Marlo,

I can provide a Texas experiential counterpart for you.

Dosinia discus is available in massive quantities offshore Texas and
sometimes litters the beaches in the hundreds of thousands after winter
storms. Generically speaking, it is found across the entirety of Texas.  I
have found it living inside the inlet to Christmas Bay, which is at San Luis
Pass, southwest end of Galveston Island. The specimens there tend to be very
large.  (San Luis Pass is the outlet to the Gulf for west Galveston Bay, the
inlet to Christmas Bay is past it in west Galveston Bay)

Dosinia elegans on the other hand is scarce on Texas beaches.  Though it has
been occasional washed up on beaches from Galveston south, but is typically
only found with consistency on South Padre Island beaches, and specimens
tend to be small in size.

For me the two species are very distinct and not easily confused... without
regard to any habitat considerations.

Leslie

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