Former listserv member, Phil Poland of Clearwater, has done extensive
studies on the so-called Melongena corona subspecies/forms. His
conclusion was - there is but one species - it is Melongena corona.
The various forms, subspecies, sizes, colors, adnauseam,  are due to
enviromental factors and diet.  A summary of his work can be
found on the Jacksonville Shell Club (JSC) Web Pages in the "Past
Articles" section.

PS:  Don't forget Melongena corona sprucecreekensis Tucker, 1994.
If you collect in the type locality (Spruce Creek), you too will be
convinced
that this subspecies/form is but nonsense.  An article on a JSC expedition
to Spruce Creek/Rose Bay/Halifax River too can be found in the
JSC past articles section.  Some recent articles (Daytona Beach News
Journal for one) claim that this is a unique species, and since it is
only found in Spruce Creek (which is not true), it should be "listed as
an endangered species." Oh well!

Bill Frank
1865 Debutante Dr.
Jacksonville, Florida 32246
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----- Original Message -----
From: John Jacobs <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, July 09, 1999 10:25 AM
Subject: Re: Simple Melongenidae Question


> According to Abbott (American Seashells, p. 221/plate 12) Melongena corona
> johnstonei Clench and Turner, 1956 is found from Alabama to northwest
> Florida, and is elongate, shoulder tabulate or flattened, spines erect,
> color dark.
>
> In my experience, while M. corona is quite variable in all conchological
> aspects, it is generally more ovate than the subspecies johnstonei.  As
for
> color, corona ranges from albino to very dark.
>
> There are three other M. corona subspecies: bicolor (Say, 1927) ranging
from
> Miami to the Dry Tortugas; bisinosa (Philippi, 1844) in Yucatan, Mexico;
and
> altispira Pilsbry and Vanatta, 1934 from St. Augustine to Marco Island, FL
> but Abbott says this may be only an ecologic form.
>
> As for the soft parts, someone else will have to answer that.
>
> John
>
> John & Cheryl Jacobs
> Seffner, FL
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