Dear lister, att'n Andy R. and David C.,

I had the good fortune of receiving a gift from a fisherman buddy of mine
the night before last - a single valve of a pelycypod measuring 115 mm. (4
1/2 in.) found at a roadcut E. of U. S. 231 just above the Florida line in
S. E. Alabama.  It has a coiled groth pattern, 2.3 "whorls" by my
technique, and is clockwise in direction when viewed from the exterior.

I have seen this illustrated , but the only likeness I found was in
Ebenezer Emmons' NC report.  It is apparently Exogyra costata - no author
or date (although I suspect Conrad or Emmons is reponsible).

There are clear similarities to the modern Chamidae in the hinge and
general morphology, BUT there is only one large adductor scar, suggesting
that it is more likely an oyster.  I cannot find anything on Exogyra in
Moore, R. C. or in Thiele.  What gives?

Since it is likely an epifauna bivalve, which valve do I have - the
attached or "free" one?  The only place on this shell that shows any sign
of possible attachment is its earliest whorl, which constitutes no more
than one percent of its surface area.

I find it odd that I, admittedly a non-paleontologist, can find next to
nothing on this prodigious pelecypod using all the books I have carefully
assembled for such a search.
Harry G. Lee
Suite 500
1801 Barrs St.
Jacksonville, FL 32204
USA   904-384-6419
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Visit the Jacksonville Shell Club Home Page at:
http://home.sprynet.com/~wfrank/jacksonv.htm

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