walled, with minor or no ornamentation. Both in the bays and offshore. 5) Sayella; reddish-brown in color. Different shape of the columellar plica. Mostly in the coastal bays. 6) Ebala; very minute, needle shaped; probably not odostomiid; (Eulimellinae?). Then there are still some species which cannot be easily grouped: Careliopsis; Kunopia; Rissopsetia. (Surprisingly Odostomia s.s. does not live in the N.W. Gulf of Mexico. Within the Odostomiinae a tendency in certain genera to evolve needle-shaped forms can be observed. Most characteristic is this tendency displayed in the genus Careliopsis Morch. Also the genera Besla and Sayella produce several needle-shaped species, the juveniles of which have sometimes received different labels. In the still evolving complex of eulimastomid species, two species display this lengthening tendency. Sketches of many species will be included in this continued monograph. Bibliography for Monograph on PYRAMIDELLOIDEA Aartsen, J.J. van. 1977. De determinatie van Chrysallida’s. Correspondentie Blad Nederlandse Malacol. Vereniging No. 156, pp. 227-237. Aartsen, J.J. van. 1977. European Pyramidellidae. I. Chrysallida. Conchiglie Vol. 13 (3-4): p.49-64, 5 plts. Italian summary, pp. 65-70. Allen, J.F. 1958. Feeding habits of two species of Odostomia. Nautilus, Vol. 72, pp. 11-15. Altena, C.O. van Regteren. 1975. The marine Mollusca of Surinam (Dutch Guiana). Holocene and Recent. Part III, Gastropoda and Cephalopoda. Anderson, H.J. 1964. Die Miocane Reinbek-Stufe in Nord und West Deutschland undibre Mollusken fauna Fortschritte. Geol. Rheinland Westfalen Vol. 14, pp.31-360, 52 plts. 37 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February 1993 Andrews, J. 1971. Sea Shells of the Texas Coast. Univ. of Texas Press, 298 pp. Iillustr .2nd - Edition, —. tages updated and revised with title "Shells and Shores of Texas ,.3657 pp. Annandale, N. 1924. Fauna of the Chilka Lake. Mollusca. Gastropoda. Revision. Memoirs of the Indian Museum Vel. 5, Ppp. 853>873;, Baker, F., G.D. Hanna, and A.M. Strong. 1928. Some Pyramidellidae from the Gulf of California. Proc. Calif£.,,Acads. Sci... Vol... »4,. Vol..17. (ik. DPR.-iteaeeeee BLts: .10-12, Bartsch, P. 1916. Eulimastoma, a new subgenus of pyramidellids and remarks on the genus Scalenostoma. Nautilus, Vol. 30, pp. 73-74. Bartsch, P. 1917. Description of new West American marine mollusks and notes on previously decribed forms. Proc. U.S. Nat... Mus., Vol. 52. (2193),pp. 637-681, DitSs., 42-480 Bartsch, P. 1927. In: Dall, W.H., Small shells from dredgings off the south eastern coast of the United States, Fisheries Steamer "Albatross" in 1885 and 1886. Proc..U«Ss Nace Mus, Vol... /0 (18),, pp. i=tse: Bartsch, P. 1955. The Pyramidellid mollusks of the Pliocene deposits of North St. Petersburg, Florida. Smithsonian Miscell. Collection Vol. 125 (2), 102 pp., 18 plts. Bell, A. 1893. Notes on the correlation of the later and post-Pliocene Tertiaries on either side of the Irish Sea, with a reference to the fauna of the St. Earth Valley. Proc. Roy. Irish Acad. Ser.2, Vol. 3, pp. 620- 642. Boettger, O. 1901. Zur Kenntnisder Fauna der Mittel Miocanen Schichten von Kostej} im Krasso-Szozenyer Komitat Verhandl. und Mitteill der Siebenburg. Verenis fur Natur Wissenschaften. Hermannstadt Vol. 51, pp. 1-20. Brandt, R.A.M. 1969. Descriptions of new non-marine mollusks from Asia. Archiv fur Mollusken Kunde Vol. 98, pp. 213-289, plts. 8-10 and 41 text figs. Bush, K.J. 1909. Notes on the family Pyramidellidae. Amer. Journ. Science, 4th Ser., Vol. 27, pp. 475-484, figs. i-i2. Calnan, T.R. 1980. Molluscan distribution in Copano Bay, Texas. Bureau of Economic Geology, Univ. of Texas, Austin. Rept. of Investigations No. 103, 50 pp. 38 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February 1993 Campbell, L.D., and S.C. Campbell. 1976. Revision of Tuomey and Holmes Pleiocene fossils of South Carolina. South Carolina State Development Board, Vol. 20 (3), pp. 101- 103, and table. Clench, W.J., and R.D. Turner. 1950. The western Atlantic mollusks described by C.B. Adams. Occas. Papers on Mollusks, Museum Compar. Zoology, Harvard University. Vol.si £15);«pp. 233-403, ,.pitss« 29-49. Corgan, J.X. 1967. Quarternary Molluscan fauna of the mudlump province, Mississippi River Delta. Ph.D. Thesis, Louisiana State University. 300 pp., 14 plts. Cossmann, M. 1921. Essais de Paleontologie comparee. Livr. ae 6.349 pp. 16 pits. Dall, W.H. 1892. Contributions to the Tertiary fauna of Florida with special reference to the Miocene Silex Beds of Tampa, and the Pliocene bed of the Caloosahatchie River. Trans. Wagner Free Insti. Science, Philadelphia. Vol. 3, part 2, pp. 201-473, Bits. 13-21. Dall, W.H., and P. Bartsch. 1903. In: Arnold, R. The paleontology and stratigraphy of the marine Pliocene and Pleistocene of San Pedro, California. Mem Calif. Read. +aci., VOlL.3, +PP..2695285,5 pits. 1-2, 4. Dall, W.H. and P. Bartsch. 1906. Notes on Japanese, Indo- Pacific and American Pyramidellidae. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. Vol...30,. (21452) ,*ppe 321-369 ,splts. 17-26; Dall, W.H. and P. Bartsch. 1907. The Pyramidellid mollusks of the Oregonian faunal area. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. Vol. 33 (1574), pp. 491-534, plts. 44-48. Dall, W.H. and P. Bartsch. 1909. A monograph of West American Pyramidellid mollusks. Bull. 68, U.S. Nat. Mus., pp. 1-258, 30 plts. Dance, S.P. and F.E. Eames. 1966. New mollusks from the Hammar formation of South East Iraq. Proc. Malac. Soc. London Vol. 37, pp. 35-43. ‘De Jong, K.M. and H.E. Coomans. 1988. Marine gastropods from Curacao, Aruba, and Bonaire. Studies on the fauna of Curacao and other Caribbean Islands. Vol. 69, 261 pp. and 47 plts. 39 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February 1993 Di Geronimo, I. 1973. Tiberia octaviana n. sp. de Pyramidellidae (Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia) del mediter. nei Conchiglie, Vol. 9 (11-12), pp. 217-222, figured. Eames, F. E., and Wilkens, G. L. 1957. Six new molluscan species from the alluvium of Lake Hamar, near Basrah, Iraq. Proc Malae. Soc., London, Vol. 32(5), pp. 198- 203, plts. 27-28. Faber, W. H. 1984. A new species of Rissopsetia (Gastropoda Pyramidellidae) from the Caribbean Sea. Bulletin of the Zoologisch Museum, Amsterdam, Vol, 6, pp.” 110342. Fekih, M. 1969. Pyramidellidae recoltees dans la Pliocene de 1’ou ed el Galaa (Menzel Bourguiba). Notes du Service Geologeque, Director des Mines et de 1’Energie, Tunis, no. 29, 58 pages, 11 plts. Harmer, F. W. 1923. The Pliocene mollusca of Great Britain being supplementary to S. V. Wood’s monograph of the Crag Mollusca. Paleontograph Society, London, Vol. 75, pp. 705-856, plts. 57-64. Henderson, J. B. and Bartsch, P. 1914. Littoral marine mollusca of Chinocoteague Island, Virginia. Proc. U. S. Nat. Museum, Vol. 47 (2055), pp. 411-421, plts 13- 14. Jickeli, C. F. 1873. Uber den werth der Gaumenfalten fur die Art Untercheidung bei Obeliscus Humphrey Malak Blatter, Vol /q21l; “pect is=2n2is. Jung, P. 1969. Miocene and Pliocene Mollusca from Trinidad. Bull. Am. Paleont., Vol. 55, no. 247, pp. 291-657, pits 13-60. Kisch, B. S. 1959. La collection de "Chemnitzidae" du Marquis de Folin Au museum National d’Histoire Natural. Description de Turbonilla copulens. Catalogue du especies publices par de Folin. Journ. de Conchyliologie, Vol. 99, p. 89-112, figure. Kobelt, W. 1905. Iconographie der Schalentragenden Europaischen Meeresconchilien. Vol. 3, 406 pp. Kuster-Wendenburg, E. 1973. Die gastropoden aus dem Meeress and (Rupelium) des Manizer Tertiary Bechen Abhandl. d. Hessisch Landesambt fur Boden forschung, Vol. 32, Bp» 170, 8 pits. 40 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February 1993 Laseron, C. F. 1959. The family Pyramidellidae from Northern Australia. Austral. Journ. Marine and Fresh water Research, Vol. 19, pp. 177-267. Laws, C. R. 1937. Review of the Tertiary and recent neozelanic pyramidellid mollusca, No. 4. The syrnolid genera. Trans. Royal Soc., New Zealand, Vol. 67, p.- 305, 315, pits 43-44. Melvill, J. C. 1910. A revision of the species of the family Pyramidellidae occurring in the Persian Gulf, Gulf Oman and the North Arabian Sea. Proc. Malacol. Soc. Lendon;' «Vel. 29; p< (271-207. Nordsieck, F. 1972. Die Europaischen Meeresschnecken. (Opisthobranchia Mit Pyramidellidae; Rissoacea) von Eismeer bis Kap Verden, Mittelmeer und Schwarzes Meer. Stuttgart, Gustav Fischer, 327 pp., 41 plts. Nordsieck, F. 1972. Die Miozane Mollusken fauna von Miste-Winterswyk N. L. (Hemmoor). Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart, 187;ppi, «2. figs., 4 tabl; 33,plts. Parva, G. 1974. I molluschi del Pliocene inferiori di Monte Roero. Boll. Soc. Palent. Ital. Vol 14 (2), pp. 99-175, 6 figs, 14 plts. Peile, A. J. 1926. The Mollusca of Bermuda. Proc. Malac. Soc. London. Vol 17, pp. 71-98. Pilsbry, H.A., and C.W. Johnson. 1917. New Mollusca from the Santo Domingo Oligocene. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia. Vol. 69, pp. 150-205. Pilsbry, H.A. and H.N. Lowe. 1932. West Mexican and Central American mollusks collected by H.N. Lowe 1929- 1930. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia. Vol. 84, pp 33-144, 7 figs., plts. 1-17, 2 photos. Preston, H.B. 1906. Description of new species of marine shells from Ceylon. Journ. of Malac. Vol. 12 (1), pp. 1410, (2: 0l1ts; Preston, H.B. 1914. Mollusca form Chilka Lake on the east coast of India. Records Indian Museum, Calcutta. Vol. 10, pp. 297-310. Preston, H.B. 1915. A further report on the mollusca from Lake Chilka on the east coast of India. Records Indian Museum, Calcutta, Vol. 11, pp. 289-310. Rios, E.C. 1975. Brazilian marine mollusks. Iconography. Fondacao Universidad de Rio Grande Centro de Ciencias. Merr Museu Oceanogr. 331 pp., 91 plts. 41 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February 1993 Robertson, R. 1973. Cyclostremella, a planispiral pyramidellid. Nautilus Vol. 87 (3), pp. 88. American pyramidellid gastropods and their systematic Significance (with the new species Boonea). Biol. Bull., Vol. 155, pp360-382. Saurin, E. 1959. Pyramidellidae de Nhatrang (Viet Nam). Amer. Fac. Sci. Saigon, pp 223-283, pits. 1=98. Singley, J.A. 1894. List of mollusca collected in Texas in 1891. In: Fishes of Texas and Rio Grande Basin by Evermann and Kendall. Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., Vol. 12 for 1892, Gov. Printing Office. Sorgenfrei, T. 1958. Molluscan assemblages from the marine middle Miocene of South Jutland and their environments. Danmarks Geol. Undersogelse, Ser. 2, Vol. 1-2, 503 pp., 76 plts. Spanik, G. 1968. Astarte omalii pulensis n. sp., Architectonica neerlandica n. sp., and Chrysallida andersoni n. sp. from the Miocene of the Netherlands and western Germany. Basteria, Vol. 32, pp. 8=i2771 plts Strebel, H. 1908. Die gastropoden Mit Ausnahme der nackten opisthobranchier. Wissenschaftliche Ergenbnisse der Schwedischen Sud Polar Expedition unter Leitung von Dr. Otto Nordenskjold 1901-1903. Stockholm. Vol 6 (1), pp. 1-111, 6 plts. Thiele, J. 1925. Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der deutschen Expedition auf dem Dampfer "Valdivia" 1898- 1899. Vol. 17 (2), pp. 35-382, 34 plts. Thiele, J. 1931. Handbuch der systematische Weichtier Kunde, Volaica 77a ‘ppl, -aligstra (reprinted 1963, A. Ascher and Co., Amsterdam.) Vaught, K. C. 1989. A classification of the living Mollusca. Edited by R. Tucker Abbott and K.J. Boss. Amer. Malacologists, Inc. Melbourne, Florida, 32902, U.S.A. Waller, T.R. 1973. The habit and habitat of some Bermudian marine mollusks. Nautilus, Vol. 87 (2), pp. 31-52. Warmke, G.L. and R.T. Abbott. 1961. Caribbean Seashells. A guide to the marine mollusks of Puerto Rico and the other West Indian Islands, Bermuda and the lower Florida Keys. Livingston Publishing Co. Narberth, Penn. 364 pp., 44 plts., 19 maps. 42 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February 1993 Watson, R.B. 1886 Report on the Scaphopoda and Gastropoda collected by H.M.S. "Challenger" during the years 1873- 14876. Challenger Reports, Zoology, Vol. 15, pp. 1-756, plts. 1-50. Wenz, W. 1940. Handbuch der Palaozoologie, Vol. 6, Gastropoda. Fotomechanischer Nachdruck, 1960-1961. Gebr. Borntrager, Berlin. (TO BE CONTINUED) 43 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February 1993 OPEN LETTER TO TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE MAGAZINE The following letter was sent to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regarding their listing of seashell clubs in Texas in their January 1993 magazine issue. February 3, 1993 TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE 4200 Smith School Road Austin, Texas 78744 Dear Editor: Regarding the article on winter shelling in your January, 1993 issue, I would like to inform your readers that Houston also has a shell club. The Houston Conchology Society is the largest such organization in Texas. It has 130 members, from novices and casual collectors to marine biologists and PA. D.s. The Society meets on the 4th Wednesday of most months in Southside Place near Rice University and has a yearly seashell auction to support its 25 year old publication, the "Texas Conchologist." Interested parties may contact: Houston Conchology Society c/o Mary Martin, President 9005 A Imogene Houston, Texas 77036 Yours truly, Mary Martin 44 HOUSTON CONCHOLOGY SOCIETY, INC. Officers 1992-1993 President: Mary Martin Program Vice-President: Peg Demaret Field Trip Vice-President: Harry Sharp Treasurer: Cheryl Hood Recording Secretary: Marian Jordan Corresponding Secretary: Kathy Betley Directors Bill Oaks Darwin Alder Don Oats Connie Boone Luana Huggins Carl Vartin Immediate Past President: Jean Holman Editor, Texas Conchologist: Richard M. Yuill Honorary Life Members Constance E. Boone Dr. Helmer Ode’ TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX , No. 2, February 1993 TABLE OF CONTENTS SEARCH AND SEIZURE New Species of Mollusks from HMNS Collections By Constance E. BOONE... « swe «eu os A NEWLY-REDISCOVERED "OLD" COLLECTION OF NON-MARINE MOLLUSKS FROM PALMETTO STATE PARK, GONZALES COUNTY, TEXAS By Raymond. .W. N6@GCK. 6) ss 0is os, ee he ee A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD SMELL AS SWEET WERE IT NOT BUSYCON CALLED By Dorothy Samay a: 60s. «(ie Sao eo eee MEET A MEMBER Cheryl Hood By Dorothy Samay.) a0 seh sey iat ee ee DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO (A Continuing Monograph: Superfamily PYRAMIDELLOIDEA) BY Helmer ‘ORO 0 ae es en Ace ee ie ae OPEN LETTER TO TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE MAGAZINE IN THE 21 24 30 32 34 44 CONCHOLOCKCT VOLUME XXIX, NOS.3 & 4 ISSN 0885-1263 Oa JULY 1993 The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST is the official publication of the Houston Conochology 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 following months: August,September, October, January, February, March, April, and May. The meeting is held the third Wednesday in November. Meetings are held at Southside Place Club House, 3743 Garnet, Houston, Texas. Meetings begin at 8:00 pm. 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 to a family membership. Dues extend from the begining of the fiscal year of June 1 through May 31. However, the July issue of the TEXAS CONCHOLO- GIST each year is the fourth quarterly due on the regular dues year begining June 1 of the previous year. Memberships will be accepted throughout the year but will receive 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 $12.00 Single membership $10.00 Student membership $ 6.00 Single Issues S$. 2.50 Extra sets mailed members $10.00 (Postage for overseas members required) Subscription $12.00 (Seamail $5.00, Airmail outside U.S., $8.00) EDITOR DISTRIBUTION EDITORIAL ADVISOR Richard M. Yuill Gary Olson Constance E. Boone 1230 Lake Estates Ct. 3706 Rice Blvd. Sugar Land, Texas 77478 Houston, Texas 77005 491-3842 668-8252 EDITORIAL STAFF Helmer Ode' Leslie Crnkovic 3319 Big Bend Dr. 12667 Memorial Dr. 74 Austin, Texas 78731 Houston,Tx 77024 (512) 452-7794 The TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST accepts contributions for publication from amateurs, 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 articles are welcomed. TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Nos. 324, July, 1993 SEARCH AND SEIZURE By Constance E. Boone A MUSSEL INVASION AT CORPUS AND SOME FRESHWATER MUSSEL NEWS Headlines in Corpus and area papers told the story of finding Perna perna, an edible mussel found in the Caribbean, Western South America, both coasts of Africa and into the Mediterranean, and the Indian Ocean islands off Africa, establishing in colonies at Port Aransas and Port Mansfield. A report of this invasion was made by David W. Hicks and John W. Tunnell, Jr. (Center for Coastal Studies, Corpus Christi State University), in The Veliger, January, 1993, under Notes, Information and News, pages 92-94. I have eaten species of Perna in several areas on trips to the Indo-Pacific. You may have eaten some of the Perna species in area restaurants. Perna perna was cultivated in Venezuala when I visited ther several years ago. I remember seeing at the research station on Isla Marguerita off mainland Veneqzuela an extremely large six-inch specimen on display in a case in the visitor area, and I brought back specimens from the cultivation ponds. At this time, I do not know where the wild material, used in the cultivation experiments, came from. The Perna complex contains several other species besides Perna perna. This latter species is variable and has many synonyms. For instance, I possess two specimens sent me some year ago from Uruguay by a serious collector. These specimens have the same muscle scars as the recently acquired specimen of Perna perna from Port Aransas, but the shapes are different. Yet, from what I have read recently, I believe they are both Perna perna. A good refernence available to me is Scott E. Siddall’s paper on "A clarification of the genus Perna (Mytilidae)" in Vol. 30, Oct., 1980, Bulletin of Marine Science. It pointed out that there are differences in number of teeth and denticles among the species of Perna according to the age amd even locality. Some members of the Brazosport Museum had asked questions about the look of the Corpus area specimens and the ones retrived from Venezuela. The Sea Searchers Club from Brazosport had made a recent field trip to Port Aransas and collected some of the mussels established on the jetty at Fish Pass on Mustang Island. Hicks and Tunnell cannot positively state how the mussel invasion in Texas got started. They suggest that a ship from Venezuela brought specimens in and do mention that some oriental markets may have had live ones for sale for food. However, the specimens have been identified by Dr. Tom Waller of the Smithsonian, and they do fit the outline and range discussion by Siddall. 45 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Nos. 3&4, July, 1993 As always, with any introduction to an area, there is concern of what the new invasion can mean. Most of us interested in shells are aware of horror stories of the spread of the African land shell to many parts of the tropical world and the harmful effects of Corbicula specimens and Dreissena specimens in our freshwater streams. Perna perna can become established in our bays and on our jetties. It can introduce disease organisms, and it is certainly one of the mussels that can have paralytic shellfish poisoning harmful to man. The blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, has not established in Texas waters, although it now is established and farmed from the oil rigs in California. This is the common edible mussel in the Northeast U.S. and in the Mediterranean. I have learned that it is obtained live from suppliers of sea food in Houston for preparation of food in Houston restaurants. Quite recently, someone brought a couple of Texas fresh water mussels to the Museum for identification. Dr. Raymond Neck, curator of invertebrates, identified the mussels and went to the oriental market to see what else was being sold. He found that Corbicula was sold for 99 cents a pound, but there were no more mussels. However, since this was the market from which the freshwater mussel came, mixed up with the Corbicula, it is surmised that the Corbicula were collected from Texas streams. Which brings me to the information that the 1992-1993 regulations on "Freshwater mussels, clams and naiads" prepared by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department outlines harvest regulations. "Freshwater mussels, clams and naiads may not be taken from freshwater for human consumption. (Texas Department of Health Regulations)" Further, the information brochure states that "Freshwater mussels cannot legally be taken taken from public fresh water for consumption. They may concentrate contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides and harmful bacteria, and therefore, could be hazardous to eat. No public fresh waters in Texas are certified by the Texas Department of Health for harvest of mussels for human consumption." A mussel, clam and naiad license must be obtained from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to take freshwater mussels or their shells from the public waters of Texas If for commercial purposes, a commercial license will be required and special requirements apply. The brochure, which will be put in the club’s library, outlines mussel biology, with drawings, includes’ some illustrations of common freshwater naiads (unionids or freshwater mussels), discusses the Asiatic clan, outlines bag limits and harvest sizes for several species and gives harves hours and even harvest methods (by hand only unless by permit to use other means). Freshwater 46 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XKIX, Nos. 324, July, 1993 mussel sanctuaries where shells may not be taken (some rivers and creeks) are listed. I assume that the word “clam" in these regulations refers, at this time, to Corbicula. As far as we know, the invading and harmful Dreissena polymorpha has not yet appeared in Texas streams, although the museum now has live-taken specimens from Arkansas, and it is reported from Oklahoma. Well, I started out talking about the invasion of the mussel in the Corpus area. This SEARCH AND SEIZURE just grew a bit to contain other information you may be able to use. If you want your own brochure from TPWD, write to 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744. Many of the regulations on collecting freshwater mussels have been divised to control and monitor the profitable industry of collecting some of the mussels that produce pearls which are sold fro many dollars in the jewelry market. Central Texas streams are home to Cyrtonaias tampicoensis, the freshwater mussel that seems to make pearls more often than other species and often produces pink or lavendar pearls. I am the proud owner of several pink pearls found in one large specimen of the above species, collected in a stream near Corpus on a field trip during the American Malacological Union annual meeting in 1968. It was a decisive field trip, as it was then that several of the nation’s top malacologists decided this species was in the genus Cyrtonaias, and that the species name above was the one that should be used. 47 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Nos. 3&4, July, 1993 FLOWER GARDENS RECOGNITION CEREMONY One of the three awards given at the February Flower Gardens lecture and video presentation sponsored by the Houston Conchology Society was made by Dr. Steve Gittings, manager of the newly named national sanctuary, to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, with special recognition of the early research by the late Dr. Thomas E. Pulley. "Nearly 100 years ago, the Flower Gardens Banks were discovered as havens for snapper and grouper by commercial fishermen. But it wasn’t until 30 years ago that the banks were shown to contain thriving, tropical coral reefs. The exploratory expeditions that revealed the mysteries of the Flower Gardens, and Stetson Bank for that matter, were sponsored by the institution in which we are gathered tonight," said Dr. Gittings. The Houston Museum of Natural Science was then under the direction of Dr. Thomas E. Pulley. Dr. Pulley’s expeditions included the use of volunteer divers to conduct surveys, take photographs and movies, and bring back specimens to the museum -- not all that different from Flower Gardens research and monitoring cruises of today, I might add. An ex-Navy officer himself, Dr. Pulley asked for and received cooperation from the U.S. Navy to use U.S. destroyers on training missions in the Gulf as dive plarforms. No different from today, science and other work on the Flower Gardens would truly suffer without the help of enthusiastic volunteers." "Under the present direction of Mr. Truett Latimer, president of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum continues to reveal the bounty and the secrets of the Gulf of Mexico. The refurbished Texas Hall of Wildlife will include an updated diorama of the Flower Garden reefs. The Flower Gardens Sanctuary looks forward to a _ long and fruitful relationship between our two programs. "Tonight, I am pleased to present to the Houston Museum of Natural Science this token of recognition, on which is written." The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary proudly acknowledges the late DR. THOMAS E. PULLEY AND THE HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE in recognition of pioneering exploration and scientific research at the Flower Garden Banks February 24, 1993 48 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Wos. 3&4, July, 1993 Ree MA So TME LATE DR. THOMAS E£. PULLEY Award given by the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, with special recognition of the late Dr. Thomas E. Pulley. 49 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Nos. 3&4, July, 1993 Spiny Murex from the Red Sea Henk K. Mienis Mollusc Collection, Zoological Museun, Dept. Evolution, Systematics & Ecology Hebrew University 91904 Jerusalem Israel Several years ago Constance Boone (1985) reported the finds of numerous specimens of a Spiny Murex at several localities along the Red Sea coasts of Egypt. At that time the correct name of the species was still a matter of dispute; however, Since the publication of the monograph dealing with the Indo-West Pacific species of the genus Murex by Ponder & Vokes (1988), we know now that she was dealing with Murex forskoehlii Roding, 1798. This is the dominant Spiny Murex throughout the Red Sea. Murex forskoehlii occurs in two forms which differ only in size. A large form of up to 12 cm may be encountered in relatively shallow water. This is the form actually collected by Constance Boone. The second form occurs in deep to very deep water: from 50 m down to at least 500 n. It differs from the nominal form only by its minuscule size: adult specimens consisting of eight teleoconch whorls measure hardly 5 cm in height. This latter form is rarely seen in private collections since specimens are usually obtained by dredging only, a method of mollusc collecting hardly employed in the Red Sea. This dwarfism is not confined to Murex forskoehlii in the Red Sea. It is also known to occur in Strombus plicatus (Roding, 1798): large specimens are confined to shallow water, while real dwarfs are only obtained from dredged Material (Mienis, 1975). Noteworthy is still the fact that Murex forskoehlii has to be considered a Lessepsian migrant, i.e. it has managed to Migrate from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea by means of the Suez Canal. Live specimens are occasionally collected in the Eastern Mediterranean (Barash & Danin, 1992; 120, fig. 135 as Murex tribulus). According to Ponder & Vokes (1988) still two other species of Spiny Murex occur in the Red Sea: Murex scolopax Dillwyn, 1817, and Murex carbonnieri (Jousseaume, 1881). Both species are apparently confined to their Erythraean distribution to the southern part of the Red Sea. They are found in far less numbers than Murex forskoehlij. The National Mollusc Collection at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUT) possesses several samples of three 50 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Mos. 324, July, 1993 additional species of Spiny Murex allegedly collected in the Red Sea. Two samples are from old collections and their labels mention only Red Sea/Mar Rosso as origin. Yet we mention here these samples because one of these records has been confirmed by a more recent find. Murex aduncospinosus Sowerby, 1841 Material: Red Sea, ex Worsfold, ex Blok (HUJ 21320/4). Murex ternispina Lamarck, 1822 Material: Red Sea, ex Coen (HUJ 36772/1): Egypt, Sinai, Gulf of Suez, El Bilaiyim, leg. S. Ashkenazi, 10 January 1973 (HUJ 36785/1). Murex tribulus Linnaeus, 1758 Material: Egypt, Gulf of Suez, Suez, leg. R. Neuville, between 1940 and 1950 (HUJ 36774/1). At least the finds of the late Rene Neuville, former French consul in Jerusalem and archaeologist, and Dr. Shosanna Ashkenazi, zoologist and ecologist, are trustworthy. The natural area of distribution of these three species is situated relatively far from the Red Sea (Ponder & Vokes, 1988). Yet we must not rule out the possibility that small populations of these Spiny Murex species do indeed occur here and there in the Red Sea. The Suez Canal and the Red Sea belong to the most intensively used shipping routes. Occasional biological fouling by means of oceanbound vessels must not be ruled out and in this way extra-territorial Spiny Murex species may reach now-and-then the Red Sea. Studies of additional, old and new, material might solve this problem in the future. In summarizing the data we may state that three species of Spiny Murex are firmly established in the Red Sea: Murex forskoehlii, M. scolopax, and M. carbonnieri. Three additional species have also been reported from the Red Sea: M. aduncospinosus, M. ternispina, and M. tribulus. - Their presence in the Red Sea has to be confirmed by additional finds. References Barash, A., and Z. Danin. 1992. Annotated list of the Mediterranean molluscs of Israel and Sinai. Fauna Palaestina, Mollusca I. 405 pp., plts. The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Jerusalen. Boone, C.E. 1985. Collecting Spiny Murex. Texas Conchologist 21(4): 114-116. 51 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. KXIX, Nos. 3&4, July, 1993 Mienis, H.K. 1975. Dwarf Strombus from the Red Sea. Hawaiian Shel] News 23(5): 6. Ponder, W.F. and E.H. Vokes. 1988. A revision of the Indo- West Pacific fossil and recent species of Murex s.s. and Haustellum (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Muricidae). Rec. Australian Mus., Suppl. 8: 1-160. WHY ARE YOU A COLLECTOR? From Shell Collecting by S. Peter Dance, we get this answer: “William John’ Broderip (1789-1859), author of many conchological writings, has a paramount claim as a shell collector. A magistrate in London with a well-filled purse, he became the owner of a cabinet which became a London showpiece. He wrote: "What is it that spurs on the man employed in zoological pursuits to make a collection of the objects of his study, objects which, in many cases, are the fruit either of painful and patient research, or costly price? The many will answer -- vanity. Is it answered? I say nay. Such a collector may, indeed be proud of the museum which his zeal and activity have succeeded in forming, and justly; but vanity is not the motive which incites him to collect. What then is the motive? It is necessity: he cannot report progress without having materials for study." The British Museum bought the entire Broderip collection in 183:7.f05, da: 1,575 a2 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Nos. 3&4, July, 1993 MONOGRAPH By H. ODE’ DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA IN THE NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO (A Continuing Monograph) Continuation of PYRAMIDELLIDAE Genus Boonea Robertson, 1978 The species of the genus Boonea are mostly adapted to in shore life, and several have their habitat in the coastal bays. They differ from other species groups such as Sayella and Eulimastoma in the structure of the nucleus. In Boonea impressa, one of the largest odostomias of the Texas coast, the nucleus is very small and is not immersed like in Eulimastoma but sits almost completely on top and its axis is horizontal. The animal has an operculun. Very closely related are several species in New England and species which are usually listed as Chrysallida. Some of these are merely Boonea with their spiral chords broken up into separate buttons. It is still unclear whether all such species described from both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the U.S.A. belong here. It is possible that OQdostomia (Chrysallida) gtearnsiella Pilsbry, 1917 (= hiloensis Pilsbry = kahoolawensis Pilsbry = monaulax Pilsbry) is a Boonea in the Hawaiian Islands. 465. Boonea impressa (Say, 1821) Turritella impressa Say, 1821; Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., vol. 2, p. 244; types from the coast of Maryland. This well known and very common species lives in all Texas and Louisiana coastal bays, where it can be collected alive on oyster clumps. It also parasitizes other bivalves and gastropods and the ascidian seasquirt Molqula (J. F. Allen, 1958) A few offshore-collected lots probably are Pleistocene- Holocene shells from drowned coastal bays. The species varies little in shape but there is some variation in sculpture. Whorls in general have four spiral bands, but in a small number of specimens the lower two of these may merge together. The grooves between the bands usually appear smooth, but in some specimens o3 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Nos. 3&4, July, 1993 there are closely-spaced vertical ridges which give the shell a somewhat reticulate aspect. In the past, B. jimpressa was usually placed in the genus Menestho which is incorrect (see the description of the type, Altena, 1975, p. 78, fig. 33a). The type of Menestho has an immersed nucleus and the shell is like Boonea spirally corded but not as heavily. Two closely-related species on the Atlantic coast are B. bisuturalis (Say, 1821) and B. trifida (Totten, 1834). Records HMNS survey collection: 42 lots from 0-11 fms; alive: 6 lots, all from coastal bays, 3 lots from 6.5 - 11 fms offshore, all probably Holocene fossils. Geographical range: Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico (Abbott, 1974) E. P. A.: Boonea grammatospira (Dall and Bartsch, 1903). Cape San Lucas, Lower California. Max. size: 6.7 mm 466. Boonea seminuda (C. B. Adams, 1839) Jaminea seminuda C. B. Adams, 1839; Boston Jour. Nat. Hist., vol. 2, p. 280; pl. “4, fig. 87;\*tyee fees Dartsmouth Harbour, New England. Although this species looks very different it is extremely close to B. jmpressa, both in shape and in sculpture. The only difference is that the four spiral chords are now broken up in a series of knobs which are arranged in vertical rows which gives the species a reticulate aspect. The nucleus is typical Boonea. hesitate to use for these reticulate species, of which many have been described from both the east and west coast of the U.S.A., the generic designation ° This depends on the anatomy and shell structure of its type C. communis. If both anatomy and shell structure turn out to be similar to that of Boonea, Chrysallida will merely be reduced to a subgenus of Boonea. Unlike B. jmpressa, living populations of B. are rare throughout the coastal bays of Texas, but the species lives mainly in the offshore environment on sandy and muddy bottoms. Its hosts are not specified. Some specimens were obtained from the calcareous reefs and Stetson Bank. It was also collected from the mudlump fauna and alive at the base of the Freeport and Galveston jetties, but rarely from beachdrift. B. seminuda experiences more variation in shape than B. and specimens can vary between slender to rather short and squat ones. This variability misled 54 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Nos. 3&4, July, 1993 called "species" for the Pliocene of Florida. Some of these forms have been collected along the Texas coast. Records HMNS survey: 57 lots from 0-55 fms of which 10 contain live-collected material (0-12 fms), but the species probably lives to depths of 30 fms. Geographical range: "Nova Scotia to Florida to Texas" (Abbott, 1974) E.P.A.: Although no figures in Dall and Bartsch 1909 resemble this species very closely, several are so similar that close relationship must be assumed. Among the countless west coast species of Chrysallida there are many unnecessary synonyms. Max. size: 6.9 mn. 467. Boonea somersi (Verrill and Bush, 1900) (Evalea) somersi Verrill and Bush, 1900, Trans. Conn. Acad. Arts and Sci., vol. 10, p. 15, pl. 65, fig. 7. This is the smallest species in the genus Boonea (to which it is doubtfully referred), which so far has only been collected in offshore calcareous environments (Flower Garden Banks; 18 fathom lump and 24 fathom lump., all south of Galveston and off the Louisiana coast). The species is also in the HMNS collection from Blanquilla Reef, Cabo Rojo, Mexico. So far the species has not invaded the near shore waters or the coastal bays. It is a rather variable species. The three spiral ridges on the whorls are usually narrow but in some specimens are broad. In other specimens these ridges are not continuous but the upper one can be broken up into segments so that the specimen begins to resemble a specimen of Ividia. Records HMNS survey collection: 7 lost from 10-28 fms, of which one contains live collected material (west Flower Garden Bank at 15 fms). Only from calcareous environment off the Texas and Louisiana coast. Geographical range: only reported from Bermuda (see also Peile, 1926) E. P. A.: not determined Max. size: 2.6 mn. Genus Cyclodostomia Sacco, 1892 This genus is closely related to Boonea, and some workers will probably consider it as a subgenus of Boonea. Species of Cyclodostomia are characterized by two ridges, one at the upper side of the whorl just below the suture and the other at the bottom of the whorl, above the suture. The profile of the whorl between these two ridges is completely flat. 55 TEXAS CONCWOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Nos. 3&4, July, 1993 Pyramistomia Cossmann, 1921, which resembles it closely, is not related but belongs in the group of eulimastomids (immersed nucleus). 468. Cyclodostomia didyma Verrill and Bush, 1900 Odostomia (Cyclodostomia) didyma Verrill and Bush, . 1900; Trans, Conn. Acad. Arts and Sci., vol. 10, p. $33, pt. 65, "tig. 24% This is a fairly common species on the offshore coral reefs such as the Flower Garden Banks, but it is less common on the Miocene shale banks such as Stetson Bank. - Gidyma has a large apical angle and its columnullar plica is of rather small size. A single lot was obtained at 12 fms from the Heald Bank area, 31 miles E.S.E. of Galveston. Record HMNS survey collection: 16 lots from 10-55 fms, of which one contains live collected material (30-31 fms). Geographical range: Bermuda. See also Peile (1926) and Waller (1973). E.P.A.: no close form known. Max. size: 2.7 mm 469. Cyclodostomia sp. indet A. A single specimen of a somewhat different species was obtained off South Padre Island. In this specimen, the lower spiral chord is emphasized and set off on the top by a narrow but deep groove. The upper spiral chord is more weakly developed than in ¢. didyma. It is possible that this specimen could be a pathological form of ¢. dgidyma. Records HMNS survey collection: one dead specimen from 25- 50 feet of water, 35 miles north of Port Isabel. Geographical range: unknown E.P.A.: not determined Max. size: 1.7 mn. Next will be treated a number of heavily ornamented species of various genera. the generic labels chosen here are not in general use. Therefore, first an explanation must be given of the choice of the genera for this group of highly ornamented, rather thick-walled odostomiids. Many of these small species have in the past been labelled “"Miralda". The type of Miralda is Parthenia diadema A. Adams, which is a small, rather globular shell with an obliquely immersed nucleus. Somewhat similar forms of more pupoid shape were 56 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Nos. 3&4, July, 1993 given the label Fargoa by Bartsch, 1955. These species have a completely immersed nucleus, so that looking at the top of the shell it appears to have a minute umbilicus. Most material in the literature named Miralda is not eongeneric with Pp. diadema. Among this material of " occur two types of nucleus: an elevated nucleus with horizontal axis, perched on top of the post nuclear whorls and an immersed nucleus. In Miralda and Fargoa and others among the species with elevated nucleus there are two types: conical shells with continuous spiral chords, which are here named Ppseudoscilla Boettger, 1901 (synonym Miraldiella Cossmann, 1921) and those with spiral chords formed by discreet knobs, which are labelled here Lia de Folin, (type Lia decorata de Folin). Essentially the difference between Pseudoscilla and Lia, although very obvious, is structurally minor, so that Jia will be considered here a subgenus of Ppseudoscilla. Pilsbry believed that Lia was preoccupied and invented the synonym Liamorpha The genus of the material with immersed nucleus that is not or Fargoa can only be determined by a _ complex taxonomic argument. Those specimens which are _ small, globular and with a nucleus that is obliquely immersed are true Miralda (type diadema); those of pupoid form with a completely immersed nucleus are called here Fargoa Bartsch, 1955. Further research may establish synonyms of both groups. The large group of more conical shaped shells with characteristic knobby, spiral chords must be called by the discarded label Jvidia Dall and Bartsch, 1907. These authors selected JIvidia armata Carpenter, 1857 as type of Ividia but in 1909 they mistakenly believed that the species was a Miralda and therefore, introduced the generic label Ividella for another species which mena incorrectly believed belonged to the same genus as J. armata. That species originally named Odostomia (Jvidia) navisa Dall and Bartsch 1909 is now the type of Jvidella. Thus Jvidia is indeed available (type JI, armata) for several species of small odostomiids formerly called Miralda. Genus Pseudoscilla Boettger, 1901 Pseudoscilla appears in some respects to be close to several other genera such as Cingulina and QOscilla. However, both are not related. All species in Pseudoscilla have small, regularly conical shells with very strongly developed spiral ridges, sometimes dissolved into separate knobs. These latter are here called Lia. Cingulina, the generic label often incorrectly applied (eg. Dall and Bartsch, 1909 and Cossmann, 1921) to the western 57 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Mos. 3&4, July, 1993 Atlantic species of Pseudoscilla, is a much more elongate shell less strongly ornamented and so far is only known from the Pacific. (See also Thiele, 1929 and Wenn, 1940). 470. Pseudoscilla babylonia (C. B. Adams, 1845) Chemnitzia babylonia C. b. Adams, 1845; Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. vol. 2, p. 6. no figure. (Type lost, Jamaica) This species is fairly common on the deeper algal rubble bottoms (Hospital Rock at + 200 ft.; near Cameron, La., at 50 fms; Clay Pile Bank and several locations on sandy mud _ south of Galveston and Freeport). This is a regularly conical shell with two strongly developed spiral ridges per whorl and a weakly developed tooth. A synonym is P. judithae (Usticke, 1959) from St. Croix. Records HMNS survey collection: 15 lots from 0-67 fms, of which 2 contain live collected material (17-24 fms). Most material comes from a depth range of 25-35 fms. One lot was obtained on the beach at the coast guard station at South Padre Island. Max size: 2.5 mn. Geographical range: "Bermuda and the west Indies" (Abbott, 1974) E. P. A.: There are a number of very closely related species in the Panamic faunal province such as P, exarata and P. Galapagensis which are listed in Keen (1971) as Miralda A. Adams, 1864, but which I suspect are all identical and possibly the same species as P. babylonia. #471 Pseudoscilla (Lia) decorata de Folin, 1870. Lia decorata de Folin, 1870; Fonds de la mer, vol. 2, pe? 271, "pl.! 6; £ig?-s: In essence the shape of Lia is the same as that of Pseudoscilla Boettger, but in Lia the spiral chords are dissolved into a series of separate knobs which give the shell a highly ornamented aspect. the nucleus is the same as that of Pseudoscilla. Lia decorata de Folin is the type of Lia and is immediately recognizable by its extremely knobby appearance. Its outline is very regularly conical and differs from that of IJvidia and Ividella. Pseudoscilla (Lia) decorata is widespread on the offshore coral reefs and surprisingly has been collected once on the beach from beachdrift at South Padre Island. 58 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Mos. 3&4, July, 1993 Records HMNS survey collection: 11 lots from 7 1/2-50 fms. of which 4 contain live collected material (7 1/2-36 fms). One lot comes from about 50 feet 35 miles north of Port Isabel, but the majority was collected on the Flower Garden Banks. Geographical range: Reported from Pointe a Pitre (West Indies) E. P. A.: Miralda azteca Strong and Hertlein 1939 from 309 fms, Bahia Honda, Panama, appears very close. Max. size: 2.0 mm Genus Ividia Dall and Bartsch, 1904 As explained earlier, Dall and Bartsch selected a typical "Miralda" (old sense) as type of JIvidia. The type of Miralda is not ungeneric with Ividia armata, so that Ividia is again available for use. Here are reported three species as JIvidia, which in most of the recent literature were listed as Miralda. It is possible that Babella Dall and Bartsch, 1906 is identical to Jvidia or should be considered a subgenus. Babella apparently is worldwide. Type is Parthenia caelata A. Adams (unnecessarily changed to callatior Dall and Bartsch). In Babella the ornamentation consists of spiral rows of knobs and a bottom spiral which is a continuous ridge. Babella is also known from the tertiary of New Zealand (Chrysallida zecarinata Laws) ; Rissoina (sic!) eucosmia Bartsch, 1915 from South Africa and Menestho (Miralda) tegalensis Oostingh, 1935 from the Pliocene of Java. Whether Ividia abbotti listed here is a Babella future research must decide. Its nucleus is somewhat different from that of J. dux. 472. Ividia dux Dall and Bartsch, 1906 Odostomia (Chrysallida) gux Dall and Bartsch, 1906; Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. 30 (1452), p. 350, pl. 17, fig... 5. Japan, type in Berlin Museun. Location perhaps erroneous. This is a widespread bay species that has been found in most of the Texas coastal bays: Laguna Madre at South Padre Island, Aransas Pass Causeway; it is common in Matagorda Bay, but rarely collected in Galveston Bay. One lot comes from deep water (50 fms. off Cameron, La.). DeJong and Coomans, 1988, have, I believe, named this species Chrysallida buysei (Curacao and Aruba). similar forms have been reported under a variety of names from the Pacific and the species would be worldwide, so that the type location may be correct. Records HMNS survey collection: 23 lots, from 0-50 fms, of which 2 contained live collected material (1-6 fms). 59 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Mos. 3&4, July, 1993 Geographical range: Probably worldwide in tropical seas. Abbott (1974) gives a figure with three modulate spiral chords of which the upper two are thinner than the lower. In most of the survey material there are only two modulated chords but the upper one is the result of the merger of two thinner ones. E.P.A.: JIvidia hemphilli Dall and Bartsch, 1909 which is always figured with a broken outer lip, may be close. Max size: 3.6 mm, but fragments indicate large sizes. 473. ividia bushiana (Bartsch, 1909) Qdostomia bushiana Bartsch, 1909; Pro. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. 34(4), p. 99, pl. 13, fig. 44. Recent, New England. Of this uncommon species only 4 lots were obtained, which differ in one small respect from the original figure by Bartsch. In the survey material there are three nodulose spiral chords with a more continuous thin ridge below. The upper spiral chord on the whorl is more strongly developed than the second, which is thinner, but the third ridge, the lowest of the nodulose ridges is most heavily developed and below it is a thin chord, continuous in a few specimens and of unequal thickness in others. The nucleus is immersed and the columnullar plica only weakly developed. Corgan (1967) figured similar specimens from the mudlump fauna -- also in the survey collection -- as Chrysallida (Chrysallida) sp. B. (pl. 9, fig. 5). Records HMNS survey collection: 4 lots from 36-50 fms, off Louisiana and from Hospital Rock off Corpus Christi. Alive at 36 fms. Geographical range: "Cape Cod, Mass. to Rhode Island, Texas" (Abbott, 1974). E.P.A.: not determined. Max. 474. size: 1.6 mn. Ividia c.f. abbotti (Olsson and McGinity, 1958) Miralda Olsson and McGinity, 1958. Bull. An. Paleont., vol. 39 (177), p. 44, pl. 1, fig. 7. Recent, Atlantic coast, Panama. A number of specimens much resembling this species was obtained off Texas and Louisiana in various types of environment. (Hospital Rock at + 200 ft. Clay Pile Bank at 100 ft. off Southwest Pass (La) at 24 and 51 fms and at Port Isabel, Texas at 12 fms. In the survey material the upper spiral row is formed by rather broad knobs, but the second spiral is a continuous chord of 60 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XKIX, Nos. 3&4, July, 1993 fms and at Port Isabel, Texas at 12 fms. In the survey material the upper spiral row is formed by rather broad knobs, but the second spiral is a continuous chord of equal thickness. In several respects [, differs from the two other species reported here as Ividia and perhaps it should be reported as Babella. Although in some respects similar to miveus, it is different because Triptychus has a different base, aperture and nucleus. Records HMNS collection: 6 lots, from 12-55 fms; no live collected material. Geographical range: “Western Caribbean" (Abbott, 1974) E. P. A.: No close form is known, but it should be stated that the very closely related IJvidia havaneusis (Pilsbry and Aguayo, 1933, is very similar, if not identical to Jvidia armata Carpenter, 1856. Max. size: 4.5 mn. Genus IJvidella Dall and Bartsch, 1909. Originally this was called Funicularia Monterosato, 1884, which is preoccupied (Lamarck). As stated earlier it was replaced by JIvidia with a type, mistakenly believed to belong to a different genus. So the genus JIvidella was erected, and the type selected was Odostomia (Ividia) navisa Dall and Bartsch, 1907. The type of Funicularia is the Mediterranean equivalent of navisa (I. excavata Philippi) so that Funicularia has become a synonym of Jvidella. This is sometimes misspelled Ividiella (Cossmann, 1921 and Nordsicela, 1972). They are strongly sculptured, somewhat tabulated small shells of easily recognized form. The nucleus is half immersed; the columellar plica is weak. 475. JIvidella navisa (Dall and Bartsch, 1907). Odostomia (Ividia) navisa Dall and Bartsch, 1907; Proc. Dobe Nat; Mugs). VOl. 633, ps 5137-516, .pl.. 46,. fig. 2.2a. Only a few specimens of an Jvidella that hardly can be differentiated from J. navisa have been taken off the Texas coast. The best specimen in the survey collection is possibly somewhat more tabulated that the figure in Dall and Bartsch (1909) indicates, and its sculpture is more developed, especially the spirals, but in overall aspect it is so close to J, excavata. I suspect that, as for many other micro-shells, many of these species live over much larger areas than is commonly believed and that several are worldwide in 61 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Mos. 3&4, July, 1993 tropical seas. Of both navisa and excavata a number of parallel forms have been described. Records HMNS survey collection: 3 lots from 12-51 fms., no live material at 12 fms off Port Isabel and at 50-51 fms off S. W. Pass (Louisiana). Geographical range: Abbott (1974) lists it only for the west coast of the U.S.A. E.P.A.: Monterey, California to Baja California (Abbott, 1974). Several closely resembling species in the Panamic faunal province are probably the same. Max. size: 2.0 mm. (top broken off) Genus Chrysallida Carpenter, 1856 Although I suspect that Chrysallida is merely a subgenus of , it must await confirmation by anatomical studies before it can be so used. Therefore, I will here use in the old sense as label for a few reticulate odostomiids. The type is Chemnustria communis C. B. Adams from Panama, which has a nucleus formed by at least two whorls forming a depressed helicoid spire, whose axis is at right angles to that of the succeeding turns exactly as in - Many species of Chrysallida have been described especially from the West coast of the U. S. A. among which there are a great number of synonyms. The outer sculpture of most of these is quite similar to that of Chrysallida communis, but the nucleus of many of them is partly or completely immersed. Whether those species should be considered Chrysallida is an open question. Here I label two species Chrysallida. 476. Chrysallida cancellata Orbigny, 1842 Chemnitria Orbigny, 1842. [in] Sagre, Hist l’The Cuba Moll., I, atlas 1853, pl. 17, figs. 1-3. Type from Cuba, recent. This species has been reported under several generic designations (Turbonilla, Dunkeria), but most authors now report it as Odostomjia. Its sculpture is well developed and quite characteristic; it consists of knobs arranged in spiral sequence. There is a strong plica and the nucleus is high and perched on top of the post nuclear whorls. Recently, DeJong and Coomans (1988) published an excellent figure (pl. 19, fig. 645) showing a shell completely identical with the single specimen of the survey collection. Record HMNS survey collection: 1 lot at 55 fms, off Cameron (La); no live material. Geographical range: "Off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, 14 62 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Nos. 3&4, July, 1993 fms., Cuba" (Abbot, 1974). - Curacao (deJong and Coomans, 1988). E.P.A.: not determined. Max. size: 1.7 mn. Genus Trabecula Monterosato, 1884 Shell strongly axially ribbed with ribs continuing over the base of the shell, but slowly diminishing in strength. Shape is somewhat pupiforn. Some ribs appear to be more strongly formed than other varices. There is no spiral sculpture. The nucleus is half immersed, and the columellar fold is very weak. Nordsieck (1972) was the first to suggest that Jrabecula Monterosato, 1884 is the valid name for the genus that Dall and Bartsch (1909) named Salassiella. 478. Trabecula laxa Dall and Bartsch, 1909 Odostomia (Salassiella) jJaxa Dall and Bartsch, 1909; Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. vol. 68, 1909, p. 133, pl. 13, figs. 8, 8a. (Scammon’s Lagoon, Lower, California.) This species has been reported from the west coast of the U.S.A. and the Mediterranean (Nordsieck, 1972). However, according to Aartsen (1975), the latter is Trabecula jeffreysiana Monterosato, 1884, a closely Similar species with synonym JT. undata Watson, 1897. In 1955, Bartsch described Salassiella balchi from the Pliocene of southern Florida, which is undoubtedly the same as the survey material. I do not believe that there are sufficient differences in shape and structure to conclude that TJ. balchi is different from T. laxa. also some other species described and reported from the west coast of the U.S.A. could be synonyms of 7. axa. The survey material demonstrates that Trabecula and Salassiella are identical. Figures in the literature mostly shows that species of fTrabecula (type fT. jeffreysiana Monterosato, 1884 = J. Fekih, 1959) (from Sepuenria M. S.) are more slender than Salassiella. a number of slender species was described from Japan by Nomura, 1938. One lot of the survey material suggests that both are identical. It contains two specimens, one slender, the other fatter. The latter is the spitting image of Salassiella balchi as figured by Bartsch, 1955 and the other is exactly as fig. 22 labelled Chrysallida jeffreysiana (Mtrs) by Aartsen, 1977. Most other material in the survey has the shape of T. Jaxa. I can only suggest here that T. laxa is more variable than most workers think possible. If indeed future research can prove the synonym of the 63 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Nos. 324, July, 1993 species mentioned here the name invented by Monterosato -- Trabecula jeffreysiana Monterosato, 1884 would be the correct one. Two very similar species from the same area are §. richi Dall and Bartsch, 1909 and S. heathi Smith and Gordon, 1948. Records HMNS survey collection: 6 lots from 8-40 fms., no live collected material most of it comes from rather shallow water off the Galveston - Heald Bank area [8-12 fms]; one from 30 fms on a calcareous algae bottom and one lot from Stetson Bank (30-40 fms.). Geographical range: Catalina Island to Baja California (Abbott, 1974). Perhaps worldwide under several names. E.P.A.: See geographical range. Max. size: 3.0 mm. once from the beach at San Luis Pass, Galveston Island. Genus Odostomella Bucquoy, Deutsenberg and Dollfus, 1883 Small pupiform shells with almost immersed heterostrophic nucleus. Worldwide in small numbers and with involved synonyms. The type is Rissoa doliolum Philippi, 1844. Other spellings encountered are Qdontostomiella Cossmann, 1921 and QOdostomiella Dall and Bartsch, 1904. De Folin in 1867 introduced the generic label Elodia for a shell now considered part of the morphological complex of QOdostomella doliolum. Upon discovery that Elodia was preoccupied it was changed to Elodiamea De Folin, 1884 so that the latter is a synonym of Qdostomella. Sometimes Doliella Monterosato, 1880 is cited as a synonym, but that is incorrect. 479. Odostomella c.f. doliolum Philippi, 1844 Rissoa doliolum Philippi, 1844; Enumeratio Moll. Siciliae, etc.', Vol. 2, p.-132, pl.*°23).0€ig.(18. Recent, Mediterranean. This probable worldwide species is found in small numbers on the offshore coral reefs along the margin of the Texas-Louisiana continental shelf. Is has been described by many authors, and its many forms have been named (mostly European) as: tricincta Jeffreys, regularis Folin, bisecta Tiberi, unicincta B. D. D.; cylindrica B. D. D., elongata Monterosato, bucquogi Lucard and hortensiae Nansounty, 1872. Very similar, if not the same species from Australia have been named Elodiamea opaca Hedley; Elodiamea fasciata Laseron, Qdostomia kymatodes Watson, 1886 and from South Africa 2 farica Bartsch, 1915; from Vietnam: Qdostomella graffeuvilli Saurin, 1959; from the Red Sea Pallary, 1926 = Odostomia chorea Hedley, 1909 and from the Hawaiian Islands: 64 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Mos. 3&4, July, 1993 Odostomella patricia Pilsbry, 1917 of which Pilsbry named two "varieties": rosea and rhodocephala. Among these many taxa are only a few or perhaps only a single species. Neither figures nor description of this material indicates that all these "species" are different. Among the Texas material are two somewhat different forms. One, here named doliolum Philippi is light cream colored, perhaps somewhat brownish, with two clearly established bands circling the body whorl. a much smaller form differs in many respects and is a beautiful golden amber color uniformly over the shell except that top which is sometimes slightly more reddish. This form will be reported under a separate heading but is considered here only a different morph of doliolum Philippi. Many of those occur in the Mediterranean. Records HMNS survey collection: 9 lots, from 23-55 fms., no demonstrably live collected material. All lots come from offshore bank environment (Stetson, 18 fms. lump, 24 fms lump, W. Flower Garden Bands and a drowned reef off Cameron (La). Geographical range: Mediterranean and South European and North African Atlantic coasts. Very similar species have been named from South Africa, Red Sea, Vietnam , Australia and Hawaii, and recently this species was described as Turbonilla fonteini deJong and Cossmann 1988.. E.P.A: No closely related forms in the Panamic faunal province. Max. size: 3.0 mm. but most specimens are under 2.3 mn. 480. Odostomella doliolum Philippi; different morph As stated above this is in outward appearance a quite different "species". It is uniformly amber colored with a reddish top, in which respect it resembles rhodocephala Pilsbry. When full grown, it is much smaller than goliolum Philippi. This form occurs in the same environment as 0. doliolum, but I believe it is not more than a morph, although it remains remarkable that all the survey material can be easily split without intermediate forms. All have been collected from calcareous biohermal algal habitat. (Stetson, Flower Garden Banks, off Cameron, La., etc.). (TO BE CONTINUED) 65 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Nos. 3&4, July, 1993 Rissopsetia hummelincki Faber (Gastropoda, Pyramidellidae) in Texas by H. Ode’ and T.R. Calnan? This is the first report of the gastropod species Rissopsetia hummelincki Faber, 1984 from the Texas coast. Dead shells of this species were found at three stations in the Lower Laguna Madre during an intensive sampling program of the Texas submerged lands in the Brownsville - Harlingen area (Calnan and Littleton, 1985; and White et al., 1986). It was taken from muddy sand samples at a water depth of approximately 1 to 4 feet. Earlier the species was found at San Luis Pass in the Galveston area, but was not recognized as a pyramidellid and was identified erroneously as Henrya sp. (Ode’, 1969). The genus Rissopsetia was created by Dell, 1956 for some minute gastropods of New Zealand (type R. maoria Dell, 1956). Faber described R. hummelincki (Pyramidellidae) from Grand Cayman Island and from Aruba off the coast of Venezuela (Faber, 1984). It is a very small species with a Clearly shouldered whorl, closely spaced radial riblets, and deep sutures. There is a somewhat immersed heterostrophic protoconch, and the collumella is slightly twisted. Placement of R. hummelincki in the Pyramidellidae should be confirmed by anatomical studies; it may be a rissoellid. Nothing is known about its biology. hummelincki was found at stations 8 (intensive sampling area), 312, and 379 in lower Laguna Madre at water depths of approximately 1 to 4 feet and in sediments of muddy sand (see White et al., 1986, for station locations). It was also obtained from station MBx1l1l in Matagorda Bay. Specimens have been deposited in the malacological collections at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Acknowledgement: We thank R.G. Molenbeek of the Instituut voor Taxonomische Zoologie in Amsterdam for his courtesy to prepare the photograph and to make a comparison with the Caribbean type material. 1 pr. Helmer Ode’, 3319 Big Bend Dr., Austin, Tx. 78731 2 pr. Tom Calnan, Biologist, Coastal Division, Resource Management, Stephen F. Austin Bldg., 1700 North Congress Ave., Austin, Tx. 78701-1495 66 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Wos. 3&4, July, 1993 References Cainan, OCT.R. and T.G. Littleton. 1985. Molluscan distribution in the submerged lands of Texas. Brownsville - Harlingen area. Texas Conchologist 22(1): 25-40. Faber, W.H. 1984. A new species of Rissopsetia (Gastropoda: Pyramidellidae) from the Caribbean Sea: Bulletin of the Zooloqisch Museum, Amsterdam 6: 110- a2. Ode, H. 1969. Henrya goldmani Bartsch, 1947. Texas Conchologist 7(8): 90-91. 2 figs. White, W.A., T.R. Calnan, R.A. Morton, R.S. Littleton, J.H McGowen, H.S. Nance, and K.E. Schmedes. 1986. Submerged lands of Texas. Brownsville-Harlingen area: sediments, geochemistry, benthic macroinvertebrates, and associated wetlands. The University of Texas at Austin. Bureau of Economic Geology. Special Publication. 138 pp. 6 plts. Rissopsetia hummelincki Faber, 1984 67 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Wos. 3&4, July, 1993 MONOGRAPH By H. ODE’ DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA IN THE NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO Family TURRIDAE Figures EDITORS NOTE: The following figures are photographs taken by Dr. Ode’ from specimens in the collection of the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences. These figures represent selected species of the Turridae presented in this monograph in the Texas Conchologist Vol. 28, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, and Vol. 29, No. 1. Figs. a Bactrocythara asarca (Dall & Simpson, 1901) G3SH1 3.72 mm. 50 fms, 20 min. drag, BCF, 69 mi SSE of Freeport, Tx. Sept 1, 1966. Fig. 2. Bactrocythara asarca (Dall & Simpson, 1901) GeSH1373 4.8 mm. Try net, shelly mud, 25 fms, 60 mi SSE of Galveston, Tx. Capt. I Kigut, Nov. 22, 1967. 68 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Nos. 3&4, July, 1993 Fig..3. Cryoturris cerinella (Dall, 1889) G3SH19 5.35 mm. "Seven Sisters" 2mi S of #1 Buoy, Heald Bank, 12 fms. 31 mi ESE of Galveston, Tx. H. Geis & W. Pierce Aug. 22, 1966. Fig. 4. Splendrillia (Fenimorea) moserj (Dall, 1889) Loc G32E26 15.5 mm. Trawled by BCF 18.5 mi NW of SW Pass, Mississippi River, LA. Aug. 10-25, 1965. 69 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Mos. 3&4, July, 1993 Fig. 5. Polystira albida (Perry, 1811) 1374 Try net, shelly mud, 20 fms. Capt. A. Kigut, 43 mi SSE of Freeport, Tx. Fig. 6. Polystira tellea (Dall, 1903) G3SH19 5.15 mm. 50 fms, 20 min. drag, BCF, 69 mi SSE of Freeport, Tx. Sept 1, 1966. 70 TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX, Mos. 3&4, July, 1993 Fig. 7. Agathotoma (Vitricythara) metria (Dall, 1903) G3SH19 5.15 mm. "Seven Sisters" 2 mi S of #1 Buoy, Heald Bank, 12 fms. 31 mi ESE of Galveston, Tx. H. Geis & W. Pierce Aug. 22, 1966. Fig. 8. Pyrgocythara (C.B. Adams, 1850) 1397 4.9 mm. Hoecker’s Pt., Galveston West Bay, on marsh flats. H. Geis Feb. 27, 1968. 71 EXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. MXIX, Mos. 3&4, July, 1993 Fig. 9. Kurtziella limonitella (Dall, 1884) G32W3. 6.65 mm. Trawled by BCF 25fms, 41 mi SSE of Galveston, TX. Aug. 10-25, 1965. Fig. 10. Kurtziella atrostyla (Tyron, 1884) G3SH9 6.4 mn. 20 min. dredge, BCF, 20 fms, 55 mi SE of Freeport, Tx. Dec. 7, 1966. 72 HOUSTON CONCHOLOGY SOCIETY, INC. Officers 1992-1993 President: Mary Martin Program Vice-President: Peg Demaret Field Trip Vice-President: Harry Sharp Treasurer: Cheryl Hood Recording Secretary: Marian Jordan Corresponding Secretary: Kathy Betley Directors Bill Oaks Darwin Alder Don Oats Connie Boone Luana Huggins Carl Vartin Immediate Past President: Jean Holman Editor, Texas Conchologist: Richard M. Yuill Honorary Life Members Constance E. Boone Dr. Helmer Ode’ TEXAS CONCHOLOGIST, Vol. XXIX , Nos. 3 & 4, July, 1993 TABLE OF CONTENTS SEARCH AND SEIZURE A Mussel Invasion at Corpus and Some Freshwater Mussel News By Constance E. Boone... 62s" se we ee ee 45 FLOWER GARDENS RECOGNITION CEREMONY By Constance E. Boone : . . 6 s «a 6's = =e 48 SPINY MUREX FROM THE RED SEA By Henk K. Mienis “30 20. sso G6) «see 50 WHY ARE YOU A COLLECTOR? 2.0. 2 6 6s 3s & 6) oe 52 DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA IN THE NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO (A Continuing Monograph: Superfamily PYRAMIDELLOIDEA, Family Pyramidellidae Part ITI) By Helmer Ode* (ou 2 8 we 8 ee es 53 HUMMELINCKI FABER (GASTROPODA, PYRAMIDELLIDAE) IN TEXAS By H. Ode’ and T.R. Cailnan « « © §s s)=s) =) 66 DISTRIBUTION AND RECORDS OF THE MARINE MOLLUSCA IN THE NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO Family Turridae Figures By H. Ode") wi eS oe es ee eee ee 68 263 LA aap ff 96/01/95) 198115 : ae , k i i { c+ i ii x | | i Ny .) i 7 i ‘ I [| | 4 } py) iy ny ie” ee ¥ PA a hal gatas chy i ( \ Di iM AW i ; one it ant hh “hy, / y mh i \ oe i 1 aii’ b te tc | ae ae i : it = ah ye : aif i! va f. i i é hy , 4 Gy Sa Lh PAN 4, We A ke My ey " i 5 i M hy Wa } ik ty av ‘ j 4 emiane mt Tee i ein) - ' f fh \ § a h ithe SMIT Fe Pebare Ing ey 0845 3557 oe wf SPELT BL. weeats